Job Description
We’re looking for a General Manager to take full ownership of the Ministry of Sound club operation — leading large teams, high-volume nights and one of the most recognised venues in global nightlife.
US
The Ministry of Sound opened in 1991 in a disused bus garage in a forgotten corner of South London. It was the first nightclub in the UK to have a 24-hour licence, didn’t serve alcohol and featured an earth-shaking sound system in a specially constructed dance box.
We went on to become the world’s largest independent record company (now owned by Sony) and stage giant dance events. We were pioneers in electronic music and have a history of taking risks, innovation, and colourful and creative marketing.
Thirty years later we opened The Ministry, a workspace run as a member’s club, in a 50,000 sq. ft Victorian warehouse in SE1. The design is relaxed but functional with a bar, opening windows, an outside courtyard and plenty of space to sit, relax, work and socialise – everything you wouldn’t expect to find in a standard office. There’s great home cooked F&B, a state-of-the-art gym and fitness studio with daily classes, together with a cultural and business events programme.
As a business we don’t take ourselves too seriously, like to laugh and have fun, but we have high standards, a relentless attention to detail and the continuous improvement of our product, and we work hard as a team. We hate cliché, doing things the way others do and continuously seek to differentiate our brands and products almost as a point of pride.
YOU
We are looking for a highly capable operational leader with extremely strong leadership qualities and a proven track record of managing and developing large, diverse teams.
You will have significant experience operating at General Manager, Senior Operations Manager or Assistant General Manager level within high-volume, late-night, wet-led venues, with a strong reputation in the industry.
You will bring a deep understanding of the nightlife landscape and dance music scene, with the ability to translate insight into clear commercial and operational decisions.
You will have a solid foundation in bar operations, with a strong grasp of product, speed of service and how to build high-performing teams that maximise every revenue opportunity. Experience across live music, DJ-led events, promoted club nights and corporate bookings is essential.
You will have strong knowledge of licensing, EHO, health and safety, safeguarding and large-scale venue risk management, and will be confident leading these standards in a live operational environment. You will also be commercially aware, able to interpret and act on financial data including budgets and P&Ls, and take a proactive approach to driving performance.
Highly organised, self-motivated and flexible, you will be comfortable working within an events-led business, maintaining high standards across guest entry, cleanliness, operational delivery and team performance at all times.
You will take full ownership and responsibility for the nightclub operation, leading the night team of managers, supervisors and the wider club team, overseeing all aspects of delivery across security, medics, bar, front of house, VIP, cleaners and cloakroom.
You will be accountable for ensuring the venue operates safely, legally and to a consistently high standard. This includes leading clear and structured briefings, maintaining calm and decisive leadership during live operations, and ensuring SOPs are well understood and consistently followed across all departments.
You will actively monitor performance during events, addressing issues quickly and maintaining a strong and consistent guest experience.
A key part of the role is ownership of safety, licensing and compliance. You will maintain a strong understanding of licensing requirements, health and safety regulations and security protocols, working closely with internal teams, security providers and local authorities to ensure the venue remains safe and compliant at all times.
You will oversee risk assessments, compliance checks and safeguarding practices, ensuring teams are confident in delivering against these standards.
You will also take full ownership of the commercial performance of the operation. Using budgets, forecasts and P&L data, you will identify opportunities to grow revenue, improve efficiency and control costs.
You will take a proactive approach to performance, acting quickly where there are gaps and driving improvements through training, structure and operational changes.
You will also build strong relationships with suppliers and partners to support commercial outcomes.
As a leader, you will set the tone for the operation. You will lead, motivate and develop managers and teams across shifts, creating a clear rhythm of communication, accountability and feedback.
You will create a positive and inclusive working environment while maintaining high standards, working closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure a seamless delivery across the business.
You will continuously review how the operation runs, identifying opportunities to improve ways of working, service delivery and guest experience.
You will encourage your team to challenge the status quo, generate new ideas and contribute to raising standards across the venue.
BENEFITS
Ministry of Sound offers an excellent range of benefits to support you as you grow with the company and take part in achieving our collective mission.
Health & Wellness
Free Ministry membership
Access to our private gym
Free fitness classes & wellness events
GP appointment access
24/7 Counselling and support helpline
Financial well-being
Staff referral scheme
Annual company bonus
Life assurance
Season ticket loan
Cycle to work scheme
Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
Pleasant Oddities
Access to cultural events hosted at The Ministry
Family & friends membership discount
Free entry to Ministry of Sound Club
Your Birthday off
Dog-friendly office
Free breakfast, lunch & refreshments
Hospitality rewards scheme with discounts for many popular retailers