Chief Operating Officer at Arnolfini

Chief Operating Officer
Working Hours: 40 hours a week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: c.£65k

• 24 days holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme up to 6%.
• Staff discounts at Arnolfini Café Bar and Bookshop.
• Flexible working options.
• A vibrant workplace in Bristol’s harbourside.
  Professional development opportunities.

 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This is a newly created role at Arnolfini. Its main purpose is to work closely with the Director and the Board to drive positive change across the organisation, provide financial leadership, and bring an entrepreneurial approach to maximising income generation and new business and partnership opportunities. The new COO will play a pivotal role in helping to shape and oversee the delivery of a new financially sustainable business model to underpin Arnolfini’s vision and future ambitions. They will also help to define and ensure the implementation of effective and integrated strategies and plans which enhance and develop Arnolfini’s activities across a wide range of visitors, customers, supporters and stakeholders.

The COO is responsible for the strategic leadership of Arnolfini’s financial, commercial, administrative, operational and estates functions. As such, they are a key member of the Senior Executive Team and required to attend Board and committee meetings and to report directly to the Trustees across these areas. The COO will support the Director in holding and nurturing complex external stakeholder relationships with Arts Council England, University of the West of England (UWE) and other major project and development partners.

The COO serves as Company Secretary for Arnolfini and deputises for the Director as required.

This role is ideal for an action-oriented leader with drive, passion, and a commitment to Arnolfini’s mission, staff, and values.

 

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead financial strategy, ensuring compliance, sound planning, and strong financial oversight.
• Develop budgets with the Director and oversee financial performance.
• Produce financial reports, including annual statements.
• Manage legal and statutory matters including annual audit, VAT and corporation tax returns.
• Monitor KPIs and ensure financial systems and controls meet legal and operational needs.
• Manage treasury functions, cash flow, and investment of reserves.

Commercial Strategy

• Develop and deliver a commercial strategy to drive income growth.
• Oversee earned income streams (retail, catering, online) and improve customer service.
• Identify and assess new business opportunities, supporting strategic decision making.
• Foster a commercial mindset across the team, ensuring best-value contracts and cost efficiencies.
• Maximise fundraising and income-generation opportunities linked to Arnolfini’s programming.

Operations & Estates

• Lead estates and operations, ensuring efficiency and high-performance standards.
• Serve as senior liaison with UWE’s Estates Team on building matters.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety, and cybersecurity.
• Oversee risk management, business continuity, and insurance policies.
• Support audience growth and visitor experience enhancement.
• Plan and oversee capital works and maintenance priorities in collaboration with the Director.

Administration & HR

• Lead HR strategy, supporting the Director to uphold an effective staffing structure while ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Work closely with the Director to support staff development through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Promote an inclusive, high-performance culture aligned with Arnolfini’s values.
• Oversee governance requirements, Board reporting, and record-keeping.
• Ensure a strong health and safety culture and compliance with all statutory obligations.
 

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Personnel Specification:

Role Specific Competencies:

Financial Management

• A professional accountancy qualification (ACA or ACCA) or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of charity accounting / SORP.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of competence in financial management and the development and implementation of financial policy and procedures, as well as in strategic planning.
• A good working knowledge of the use of information technology in financial, commercial and operational management.

Commercial & Operations

• Strong knowledge of procurement and contracting arrangements.
• Up to date knowledge of HR and Health & Safety legislation.
• Experience of managing commercial and business partnerships in a third sector (or similar) environment.
• Experience and understanding of governance in a third sector (or similar) environment.

Change Management

• Able to critically appraise existing strategy, systems and processes and to identify and lead organisational changes to increase business effectiveness.
• Ability to generate new ideas and suggestions for change.
• Ability to manage change and respond and adapt to changing circumstances.

Leadership and Management

• Ability to motivate and provide leadership to ensure effective performance against specific goals.
• Manage the development and performance of staff through coaching, mentoring, and peer support.

Building Relationships

• Experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of Board level reporting.

 

To see more details of the post, please visit Chief Operating Officer - Arnolfini. Please apply by 9am Monday 3 March 2025. Sorry, but applications after this time will not be considered.

Interviews will be held Tuesday 11/Thursday 13/ Friday 14 March 2025 with a start date planned as soon as possible.

Please read the Chief Operating Officer Job Description and Personal Specification.

If you would like to apply, please email your CV and expression of interest to: recruitment@arnolfini.org.uk

If you have any other questions regarding this role, please contact recruitment@arnolfini.org.uk

 

Our commitment to diversity

Arnolfini values representation and strives to promote equality and diversity at all levels. We welcome and encourage applications from those currently underrepresented in our workforce and in the arts community; particularly people of colour, and disabled people (as defined by the Equality Act 2010). We are committed to managing a fair and equitable recruitment process.

We will guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who fulfils the minimum criteria for the role as described in the Personal Specification.