Duty Manager (Freelance)
Reports to: Operations & Administration Manager
Location: Talent House, 3 Sugar House Lane, London E15 2QS
Contract: Freelance / Casual
Time commitment: As & when required/ rota basis
Rate: £15 p/h (3 hour minimum shift)
Introduction
UD is a Black-led National Youth Music Organisation based in Stratford, Newham, with a 25-year track record of talent development and community building rooted in Black music culture.
Co-founded in 2000 by the current CEO alongside a group of hip-hop musicians, UD’s mission is to educate, empower and create life opportunities for young people inspired by the sounds, words and rhythms of Black music. We address racial and socio-economic inequality by nurturing talent, building skills and creating pathways into the music industry for underrepresented communities. To date, UD has supported over 50,000 young people, the majority of whom are Black and from disadvantaged backgrounds.
UD’s vision is to be a leading talent development centre for Black music, recognised for its social and cultural impact and for the value it adds to a more diverse and inclusive music industry.
About the Role
UD Music Foundation is seeking reliable, vigilant, and proactive Duty Managers to oversee operations at our venue, Talent House. As the primary point of contact during shifts, you will represent UD Music, ensuring the building operates smoothly, safely, and securely while hosting events, commercial hires, and studio sessions.
Key Responsibilities
- Building Operations & Security: Execute formal opening and closing procedures for Talent House, managing keyholding duties, alarm systems, and maintaining overall venue security.
- Health & Safety Compliance: Act as the lead Fire Warden and designated First Aider on duty. Monitor health and safety standards across the premises and maintain accurate incident logs.
- Studio Access & Hire Management: Facilitate access for artists, clients, and venue hire partners; monitor equipment use, troubleshoot minor operational issues, and ensure sessions run to schedule.
- Event Support: Oversee public events and private hires, managing visitor flow, maintaining venue presentation, and providing high-quality front-of-house customer service.
- Duty Escalation: Serve as the main contact for on-site issues outside normal office hours, escalating urgent maintenance, safety, or safeguarding concerns to senior management when necessary.
Desirable
- Certifications: Up-to-date First Aid at Work and Fire Marshal training
- Experience: Previous experience in venue management, duty managing, or operational front-of-house roles within a music, arts, or community venue.
- Skills: Strong decision-making skills under pressure, clear communication, and a proactive attitude toward safety and customer care.
- Flexibility: Availability to work casual shifts across days, evenings, weekends as required.
Our values in practice
At UD, we are committed to working in ways that support our mission, our communities, and each other. We expect all team members to contribute in ways that are:
- Purpose-led. We understand how our individual roles contribute to UD’s aims and to positive outcomes for young people and communities, and we prioritise work that is mission-critical and adds value.
- Open, evidence-informed and accountable. We communicate clearly and transparently, and we use data and evidence accurately to inform our work, demonstrate impact and meet our accountability to funders and communities.
- Grounded in integrity and professionalism. We work to high standards of delivery, time management and quality, and we do what we say we will do.
- Respectful and collaborative. We value the skills, experience and perspectives of others, support colleagues appropriately, and work within clear roles and responsibilities, while contributing flexibly to shared priorities when required.
- Resilient, responsible and adaptable. We recognise the realities of working in a small organisation and are flexible and solution-focused, balancing our responsibilities to beneficiaries with care for staff wellbeing.
Staff and freelancers are expected to:
- Adhere to UD’s policies on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, safeguarding, data protection, confidentiality and health and safety
- Contribute to a safe, inclusive working environment and raise concerns appropriately
- Commit to their own continuing professional development
The Duty Manager is expected to model these values in their day-to-day work and interactions.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
UD Music Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in the arts and cultural sector, including people from Black and Global Majority backgrounds, disabled people, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
We are committed to making our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and are happy to discuss access requirements or reasonable adjustments to support candidates through the recruitment process.
How to Apply
Please email your application to jobs@udmusic.org with the subject line ‘Duty Manager (Freelance)’ with:
- a CV (maximum 2 pages), and
- a short covering statement (maximum 2 pages) explaining your interest in the role and how your experience relates to the key responsibilities and requirements of the role.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 4th October at midnight.
Candidates who are successful for an interview may be contacted before the deadline.
