Box Office Manager (Maternity Cover) - Reading Arts

Fixed term maternity cover - Full time, 37 Hours per week

Are you an experienced and customer-focused Box Office professional ready to lead a dynamic team? We’re looking for a talented Box Office Manager (to cover a maternity leave) to oversee ticketing operations across Reading’s vibrant arts venues – including The Hexagon, South Street Arts Centre, and The Concert Hall. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role at the heart of Reading’s cultural scene, ensuring seamless ticketing services for audiences, visiting companies, and promoters.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role:
To find out more about the various venues around Reading please visit: https://whatsonreading.com

As our Box Office Manager, you’ll lead and motivate a dedicated team to deliver an exceptional customer experience across in-person, online, and phone sales channels. You’ll take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the Box Office, overseeing financial reconciliation, data compliance, and ensuring accurate reporting.

Working closely with our Marketing and Programming teams, you’ll help to maximise ticket sales, deliver targeted promotions, and use audience insights to drive growth. You’ll also develop and implement efficient processes to enhance the customer journey and support our mission to make arts and culture in Reading accessible to all.

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Experienced in managing a Box Office or ticketing operation within an arts, entertainment, or similar customer-focused environment.
• Confident using modern ticketing systems (e.g., Spektrix, Tessitura, or similar) and comfortable with data reporting.
• A strong leader with excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Customer-focused, with a genuine passion for delivering welcoming, accessible experiences for all audiences.
• Able to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends, to support events.

This role will require flexibility, including some evening, weekend, and bank holiday working.

Reading’s arts venues present an exciting mix of live music, theatre, comedy, family shows, and community events. As Box Office Manager, you’ll be a crucial part of bringing these experiences to life, shaping audience engagement and supporting the continued growth of our venues.

We offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a real impact in Reading’s thriving cultural sector.

You’ll bring excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and build strong, positive relationships. Most importantly, you’ll have a genuine passion for supporting the personal development and wellbeing of every individual you work with.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Sarah Cox - Reading Arts and Venues Manager – sarah.cox@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 26th October 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview setup: Interview will be taking place in person at The Hexagon