The Casual Duty Supervisor plays a vital role in the safe, professional, and successful operation of Melksham Assembly Hall, Melksham Town Hall, and associated Council venues. Acting as the senior operational lead during allocated shifts, the postholder will oversee events, performances, venue hires, community activities, private functions, and civic events, ensuring high standards of customer service, safety, presentation, and compliance are maintained at all times. The role includes supervising casual staff, overseeing bar operations, supporting performers, hirers, and contractors, and ensuring all activities are delivered in accordance with licensing requirements, health and safety legislation, safeguarding responsibilities, and Council policies. The Casual Duty Supervisor will take responsibility for operational decision-making during events, resolving issues as they arise and ensuring customers, performers, staff, and visitors enjoy a safe, welcoming, and professional experience. Working closely with the Venues Manager and Venues Officer, the postholder contributes directly to the Council's objective of providing accessible, inclusive, welcoming, and commercially successful venues that support community life in Melksham.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Includes but are not limited to:
Duty Management and Operational Responsibility
- Act as the senior member of staff on duty and take responsibility for the safe and effective operation of the venue during allocated shifts.
- Undertake Duty Supervisor responsibilities for events, performances, venue hires, community activities, and civic functions.
- Make operational decisions in the absence of the Venues Manager or Venues Officer where appropriate.
- Ensure events are delivered in line with operational plans, venue procedures, and customer expectations.
- Liaise directly with hirers, performers, production crews, contractors, security personnel, suppliers, and visiting organisations.
- Support venue opening and closing procedures, including venue security and alarm systems.
- Monitor venue presentation and ensure facilities remain welcoming, clean, safe, and fit for purpose throughout events.
- Complete event reports, incident reports, and shift records as required.
Team Leadership and Supervision
- Supervise Casual Venue Assistants and front of house teams during events and venue operations.
- Allocate duties and monitor performance to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
- Provide guidance, support, training, and leadership to casual staff.
- Lead by example and promote high standards of customer service, professionalism, and teamwork.
- Assist with the induction and development of new casual staff.
- Conduct staff briefings before events and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.
Customer and Client Service
- Deliver outstanding customer service to visitors, customers, venue hirers, performers, contractors, and partners.
- Act as a point of contact during events and venue hires.
- Resolve customer enquiries, concerns, and complaints promptly and professionally.
- Build positive relationships with hirers and customers to encourage repeat business and positive experiences.
- Support the Council's commitment to providing inclusive and accessible venues for all users.
Event Delivery and Venue Operations
- Support all aspects of event delivery, including planning, setup, operation, turnaround, and breakdown
- Coordinate room layouts, seating plans, staging, furniture, and venue equipment requirements
- Assist performers, touring companies, event organisers, community groups, and venue hirers throughout events.
- Monitor audience behaviour and support crowd management arrangements where required.
- Ensure event spaces remain clean, organised, safe, and presentable during and after events.
- Assist with the movement and setup of furniture, staging, barriers, and equipment.
Bar Operations
- Oversee day-to-day bar operations during events.
- Ensure the responsible and lawful sale of alcohol in line with licensing legislation and Council procedures.
- Supervise bar staff and support efficient service delivery.
- Challenge inappropriate alcohol sales and ensure age verification procedures are followed.
- Undertake cash handling, till operation, and cashing-up procedures as required.
- Monitor stock levels and report shortages or issues.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and presentation in bar areas.
Health, Safety and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, licensing requirements, fire regulations, venue procedures, and Council policies.
- Conduct pre-event safety inspections and operational checks.
- Monitor venue occupancy levels and ensure safe capacity limits are maintained.
- Support emergency procedures and act as the responsible person during incidents and evacuations until further management support is available.
- Record and report accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards, defects, and maintenance concerns.
- Promote safe working practices amongst staff, customers, contractors, and venue users.
- Support safeguarding responsibilities relating to children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
- Ensure risk assessments, event procedures, and venue regulations are adhered to at all times.
Administration and Reporting
- Maintain accurate event records and operational documentation.
- Complete incident, accident, and event reports as required.
- Report operational concerns and opportunities for improvement to the Venues Manager and Venues Officer.
- Support the consistent implementation of venue procedures and standards.
- Communicate effectively with venue staff and management before, during, and after events.
General
- Maintain high standards of professionalism and customer care.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of venue services and customer experience.
- Attend training sessions and meetings as required.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, hirers, and volunteers.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the nature and level of the role.
Other Responsibilities
- To act as a representative of the Council and positively promote its services within the local community.
- To work in a way that does not divulge personal and/or confidential information and follow the Council's policies and procedures in relation to data protection and security of information.
- To promote equality, diversity, and inclusion and be aware of your own actions and those of others. All employees are responsible for eliminating unfair and unlawful discrimination in everything that they do.
- To participate in training and development opportunities.
- To fully utilise the Council's HR and staff management systems.
- Performing any other relevant duties which may be assigned from time to time by the Council.
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential:
- A good standard of education, with a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)
- Willingness to undertake training relevant to the role
Desirable:
- Personal Licence Holder
- First Aid at Work qualification
- Fire Marshal training
- Food Hygiene qualification
- Safeguarding training
- IOSH Working Safely or similar Health & Safety qualification
Work Experience
Essential:
- Experience in hospitality, licensed premises, events, leisure facilities, entertainment venues, or other customer-facing environments
- Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or teams
- Experience dealing with customers in a busy operational environment
- Experience handling cash and operating tills or EPOS systems
Desirable:
- Experience undertaking Duty Manager or supervisor responsibilities.
- Experience within entertainment venues, theatres, community venues, or live event
- Experience supervising bar operations
- Experience supporting health and safety compliance
- Experience working with performers, promoters, contractors, or event organisers
General Skills, Knowledge, and Aptitude
Essential:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions
- Understanding of health and safety responsibilities
- Ability to prioritise tasks and work independently
- Good problem-solving skills
- Ability to lead and motivate a team
Desirable:
- Knowledge of venue operations and event management
- Knowledge of licensing legislation
- Understanding of risk assessments and event safety management
- Basic understanding of staging, lighting, sound, or event production
Communication Skills
Essential:
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Ability to communicate confidently with customers, colleagues, contractors, performers, and community groups
- Ability to deal professionally with complaints and difficult situations
- Ability to provide clear instructions to staff and volunteers
Desirable:
- Experience liaising with performers, promoters, touring companies, venue hirers, or external stakeholders
Personal Qualities and Other
Essential:
- Friendly, approachable, and professional manner
- Reliable, honest, and trustworthy
- Positive attitude and willingness to help
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work
- Self-motivated and confident
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required
- Must be aged 18 or over due to the nature of the role and sale of alcohol
Desirable:
- Local knowledge of Melksham and the surrounding area
- Full UK Driving Licence
T's & C's
Salary: £14.45 per hour
This is a casual position with flexible hours worked according to the needs of the business. Hours will vary and will include evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and other event days as required.
Recruitment Process
Closing date: 24th August 2026 at 1200 noon.
As we are seeking the right candidate for this post to start as soon as possible, Melksham Town Council reserves the right to withdraw this job advertisement without prior notice.
Interviews: Details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
Application is strictly via the application form contained in this ad. Please do not send a generic CV. Completed applications should be returned via email to: [email protected]
More information about Melksham Town Council can be found on their website at: https://www.melksham-tc.gov.uk/
If you would like an informal chat about this vacancy, please contact our Venues Manager, Robert Reay-Waugh, at [email protected]
Pay: £14.45 per hour
Work Location: In person
