Company Introduction
Established in 2001, Reel Cinemas is proud to be one of the UK’s leading family-owned independent cinema chains, with 16 cinemas and 88 screens bringing the magic of the movies to communities across the country. We combine the scale to deliver quality with the independence to stay agile, personal and rooted in local life. In an ever-evolving industry, we lead with ambition, innovation, and clear focus on film-first experiences.
We believe in making cinema-going accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Our cinemas are rooted in their local communities, offering high-quality, great-value family entertainment without compromise. Every site reflects both the community it serves and REEL’s drive for consistently high standards.
What truly sets us apart is our personal touch. We pride ourselves on being approachable, welcoming, and dedicated to outstanding customer service. Our teams go beyond simply showing films – they create moments of connection, joy and lasting memories for our guests. Whether it’s a blockbuster night out, a family-friendly afternoon, or an intimate indie screening, we go the extra mile to make every visit special.
Role Purpose
Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for film, customer service, driving both operational excellence and sales growth? As a General Manager at Reel Cinemas, you’ll take the helm of one of our venues, leading a dedicated team to deliver exceptional guest experiences while ensuring smooth and profitable operations. You’ll not only run a cinema but drive the site’s growth as a flexible event and community venue, maximizing use of our private-hire screen and party room.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Business
• Take full ownership of your cinema’s performance, driving admissions, revenue, and operational standards.
• Develop and manage budgets, control costs, and report on financial performance.
• Identify and act on opportunities to grow the business and enhance the customer offer.
• Act as a REEL ambassador in the community – building partnerships with local businesses, schools and media, and actively identify, create and deliver sales opportunities through private hires, corporate screenings, kids’ parties, local partnerships and community events.
• Deliver on targets across admissions, spend per head, and event/party-room utilisation.
Deliver Exceptional Experiences
• Champion a welcoming, customer-first culture that creates memorable visits.
• Resolve customer issues with professionalism and care.
• Oversee programming and film scheduling to balance audience appeal and commercial return.
• Design and deliver innovative event packages and experiences that exceed expectations and build repeat business.
Ensure Operational Excellence
• Maintain high standards across health & safety, food hygiene, security, and compliance.
• Ensure competence in projection and technical systems, acting as first-line support and coordinating with central teams to keep the show running.
• Respond effectively to incidents and ensure all staff are trained on emergency procedures.
• Work closely with our Support Centre and fellow managers to share best practice
• Lead and manage opening-phase operations, embedding new SOPs, and ensuring readiness for launch.
Lead and Develop the Team
• Lead in recruitment and onboarding for team members, embedding REEL culture and standards from the bottom up. Deliver regular 1-2-1s, appraisals, and ongoing coaching.
• Build a positive, inclusive culture with fair rotas and clear expectations.
• Inspire and motivate your team to take pride in their work and grow with the business.
What We’re Looking For:
• Proven leadership experience—at least three years in cinema, hospitality, or entertainment venue management.
• Exceptional customer service skills and a commitment to delivering outstanding hospitality.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and analysing performance data.
• Demonstrated success in sales, business development, or driving event/venue hire revenue.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Passion for cinema and the wider entertainment industry.
• Experience launching or relaunching a hospitality, leisure or entertainment venue is highly desirable.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to travel regionally as the role develops.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.
• Confident with IT systems and tools (MS Office, AV equipment, POS systems).
• A full, clean driving licence is useful but not essential.
• Additional certifications (First Aid, Food Hygiene, H&S, Personal Licence) are advantageous.
Perks & Benefits
• Competitive Salary
• 28 Days of Annual Leave – Time to recharge and refresh.
• Free Movies & Discounts – Complimentary tickets for you and a guest, plus discounts on snacks and drinks.
• Supportive Workplace Culture – Be part of a passionate, collaborative team that loves what they do.
• Opportunity to shape a flagship new site and influence future openings in the region.
Why Join Us?
At Reel Cinemas, we’re more than just a place to watch films—we’re a community-driven, customer-focused company that’s passionate about creating unforgettable cinema experiences.
As a General Manager at REEL Cinemas, you’ll be at the forefront of REEL’s next chapter: building a great team, embedding a strong local presence, and setting a benchmark for future growth. This is a unique opportunity to combine operational leadership with sales growth and community engagement.
