Summary
The Donmar is looking for someone to cover our General Manager’s period of shared parental leave, from October 2025 to the end of April 2026. The role will suit an experienced theatre General Manager or HR professional, ideally with a qualification or equivalent professional experience.
More Details
The Donmar is looking for someone to cover our General Manager’s period of shared parental leave, from October 2025 to the end of April 2026.
The role will suit an experienced theatre General Manager or HR professional, ideally with a qualification or equivalent professional experience.
The General Manager is the HR lead for the organisation, supports the Executive Director with Board administration, and manages the theatre’s operations, HR and inclusion functions.
Reporting to: Executive Director
Working Relationships: This role manages the General Management team, consisting of the Executive and Governance Administrator, General Management Coordinator, Head of Operations and Head of Inclusion and Skills.
They are a key member of the Donmar’s Senior Management team, contributing to and supporting the Executive in the delivery of organisational strategy.
Terms: approx 0.6- 0.8 FTE, working predominantly from the office but occasional working from home if needed. We are open to suggestions from experienced candidates who may wish to deliver the role on a freelance basis (no less than 3 days per week).
Salary: £60k FTE pro rata (or equivalent freelance fee to be negotiated)
Application Deadline: 10am, Wednesday 10 September
Interview date: week beginning Monday 15 September
How to apply: To apply please complete the online application form, including Supporting Statement and upload your CV to our Careers Portal
Responsibilities
People and culture
- Holding the HR and Culture strategy for the organisation, supporting inclusion, wellbeing and engagement with our people, and dealing with HR issues as they arise.
- Manage all policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff have appropriate access and we are compliant and up to date.
- Manage the HR and GM budget lines.
- With the Executive Director and Director of Finance, manage the salaries budget and sign off monthly payroll.
- Manage systems to ensure workforce data is captured for monitoring required by internal KPIs, funders and stakeholders.
- Act as the Donmar lead for complaints and grievances process with support from the Executive as required. Liaise with HR specialists and employment lawyers as required.
Strategy & Business Planning
- Supporting the ED with delivery of the Donmar’s business plan, including maintaining KPI reporting frameworks.
Governance
- Create agendas and oversee minutes and the scheduling of meetings with support from the Executive and Governance Administrator.
- Work with the ED on the drafting and collation of Board and subcommittee papers and agendas.
- Ensure follow-up of actions for Board members, Executive, and SMT.
- Maintain the Board’s register of interests and personal details; administrate Companies House/Charity Commission paperwork with the Director of Finance.
- Support the Executive and Chair with reviewing governance processes and membership as necessary.
Operations
- Ensure the Donmar’s premises and systems are well run and that the theatre and offices are a safe and comfortable place to work, with the support of the Head of Operations.
Inclusion and access
- With the Head of Inclusion and Skills be the strategic lead for the Donmar’s EDI and Access strategy, engaging relevant teams to ensure the Donmar is welcoming to audiences, artists and staff and delivering industry best practice.
- Be a point of contact for artists and staff with access needs, supporting with facilitating access riders during their engagement with the Donmar.
Legal, contracting, risk and compliance
- Ensure risk management is maintained across the organisation, including the updating of the risk register, in liaison with the Director of Finance.
- Act as the point of contact for external legal advisors regarding HR or organisational matters.
- Act of the point of contact for our insurers. Ensure there are timely renewals and insurers are kept up to date with details of any possible claims.
Line Management
- Manage the Executive and Governance Administrator, General Management Coordinator, Head of Operations and Head of Inclusion and Skills.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Knowledge and experience
- Strong knowledge of best practice HR processes, employment law, equality legislation, role and staffing structure design and recruitment, ideally with a recognised professional qualification or substantial experience gained in a similar role.
- Experience of managing teams.
- Experience of working with charity Boards, ideally in a supporting role and/or as Company Secretary.
- Experience writing, reviewing and managing policies (especially HR policies).
- Experience contributing to, and supporting the delivery of, organisational strategy. Understanding of theatre operations, processes, and roles — or experience working within a creative environment.
- A passionate advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion with experience of delivering best practice in this area.
- Experience of overseeing accessibility programmes for d/Deaf and disabled audiences and staff.
Skills and abilities
- Strong line management and interpersonal skills; able to communicate clearly and confidently with a wide range of people and stakeholders.
- Experience managing budgets.
- Exceptional organisational skills; able to prioritise effectively, work under pressure, and adapt to new situations.
- Practical problem solver with a can-do attitude and keen attention to detail.
- Collaborative team player, able to balance competing demands and build strong working relationships across the organisation.
Organisation
Donmar Warehouse
Salary (Exact)
£60k FTE pro rata (or equivalent freelance fee to be negotiated)
Closing Date
10/09/2025
Contract Type
Fixed Term, Hybrid, Part Time
Job Type
Administrative (Venue Management, HR, Finance, Legal, IT, etc.)
