Commercial and Events Business Manager

Royal Agricultural University; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Commercial Business Manager to lead and manage their commercial events business. Responsibilities include planning and organizing events, achieving sales targets, managing budgets, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have strong event management experience, a track record in sales, and excellent interpersonal skills. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive the success of an important business area within the university.

Benefits

Collaborative work environment

Professional development opportunities

Access to university facilities

Qualifications

• Experience of organizing large scale events and conferences.
• Track record of achieving sales targets.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise, and oversee the management of events.
• Achieve sales targets and generate new business.
• Liaise with stakeholders to ensure successful event delivery.

Skills

Event management

Sales target achievement

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Budget management

Education

A Level Education or equivalent

Professional events management qualification

Tools

CRM software

Social media platforms for marketing

Job description

Overview

To lead and manage the commercial events business including line management of the SalesExecutive, Events Coordinator, and Events Administrator. The role is responsible for delivering commercial targets for the University, developing new strategies, identifying new lines of enquiry, and being accountable for achieving sales targets. The post holder will work closely with the Director of Campus Experience, External Relations and Transformation teams to ensure the commercial success and growth of the University's events, training and conferencing portfolio. In addition, the role is to operationally plan and manage internal and external events on campus across the University sites liaising with key stakeholders such as Catering, Hospitality, Estates and Professional Development. The Commercial Business Manager will be responsible for the safety of the event public when on the premises, and ensures that audiences and staff alike are able to enjoy and work in a safe and secure environment working alongside the H&S Officer. They must maintain close liaison with the client/event organiser to ensure the Support, Catering & Hospitality teams deliver events to the required standard, the event runs to the agreed schedule and facilities/services which have been booked by the client are provided.

Responsibilities

• To plan, organise and oversee the management and delivery of an effective conferencing, and commercial business strategy, achieving sales targets and generation of new and repeat business streams.
• Support the Transformation Team in the sales and delivery of Professional Training programmes.
• To help plan and organise the management of a diverse range of University events, such as but not limited to Graduation, conferencing, weddings and high profile visits. Ensure the events are successful and cost-effective, paying attention to budget and time constraints.
• Maintain close liaison with visiting clients/promoters to confirm running times, audience numbers, ticketing policy, performance details, interval timings and to ensure all facilities and equipment booked by the client/promoter have been provided.
• Take a leading role with the planning, management and delivery of corporate and private events, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and offer an excellent visitor experience, including International Language Schools, Conferencing, Corporate Dinners and Receptions, Weddings, Alumni, Community and Civic Events on campus.
• Support community engagement through working with external stakeholders and internal facilitators such as a lecture series and Executive CPD programmes.
• Further develop a summer business model including International Summer Schools, special interest groups, and sports communities. This would include networking with external organisations, nurturing profitable relationships as well as negotiating prices for accommodation and hospitality.
• Responsibility for managing the Events and Conferencing Budgets.
• Chairing weekly Operational Planning meetings to inform, reflect and communicate with key stakeholders.
• Work with departmental peers to build effective working relationships, developing collaboration and a positive, cohesive delivery culture.
• Manage and coordinate suppliers, contractors and all event logistics (venue, catering, travel including price negotiation with 3rd parties).
• Liaise with marketing team to publicise and promote venue, special promotions, events and courses through various channels including website, events, print and social media platforms.
• Ensure that licenses, insurances, and health & safety obligations (such as car parking, security and first aid) are documented in risk assessments (where appropriate) and followed for all events.

Requirements

• The University is committed to equality of opportunity. All staff are required to comply with current legislation, University policies and good practice guidance.
• All staff are required to act in a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. The post holder must be familiar with and adhere to appropriate safeguarding policies and guidance and participate in related mandatory/statutory training. Managers have a responsibility to ensure their team members understand their individual responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• All staff are required to participate in the University appraisal process and should ensure they are familiar with the process and plan time to prepare for their appraisal. Following the appraisal, staff are expected to undertake in any necessary learning and development and work towards the objectives that have been set.
• The University expects staff to attend any training designated as mandatory and to undertake learning and development activities to support their role. Managers must facilitate learning and development within their teams.
• It is a condition of employment that staff will not disclose any information obtained in the course of their duties other than to those entitled to receive it. The post holder must ensure that the confidentiality of personal data remains secure and that restricted information or highly restricted information to which they have access remains confidential during and after their employment at Royal Agricultural University. All staff must undergo appropriate data protection training as required.
• All absence from work must be reported in accordance with the University's absence procedures and recorded on iTrent.
• The University acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, to its employees, service users and visitors. It is the policy of the University not to allow smoking on University premises other than in specifically designated areas.
• University Values: Collaborative, Open-Minded, Resourceful, Responsible, Inclusive. See original values descriptions for detail.
• Qualifications: Education to A level standard as minimum; a professional events management or related qualification or appropriate level of sector experience.
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills: Experience of organising large scale events and conferences; knowledge of the UK HE sector; demonstrable track record of achieving sales targets; marketing techniques for event management including social media and websites; project, people and budget management; excellent written, oral and presentation skills; IT skills; flexibility, adaptability and ability to work to deadlines; strong interpersonal and networking skills; ability to lead and support activities and problem-solving with a customer service focus; willingness to work outside normal office hours when required.