Head of Events – Heritage Unique Venue

Exciting opportunity to lead on and deliver the events offering at beautiful historical listed property in central London – responsibility for all aspects of venue usage for events, and working closely with a range of internal and external clients from enquiry to delivery for elegant private and corporate events in this most glorious of heritage buildings.

COMPANY
Our Client is a Fraternity body with c. 500 members from their particular 'trade' - and they have a stunning London venue property - heritage and listed building as home to this prestigious membership body, and a registered charity. It's a stunning property (listed building 17^th century with five beautiful interconnected venue spaces catering from 10-180pax).  It's a very busy venue that hosts c. 200 events per year (exclusive hire only), client mix is 80% corporate (dinners, receptions, meetings) / 20% private events (parties, weddings etc..), averaging 70% daytime events / 30% evening. The wider organisation has a team of c. 300 employees involved in the Body’s varied wider activities in support of their specialist niche fraternity. So it’s a buzzy, busy and very interesting place to work. The events team offer a very personalized service to both their internal and external clients, and a high level of event delivery/detail reflective of their wider reputational profile.

ROLE
This role leads on all aspects of events & venue hire for the organization – and manages a Senior Event Manager. The role covers the full range of event activity, from input on the overall strategy and marketing of the venue, with responsibility for it’s commercial success and expert event operations – so it needs a very well rounded venue-side events professional. This is an absolute gem of a venue and offers a senior and hands on events role - lovely venue, friendly team and special organisation to work in with a unique culture. The role brings a competitive salary and excellent benefits, alongside an excellent career opportunity. Specific responsibilities include:

• Agree a general philosophy and approach for operating all events – work closely with senior personnel within the wider Body and their expectations

• Establish budgets and targets for the events activity and liaise regularly with the Head of Finance to monitor progress, including annual review of room hire charges

• Manage Senior Event Manager across all aspects of event activity

• Client show rounds, recommend best usage and suppliers, and liaison to confirmation

• Liaise with each potential client clarifying and confirming their final requirements

• Clarify the staffing arrangements for events, ensuring that there are adequate resources available or on standby

• Manage each event directly, or through an appropriate nominee/SEM to the level required, from start to finish, to ensure client and visitor satisfaction and cost effectiveness

• Analyse the success of an event and customer satisfaction after each event and prepare proposals for overcoming any weaknesses

• Discuss market and client opportunities; prepare marketing strategies and promotional materials, both printed, and on website

• Monitor the overall maintenance position for the facilities, notify short-term requirements and forward looking recommendations

• Assist in wider aspects of events eg preparing proposals for major works, reviewing overtime payments, monitor supplier list, wine purchases etc

YOU
We are looking for an experienced senior Venue events professional – who would relish the role and experience this unique venue and Body offers.  Hands-on and flexible in your approach, with excellent communication skills, and who can bring your own breadth of experience of working in a unique or heritage venue.  You’ll have worked across both private and corporate events, used to working successfully to a client base with high expectations. Experience working within a venue which also serves the needs of a membership/fraternity body would be highly beneficial. Super-organised, flexible, very client facing and commercially astute, experienced across the full event style offering from high level dinners, receptions and weddings etc including formal/high level – previous experience in a similar responsibility level of role is required.  Good commercial and marketing understanding and ability to drive all aspects forward. Specific requirements include:

• Experienced venue-side event professional, with line management experience
• Experience working within a unique and/or heritage venue
• Excellent communication skills, and used to dealing with senior stakeholders and clients – diplomatic and professional
• Educationally qualified to degree level or comparable vocational standard with appropriate experience within the hospitality industry
• Experience in managing Corporate Catering Operations and Personal Licence holder, with extensive knowledge of food and wines
• A flexible team leader and team player with the ability to think and work innovatively

This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior experienced Venue professional with a strong venue & hospitality background, who can lead and deliver on all aspects of a successful venue event offering – and who would love to be working in a beautiful historical listed property in central London! 

If your experience matches the key requirements and responsibilities as listed above, please reflect these in your CV and click “Apply” now.