Commercial Events And Experience Manager - Req24888

Job title:Commercial Events and Experience Manager

Salary: £29,777.04 - £31,364.04

Hours:  37

Contract: Temporary until 31/03/2026 

Location: Leeds Discovery Centre

An exciting opportunity has arisen to take the lead for managing a proactive, experience-focused and profitable Commercial Events and venue hire offer across Leeds Museums and Galleries. The focus of this role will be to significantly expand and promote Commercial Events and venue hire and oversee delivery ensuring the highest standards and Experience across all sites, supporting the delivery of Our Strategy – Leeds Museums & Galleries

 This new position as part of a wider enterprise team (including retail and catering) will also be responsible for developing and improving the enquiry and sales process, working proactively with 3rd party event organisers, travel trade partners and Council colleagues in the creation of a co-ordinated venue hire and Experiences package and to implement further recommendations from a wider commercial review. 

The right candidate will have experience of planning, managing and delivering functions and Commercial Events, experience of using or developing bookings systems, delivering excellent customer service and have an ability to manage budgets, work out costings and margins effectively to drive and maximise sales. 

Leeds Museums & Galleries is the largest local authority-run museum service in England and operate a varied portfolio of nine museums, heritage sites, country houses and galleries. Home to 1.3 million objects, the service’s mission is to work with communities to share stories from our past and present to shape a better future for the people of Leeds. 

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Commercial Events and Experience Manager, you will bring to the role:

• Experience of planning, managing and delivering functions and Commercial Events
• Experience of using or developing booking systems and processes
• Ability to negotiate and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders and clients
• Experience of managing budgets and financial planning including profit and loss
• Knowledge of best practice for venue hire within a cultural/heritage or visitor attraction environment 

About the role 

As the Commercial Events and Experience Manager you will take the lead for managing a proactive, experience-focused and profitable Commercial Events and venue hire offer across Leeds Museums and Galleries. This will support the delivery of Our Strategy – Leeds Museums & Galleries

The role is integral within the wider enterprise team and will work alongside other colleagues focussing on retail and catering.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations & Enterprise. Call 07891 273902 or email lisa.broadest@leeds.gov.uk 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
 
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: 

To manage a proactive, experience-focused, and profitable Commercial Events and venue hire offer across Leeds Museums and Galleries. This key role will significantly expand and promote Commercial Events and venue hire and oversee delivery ensuring the highest standards and Experience across our cultural venues. 

The focus will be on securing, facilitating and supporting large scale, quality, and memorable Commercial Events and hires to craft a position in the market for our unique venues; as well as supporting colleagues at each venue and centrally in the creation of an excellent, sector-leading venue hire, Events and Experience offer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a high quality, profitable event and venue hire experience across all LMG sites, working closely with each site, and with external partners.
• Develop and improve the venue hire and Commercial Events enquiry and sales process including response time targets and utilise digital solutions.
• Work with the Audience Development team to develop and deliver marketing and promotion of Commercial Events, venue hire and Experiences.
• Work proactively with third party event organisers, travel trade partners, and Council colleagues (particularly Arts, Events, and Venues, and Climate, Energy and Greenspaces) in the creation of a co-ordinated events, venue hire and Experiences package.
• Work with venues to provide advice and support on their Commercial Events offer and ensure systems and procedures are in place to manage demand and provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in line with relevant Health and Safety, financial, procurement and legal requirements, and bookings follow well defined ethical guidelines.
• Manage with Principal Keepers and Keepers the balance of generous hosting and commercial opportunities in line with the values and strategy of LMG.
• Work closely with colleagues in Learning and Access on managing learning bookings.
• Optimise financial performance and ensure Commercial Events and venue hire is kept to the delegated budget. Work with sites to set targets, forecast and analyse sales, review client and customer satisfaction data, define margins and operating parameters.
• Develop streamlined fees and charges (e.g. daily delegate rate) and secure a competitive catering offer (e.g. negotiating a % commission on catering)
• Work with Outlet Managers to provide a high-quality in-house catering offer supporting Commercial Events and venue hire.
• Identify and develop new Commercial Events and create new opportunities across LMG.
• Recruit, manage and develop a small team of staff aiming for the highest standards. 
• Be able to work as part of a team and act on instructions as may be necessary.
• Undertake planning and organisation of Commercial Events and support venue hire as may be required.
• Always promote the objectives of Leeds Museums and Galleries via the provision of a quality service.
• Ensure all operations meet with the Statutory Regulations in respect of Health and Safety at Work, relevant hygiene regulations (Food, Premises and Personal). Licensing Regulations and any other appropriate legislation.

Qualifications 

• Qualification in food hygiene practice

Essential Requirements: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups at all appropriate levels
• Ability to negotiate and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders and clients
• Ability to prioritise and effectively organise a busy work schedule meeting agreed targets and tight deadlines including responding to client enquiries
• Ability to organise time effectively
• Ability to plan and manage budgets, work out costings and margins effectively
• Good ICT skills (e.g. email; word processing; spreadsheets; database)
• Ability to work effectively as part of multi-layer teams (across different teams and sites) and on own initiative
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, maintaining effective working relationships
• Ability to source, assimilate and present information
• Knowledge of best practice for venue hire within a cultural/heritage or visitor attraction environment
• Knowledge of recognised financial procedures
• Knowledge of current Health and Safety requirements and risk 
• Experience of planning, managing and delivering functions and Commercial Events 
• Experience of using or developing booking systems and processes
• Experience of hospitality and catering
• Experience of managing budgets and financial planning including profit and loss 
• Experience in excellent customer care
• Experience in managing and developing staff
• Experience of preparing and presenting reports

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• A result and target driven personality
• Self-confident with an approachable and genuine demeanour 
• A positive commitment to providing excellence in service provision.
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Knowledge of customer care processes and procedures for Commercial Events and venue hire
• Knowledge of the management of visitor facilities
• Ability to access remote sites efficiently
• Knowledge and understanding of marketing principles in a museums and galleries context
• Event management qualification
• First Aid qualification
• Provision of high-quality detailed responses within short time scales
• Confident in abilities to problem solve in a fast-paced environment