Commercial & Hires Officer

Polka Theatre is a pioneering and unique children’s theatre venue, staging exceptional productions and developing industry-leading Creative Learning experiences which are accessible for all children to enjoy. In 2024 we won the UK Theatre Award for Most Welcoming Theatre, as well as Merton Best Business. In 2026 we received two Olivier Award nominations.

Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is seeking an energetic, commercially-minded and proactive Commercial & Hires Officer to work closely with the Head of Operations and Visitor Services, facilitating commercial income generation to support Polka’s core charitable activities.

Could Polka be looking for you?

• Do you have a passion for commercial success and an understanding of social values?
• Would you like to bring your retail and entrepreneurial skills to a pioneering national theatre for children?
• Do you have an enthusiasm for accuracy and financial acumen?

What would you be doing?
You will play an important role, as part of the Operations and Visitor Services team, exploring ways to maximise earned income opportunities for Polka. You will be responsible for sustaining and growing key commercial aspects of Polka’s activities, including our small but imaginative shop which sells educational gifts, toys, books and merchandise. You will drive and oversee hiring out our building’s spaces, in-line with Polka’s values, to achieve important income targets. You will also work closely with our Café Chef / Manager to proactively explore and drive the commercial opportunities that our café can provide, and support financial administration and marketing of the café and catering opportunities.

We want to help people achieve their potential while working at Polka. We prioritise our mental health and the culture of working at Polka by having regular team days to share and learn from each other and a range of social events. We invest in our people through training opportunities which help us learn and understand more about working together.

Please note this role is full-time, normally working across a 5 day week Sunday to Thursday, with flexibility based on the operational needs of the organisation. Weekend and evening work will be required.

Salary:  is £28,500 – £31,500 per year depending on experience.

Hours:  you will need to work are 35 hours per week (excluding an hour lunch break), normally within the hours of 8:30am to 6pm. You will work in a varying shift pattern over a 5-day working week between Sunday and Thursday. Regular weekend work will be required to fulfil the requirements of the role and meet the needs of the organisation alongside other team members. You may need to work some additional hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel out of London when required (we operate a Time Off In Lieu, ‘TOIL’ system).

For a Recruitment Pack with more information about who we are and what we’re looking for in this role plus how to apply please visit our website. https://polkatheatre.com/jobs/

We accept audio/video file if you prefer.

Deadline 9am on 26 October 2026

Interview week commencing 2 November 2026 (a second interview will be held if

necessary)

Ideal start date from 20 November 2026

Polka’s commitment as an equal opportunities employer means we are keen to encourage applications from people of colour, people across the gender spectrum and people who self-identify as disabled, who are underrepresented in our sector.

Polka is funded by Arts Council England. Registered charity number 256979.