HIVE Coffee Shop & Gallery, Blackpool
£26,000 – £28,000 + Monthly Performance Bonus
Help Shape the Next Chapter of HIVE
HIVE is an award-winning independent coffee shop, gallery and community venue in the heart of Blackpool.
For more than eight years, we've built a reputation for great food, exceptional coffee, welcoming service, and a commitment to supporting creativity and the arts.
We're now looking for an Operations & Venue Manager to help lead the next stage of HIVE's development.
This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys hospitality, believes in high standards, values community, and wants to play a meaningful role in an established independent business.
The Role
This is not a traditional coffee shop manager position.
You'll work alongside the owner and supervisory team to maintain exceptional standards across the business, support and develop staff, improve day-to-day operations, and help maximise the potential of our gallery and community spaces.
You'll spend much of your time where it matters most: supporting the team, engaging with customers, developing people, maintaining standards and ensuring the venue runs smoothly.
This is a hands-on leadership role with genuine opportunity to influence and shape the future direction of HIVE.
Key Responsibilities
Hospitality Operations
- Maintain exceptional customer service standards
- Support daily operations across the venue
- Lead by example during busy periods
- Ensure consistency in food, drink and service quality
- Monitor operational performance and identify improvements
- Support stock management and waste reduction
- Ensure the venue is always welcoming, clean and professionally presented
Team Leadership & Development
- Coach and support team members
- Develop confidence and capability within the supervisory team
- Maintain accountability and consistency
- Assist with recruitment, onboarding and training
- Help create a positive, professional and high-performing culture
Gallery, Events & Community Engagement
- Support the planning and delivery of exhibitions
- Build positive relationships with artists and creative organisations
- Work alongside the HIVEArts volunteer team
- Help increase engagement with gallery activity
- Assist with exhibition launches and events
- Support community partnerships and projects
About You
You are likely to:
- Notice things others miss
- Take ownership and solve problems
- Lead confidently without needing to dominate
- Enjoy developing people
- Thrive in a customer-facing environment
- Care about quality, consistency and detail
- Be as comfortable talking to artists as you are leading a busy service
You understand that great venues are built through people, standards and relationships.
Essential Experience
- Hospitality management or supervisory experience
- Strong customer service background
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience leading teams
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
Desirable Experience
- Independent hospitality business experience
- Retail and merchandising
- Events or community engagement experience
- Interest in art, exhibitions or creative projects
- Marketing or social media awareness
- Experience working with volunteers or community groups
What We Offer
- £26,000 – £28,000 salary
- Monthly performance bonus
- Significant autonomy and responsibility
- Opportunity to influence the future direction of HIVE
- Staff discounts
- Supportive and creative working environment
- A role that combines hospitality, creativity and community
How to Apply
Please send:
- Your CV
- A covering letter (maximum one page)
In your covering letter, please tell us:
1. What attracts you to HIVE?
2. How do you think hospitality, creativity and community can work together to create a great venue?
Pay: £26,000.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
