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FOH Manager
Job Title: FOH Manager (Paid)
Contract Type: Freelance (May – 31st August 2025), Hours as per work schedule.
Reporting to: Operations Director
About OVO
OVO is an award winning theatre production and management company based in St Albans. We create bold, imaginative and surprising new versions of classic plays and stories. We have staged well over 100 productions since we were founded in 2003. We are particularly well known for our off the wall musical Shakespeares – from As You Like It set in the summer of love, to Twelfth Night on a 1920s cruise liner. We have also developed a strong reputation for “first revivals” by some of the country’s leading contemporary playwrights, from Lucy Kirkwood to David Eldridge. Live music, dynamic movement and film are all important elements of our style, and we have toured extensively – from London’s off West End to the Edinburgh Festival, a range of leading mid-scale venues and iconic outdoor theatres like The Minack in Cornwall.
Job Overview
Are you a dynamic and proactive individual with a passion for the arts, and excited by supporting our team to deliver exceptional commercial results? We are seeking a talented individual to join the vibrant team at OVO, a leading theatre company based in St Albans.
OVO is looking to engage a freelance Front of House Manager, to run the Front of House Operation at the Roman Theatre Festival at this Summers Festival.
Key Responsibilities
- FOH team and rota: Manage the FOH team and deliver exceptional customer service at all times during the Festival. Book staff as required and manage the FOH rota accordingly including team training and contracts. Direct line management of all Duty Managers.
- FOH retail standards and sales: Ensure retail standards are consistently met and retail sales targets are achieved.
- FOH standards/ cleanliness: Ensure the defined standards are met and maintained at all times.
- FOH get in and get out: Manage the FOH setup, get in and get out at the Roman Theatre Festival.
- Help@, Members@: Ensure these email inboxes are managed 7 days a week and our responses are competent and meet our response time promises.
- Customer access requirements: Manage all access requests at the Roman Theatre and ensure our customers needs are met as much as possible.
- Duty Management sheets: Produce and manage all Duty Management information sheets.
- Box office telephone: Ensure this is monitored and responded to as promised with our customer service proposition.
- Customer feedback: Ensure the FOH team understands and responds to all customer feedback as appropriate.
- Day to day operations: Manage the areas of the Roman Theatre on a day to day basis as agreed with the Operations Director. Develop effective working relationships with Ovo team members, contractors and Ovo visitors.
- Consumables: Ensure day to day consumables such as toilet roll, bin bags, hand wash etc. are kept well stocked at all times.
- Finance: Work closely with the Operations Director to ensure all relevant costs are kept in line with agreed budgets
- Stock management: Manage all stock levels, orders and receipt of deliveries.
- FOH POS: Manage Zettle and all FOH selling equipment
Person Specification
We are looking for a person who is able to work competently and independently in an important Managerial role and support other members of the team. They will likely be confident, a self-starter, resourceful, well-organised, with good attention to detail. They will be able to work to their own initiative and be comfortable working under deadline pressure.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Well organised and high attention to detail
- Passion for excellent customer service
- Proactive and a positive attitude
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable with using various digital platforms
- Flexibility with working hours that meet the needs of the Festival
Additional Information
Commitment: 25 Hours per week. The role will be paid at £15 per hour.
Application Deadline: 23:59 Monday, 5th May 2025
Interview Date: Wednesday 7th May 2025
Start Date: Immediate on appointment
This is a hybrid-working role so some flexibility with home/on-site working is anticipated but it will mainly be an on site role.
The successful candidate must be:
- Able to attend and work on-site at performance venues and offices in St Albans, as and when required;
- Able to attend the Roman Theatre site as the operation requires.
How to Apply
To apply, please email an up to date CV in Word, PDF or GoogleDoc format, along with a cover letter of 1-page max, explaining why you fit the role. Please email your application to martin@ovo.org.uk by 23:59 5th May 2025. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
The interview will be 60 mins and will involve a friendly, Q&A competency-based interview (45 mins) and a scenario assessment.
OVO is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Marketing and PR Assistant - APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Job Title: Marketing and PR Assistant
Contract Type: Freelance (May – 31st August 2025), 5 days per week (40 hours).
Reporting to: Marketing Manager and Associate Director
About OVO
OVO is an award winning theatre production and management company based in St Albans. We create bold, imaginative and surprising new versions of classic plays and stories. We have staged well over 100 productions since we were founded in 2003. We are particularly well known for our off the wall musical Shakespeares – from As You Like It set in the summer of love, to Twelfth Night on a 1920s cruise liner. We have also developed a strong reputation for “first revivals” by some of the country’s leading contemporary playwrights, from Lucy Kirkwood to David Eldridge. Live music, dynamic movement and film are all important elements of our style, and we have toured extensively – from London’s off West End to the Edinburgh Festival, a range of leading mid-scale venues and iconic outdoor theatres like The Minack in Cornwall.
Job Overview
We are looking for a highly organised and creative Marketing and PR Assistant to support our marketing and communications team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in promoting OVO’s productions, managing press relations, as well as maintaining our digital and printed materials.
Key Responsibilities
Marketing & Content Management
- Curate and manage the content for show programmes, liaising with actors, directors, and the marketing team to gather materials.
- Oversee the print management of promotional materials, ensuring deadlines are met and quality standards maintained.
- Update and maintain the OVO website, including show pages, blog posts, and other digital content.
- Draft and schedule the newsletter, ensuring engaging and timely content.
PR & Communications Support
- Support the Marketing Manager in coordinating interviews, sending out Q&As, and other media opportunities.
- Liaise with the marketing manager and production team to book creatives, and team members for PR-led events and promotional opportunities.
- Proofread press releases and marketing materials to ensure accuracy and clarity.
- Manage press tickets and coordinate guest lists for press nights and special events.
General Administration & Support
- Provide administrative support to the marketing and PR team as required.
- Assist where necessary with content creation for social media and marketing campaigns, including writing copy and scheduling posts.
- Assist in monitoring press coverage
- Support the planning and execution of promotional campaigns and events.
Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent proofreading ability.
- Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Familiarity with updating websites (WordPress experience is desirable).
- Ability to liaise effectively with multiple stakeholders, including creatives, press, and marketing teams.
- Passion for theatre and the arts.
Desirable Skills & Experience:
- Previous experience in a marketing or PR role within the arts or cultural sector.
- Experience using design software (e.g., Canva) for content creation.
- Knowledge of email marketing platforms (e.g., DotDigital).
- Experience in social media management.
Additional Information
- The working pattern will be flexible to accommodate the festival’s busy seven-day operation, and will include working at different times of the day, including some evenings, to meet the needs of the organisation (Examples of this include attending promotional events, photo shoots and press nights).
- The role will involve occasional travel to theatre venues and local promotional events (Harpenden and St Albans).
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role to faye@ovo.org.uk. The closing date for applications is Sunday 20th April 2025. Interviews will take place w/c 21st April. The interview will be 60 mins and will involve a friendly, Q&A competency-based interview.
OVO is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds.