Commercial Events Manager - Courses and Experiences

ZipRecruiter; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading botanic institution in the UK is seeking a Commercial Events Manager to oversee and develop diverse event programs that enhance income generation. This role requires substantial experience in the events industry, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively to achieve ambitious income targets. The organization offers a benefits package including continuous learning opportunities and flexible work arrangements.

Benefits

Learning opportunities

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven experience in events industry design and delivery.
• Experience managing diverse audiences and achieving targets.
• Strong IT and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage Short Courses, Membership Events, Tours and Experiences.
• Collaborate with team members to set ambitious income targets.
• Support R&D for new events and maximize profitability.
• Lead project from concept to delivery in unique venues.
• Engage in weekend and after-hours support at events.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Events Manager (Courses and Experiences) to join our commercial events team. The role supports the delivery and development of a wide programme of events including Kew’s Short Courses programme, Membership Events, and Tours and Experiences.

These three programme strands are central to Kew’s income strategy and aligned with ambitious growth targets. The overarching aim is to expand the programme’s volume, reach, and commercial impact, helping the organisation significantly increase its self-generated income in support of its broader mission.

As the Commercial Events Manager (Courses and Experiences) you will support the successful delivery of commercial events at Kew by overseeing and strategically developing three strands of the programme — Short Courses programme, Membership Events, and Tours and Experiences — ensuring they evolve cohesively and complement one another in both content and commercial viability.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of three programme strands (Short Courses, Membership Events, Tours and Experiences) and lead their evolution across two new venues at Kew, ensuring cohesion and commercial viability.
• Collaborate with the Events Co-ordinator, Senior Commercial Events Manager and Head of Commercial Events; help set ambitious targets to grow self-generated income through the commercial events portfolio.
• Support research and development of new events and help maximise profitability, sustainability, and quality through effective management and procurement.
• Scope and create unique events in unique spaces, guiding projects from concept to delivery.
• Engage in weekend and after-hours support at live events as required.

Qualifications and experience

• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience in the events industry and the ability to design and deliver commercially successful programmes.
• Significant experience in developing, programming, and managing annual event or course programmes, with a track record of reaching diverse audiences and delivering against strategic and commercial targets.
• Ability to engage confidentially and persuasively with colleagues, stakeholders and external event partners at all levels.
• Excellent IT and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Willingness to work weekends and evenings at live events when required.
• Enthusiastic team player with an exceptional eye for detail and a passion for the events industry and what Kew does.

About us and context

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.

Benefits

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, please submit via our online portal, by clicking “Apply”.

Equality and how to apply for roles

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.