The Gallery wishes to recruit a Front of House Manager to join the Audience Development & Stakeholder Engagement Division on a permanent basis. The successful candidate will lead the Front of House team, overseeing all front‑of‑house operations, ensuring an exceptional visitor experience, smooth daily running of the Gallery, and effective management of staff and resources. They will develop and oversee the implementation of Front of House Management plans that align with our strategic plan and strategically develop the customer service standards and the visitor satisfaction levels of the National Gallery of Ireland, including visitor engagement with our buildings, programmes and platforms.
Responsibilities
* Support the Director of the Gallery and Head of Audience Development & Stakeholder Engagement on a range of strategic priorities.
* Lead the Front of House team and other resources in a way that models respectful communication, cultural awareness, and inclusive leadership.
* Function as the Gallery’s floor‑based, visible and supportive Front of House manager, ensuring the Gallery is visitor‑ready before, during, and after opening hours through effective management of safety, capacity, cleaning, signage & wayfinding, and visitor flow.
* Ensure corrective actions are promptly reported and addressed by the relevant teams.
* Ensure high standards of customer service across teams that welcome over 1 million on site visitors 361 days per year, fostering a positive, inclusive, professional and welcoming team culture.
* Champion Universal Design and accessibility across all visitor services, working collaboratively to identify and remove barriers.
* Act as the Gallery’s Access Officer under Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, serving as a visible and supportive point of contact for accessibility‑related queries.
* Manage and develop the Gallery’s Customer Charter and Action Plan and our Complaints and Feedback Process.
* Monitor, assess, and identify opportunities to enhance the Gallery’s performance and visitor satisfaction, including improving rankings on third‑party review platforms.
* Plan and oversee the collection, verification and assessment of regular visitor surveys and our visitor data, ensuring accuracy through third‑party software, internal tracking systems and staff knowledge.
* Ensure the Gallery’s compliance with relevant legislation and standards including the Official Languages Act and EU Web Accessibility Directive.
* Work closely with the Gallery’s Head of Communications and relevant Working Groups to ensure the successful implementation of the Gallery’s Audience Strategy.
* Implement initiatives and processes in collaboration with other teams to deepen the Gallery’s relationship with existing audiences and sustainably increase onsite audiences.
* Develop and implement related budgets and procurement processes in line with operational needs.
* Perform other duties as determined by the Director and Head of Audience Development & Stakeholder Engagement.
Qualifications
* A third‑level qualification in a related discipline (e.g., Arts Management, Tourism, Business, Hospitality, Museum or Heritage Studies).
* A minimum of three years management experience in Front of House management in the arts, heritage or tourism or hospitality sectors.
* Proven experience in leading, motivating, and managing a team effectively.
* The ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism, sound judgment, and diplomacy.
* A track record in developing and implementing rosters and work schedules to meet operational needs.
* Familiarity with accessibility legislation and Universal Design principles.
* Knowledge of related software and systems including ShopperTrak, TicketSolve, Eventbrite, Culture Counts, EPOS systems and websites.
* Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional, courteous, and engaging manner with staff and visitors.
* A demonstrated commitment to inclusive public engagement, cultural sensitivity and awareness of diverse lived experiences.
* Strong organisational, planning, and problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
* Flexibility and adaptability, with a proactive approach to changing priorities and operational challenges.
* The ability to foster a positive, constructive team culture, recognising and valuing contributions within legal and charity guidelines.
* Skills in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* Energy, enthusiasm, and a commitment to delivering an outstanding visitor experience, with awareness of Gallery‑wide activities.
* Familiarity with the Irish language, including basic reading comprehension and speaking ability is an advantage.
* Eligible candidates must be a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom (UK) or hold a Stamp 4 permission or a Stamp 5 permission. A non‑EEA citizen who has a Stamp 4 permission or a Stamp 5 permission is eligible.
Benefits and Employment Details
Grade and Salary: The salary for this position will be in accordance with the Higher Executive Officer (PPC) pay scale, as per the 1 August 2025 pay adjustments. The starting salary will be at the first point on the scale, €58,847 per annum, or on a higher point of the scale, as appropriate to the successful candidate, if appointed from an existing public sector role (in accordance with Circular 08/2019). Annual Leave: 29 days pro rata. Superannuation: Public sector pension scheme. Benefits: Tax saver and cycle‑to‑work schemes. Duration: Permanent. Working hours: Full time, 5 days over 7 days per week – 35 hours per week (net of breaks). The successful candidate will be required to work occasional early mornings, late evenings and weekends.
Conditions of Employment
This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. All employees are required to be compliant with NGI screening and Garda Vetting procedures. The post will be subject to a satisfactory medical check and successful completion of a probationary period. Applicants must be fluent in English and be eligible to work in Ireland. To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.
Application Process
* A CV – no more than two pages.
* A cover letter – no more than two pages.
* Submission of documents in PDF format.
* Closing date for receipt of applications: 27 October 2025.
* Interviews will be scheduled in November 2025.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The National Gallery of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer. We value equity, diversity and inclusion and celebrate difference. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
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