Head of Operations & Earned Income

About the Role

The Head of Operations & Earned Income is a new, senior role created to drive the commercial sustainability of Pushkin House. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this person will take strategic and operational ownership of all earned income streams arising from the organisation’s physical assets, brand, and programme activities.

This is an entrepreneurial role for someone who combines strong operational management with creative commercial thinking. The successful candidate will be responsible for maximising revenue from the Bloomsbury townhouse — through venue hire, bar and catering, bookshop operations, tenant management, and new income-generating initiatives — while ensuring that all commercial activity is in harmony with Pushkin House’s charitable mission and programming.

The role also encompasses day-to-day operational leadership: managing the front-of-house and Bookshop team, overseeing building logistics, and ensuring that the visitor experience reflects the quality and ambition of the programme.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive earned income strategy aligned with the organisation’s five-year plan, setting annual revenue targets and reporting progress to the Executive Director and Board.
• Strategically manage and grow the venue hire business, negotiating competitive rates, developing new client relationships, and ensuring high-quality event delivery that is sensitive to the building’s heritage and programming calendar.
• Oversee bar and catering operations for events and public programming, managing supplier relationships, licensing, stock, and margins to maximise profitability.
• Identify, research, and pitch new commercial opportunities to the Executive Director with detailed feasibility assessments and income forecasts.
• Explore the commercial potential of underutilised spaces, including the basement, and develop business cases for their activation.
• Work with the Marketing Manager to promote commercial offerings through appropriate channels.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership, including managing the front-of-house and Bookshop team and overseeing building logistics to ensure an excellent visitor experience.

Job Requirements

Essential

• A strong entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of identifying and delivering new revenue streams, ideally within a cultural, heritage, or not-for-profit setting
• Demonstrable experience of managing commercial operations with profit and loss responsibility
• Experience of venue hire, hospitality, or events management
• Proven budget management skills and financial literacy
• Experience of line managing and developing a team
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
• An understanding of the unique challenges of running commercial activities within a charitable organisation, where mission integrity must be maintained
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work across teams and with external partners, tenants, and clients
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a small, fast-paced organisation where flexibility is essential

Desirable

• Experience working in or with arts organisations, museums and galleries.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) explaining your suitability for the role to recruitment@pushkinhouse.org.uk with the subject line ‘Head of Operations & Earned Income’ until 1 September 2026, 12 pm. Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Further details: https://www.pushkinhouse.org/about/jobs