News and Opportunities

We Are Recruiting:

Head of Operations

Job Description

1. Job Details
Job title: Head of Operations
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Organisation: Dunamaise Arts Centre, Laois Arts Theatre CLG
Location: Dunamaise Arts Centre, Church Street, Portlaoise
Contract: Permanent, full-timeProbationary period: 6 months
Hours of work: 39 hours per week, flexibly rostered across Monday to Sunday, including evenings and weekends
Salary: €45,000 per annum

2. Purpose of the Role
The Head of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of Dunamaise Arts Centre, translating the organisation’s programme, staffing plans and management decisions into safe, coordinated and well-documented daily operations.

The post-holder will ensure the venue is ready for staff, artists, hirers, contractors and audiences, and that operational issues are identified, recorded, escalated and resolved in a timely manner. The role is managerial and coordinative in nature. Specialist technical work involving rigging, flying, electrical systems, stage machinery or other safety-critical equipment must only be carried out by appropriately competent and authorised personnel.

3. Key Responsibilities
3.1 Operations and Venue Management
Coordinate the day-to-day operation of the venue in line with the programme, hires, staffing levels and approved budgets.

Prepare and maintain venue opening, closing and event-readiness procedures.

Ensure public areas, backstage spaces, offices and operational workspaces are ready and presentable.

Maintain a live operational calendar covering performances, cinema, exhibitions, workshops, hires, maintenance and deliveries.

Lead operational briefings ahead of significant events and ensure post-event issues are captured.

Coordinate with the on-site café operator and other partners where events affect shared spaces or services.

3.2 Staff Coordination and Supervision
Coordinate staff deployment and rotas across front of house, box office, technical, cleaning and casual event staff, subject to CEO approval.

Work with the CEO, the named Duty Manager, technical lead, front of house lead and emergency responsibilities for events.

Monitor attendance, breaks, rest periods, shift handovers and agreed TOIL arrangements.

Support induction, cross-training and day-to-day supervision of employees, casual staff, volunteers and contractors.

Escalate conduct, capability, welfare, attendance, grievance, disciplinary or union matters to the CEO. The role does not carry authority to make commitments on pay, contract terms, disciplinary outcomes, recruitment or termination.

3.3 Event, Audience and Hirer Delivery
Act as Duty Manager, or designate an approved Duty Manager, for performances, screenings, hires, workshops and community events.

Check event files, contracts, settlement arrangements, technical requirements, staffing and audience information ahead of each event.

Ensure front of house, box office, auditorium and public areas are ready before doors open.

Coordinate audience access, accessibility requirements and emergency responses, and manage event close-down.

Liaise professionally with visiting companies, artists, promoters, schools, community groups and hirers.

3.4 Building, Facilities and Maintenance
Maintain a facilities and maintenance tracker covering defects, servicing, inspections, repairs and contractor actions.

Coordinate service providers for heating and ventilation, alarms, fire equipment, emergency lighting, IT and general repairs.

Ensure contractors sign in, receive relevant safety information and provide completion documentation where required.

Monitor cleaning standards, waste, stock levels and public-space presentation.

Support capital works, equipment replacement and procurement by gathering specifications and quotations for CEO approval.

3.5 Health, Safety, Security and Compliance
Support delivery of the Safety Statement, fire procedures, emergency plans, child safeguarding requirements and event risk assessments.

Ensure accidents, incidents, near misses and security concerns are recorded promptly and escalated appropriately.

Maintain an updated and accurate risk register.

Maintain key, code, alarm and building-access controls.

Coordinate evacuation and emergency response when acting as Duty Manager, and monitor working-time compliance.

3.6 Systems, Administration and Reporting
Maintain accurate operational records, schedules, event sheets and contractor files.

Use Ticketsolve, Microsoft 365, HR/time-recording systems and other approved systems within the permissions assigned.

Protect personal, confidential and commercially sensitive data in line with organisational policy.

Prepare a weekly operational report for the CEO covering programme delivery, staffing, maintenance, incidents and risks.

Support approved purchasing and stock control, ensuring no unapproved financial commitments are made.

3.7 Environmental and Sustainability Responsibilities
Support practical reductions in energy, water use, waste and unnecessary purchasing.

Promote recycling, responsible disposal and efficient use of venue systems and equipment.

Coordinate and write reports as required.

4. Person Specification
The following criteria will be used in shortlisting and selection.

Essential:
Over 5 years’ experience in venue, event, hospitality, cultural, facilities or public-facing operations.

Strong organisational judgement and the ability to coordinate people, contractors and competing priorities.

A practical understanding of health and safety, risk assessment and working-time obligations.

Clear written and verbal communication and the ability to produce concise management reports.

Professional discretion, reliability, calm decision-making and respect for confidentiality.

Ability to work flexibly across daytime, evening and weekend activity.

Desirable:
Experience of live events, audiences, customer service and incident response.

Confidence using digital systems, scheduling tools, ticketing systems such as Ticketsolve, or time-recording platforms.

5. Terms and Conditions
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Probationary period: 6 months from date of commencement
Salary: €45,000 per annumHours of work: 39 hours per week, flexibly rostered across Monday to Sunday, including evenings and weekends
Annual leave: As set out in the contract of employment
Location: Dunamaise Arts Centre, Church Street, Portlaoise
Notice period: As set out in the contract of employment

6. General
This job description is a guide to the duties of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. It may be reviewed and amended by the CEO from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the organisation, in consultation with the post-holder.

Dunamaise Arts Centre is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible and supportive working environment.

7. How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to Ciara O’Connell at ceo@dunamaise.ie by Friday, 18 September 2026.

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role before applying, please contact Ciara O’Connell at ceo@dunamaise.ie.

Dunamaise Arts Centre is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible and supportive working environment.

See also our opportunities for artists at Dunamaise.