Conference & Event Manager

Eastlands Venue Services Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Group Life Assurance

Birthday Off

Complimentary Meals on Shift

Employee Assistance Programme & Well‑g

Company Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Eastlands Venue Services Limited is recruiting a Conference & Event Manager at Etihad Stadium in Manchester to lead planning, coordination and delivery of conferences, corporate events, private functions and hospitality experiences. You will partner with clients and internal teams to achieve exceptional guest experiences while supporting commercial objectives.

You will manage the full lifecycle from planning and engagement through to delivery, post-event review and continuous improvement,

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing conferences, corporate events, hospitality functions or large-scale events.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience managing multiple events simultaneously.
• Demonstrable leadership and people management experience.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate conferences, meetings, corporate events, exhibitions, dinners and private functions.
• Coordinate event requirements with clients, internal departments and external suppliers.
• Produce detailed event briefs, function sheets, room layouts and operational plans.
• Conduct client meetings, planning sessions and venue site visits.
• Lead the operational delivery of conferences and events from set-up through to completion.
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide professional advice and recommendations throughout the planning process.
• Lead, motivate and develop Conference & Events Supervisors and teams.
• Manage event budgets and support achievement of revenue targets.
• Ensure all events comply with health, safety and licensing requirements.

Skills

Conference & Events management

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Leadership

Attention to detail

Evening/weekend flexibility

Job description

Conference & Event Manager

Department: C&E Salaried

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Etihad Stadium

Reporting To: Colleen Hellawell

Description

The Conference & Event Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination and operational delivery of conferences, corporate events, private functions and hospitality experiences across the venue. Working closely with clients and internal teams, the role ensures every event is delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of guest experience whilst supporting the commercial objectives of the business.

The successful candidate will manage the full event lifecycle, from initial planning and client engagement through to operational delivery, post-event evaluation and continuous improvement.

Day to Day Key Responsibilities

Event Planning & Coordination

• Manage a portfolio of conferences, meetings, corporate events, exhibitions, dinners and private functions.
• Coordinate event requirements with clients, internal departments and external suppliers.
• Produce detailed event briefs, function sheets, room layouts and operational plans.
• Conduct client meetings, planning sessions and venue site visits.
• Ensure event spaces are prepared and presented to the highest standards.

Event Operations

• Lead the operational delivery of conferences and events from set-up through to completion.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients throughout their event.
• Monitor service delivery and guest experience, ensuring operational excellence.
• Resolve operational issues quickly and professionally.
• Conduct post-event debriefs and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide professional advice and recommendations throughout the planning process.
• Ensure client expectations are understood, managed and exceeded wherever possible.
• Support repeat business through exceptional customer service.

Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop Conference & Events Supervisors, Coordinators and casual event teams.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training of event colleagues.
• Deliver pre-event briefings and ensure clear communication of responsibilities.
• Foster a collaborative, service-led culture across the team.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Manage event budgets and support achievement of revenue targets.
• Monitor event costs, forecasting and invoicing.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiencies and maximise profitability.
• Support the development of new event packages and guest experiences.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all events are delivered in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Complete risk assessments where required.
• Maintain compliance with health & safety, food safety, licensing and venue procedures.
• Promote safe working practices across all event teams.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential

• Proven experience managing conferences, corporate events, hospitality functions or large-scale events.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience managing multiple events simultaneously.
• Demonstrable leadership and people management experience.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets.
• Ability to make effective decisions under pressure.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Flexible approach to working evenings, weekends and event days.

Desirable

• Experience within a stadium, arena, hotel, conference centre or large events venue.
• Qualification in Events Management, Hospitality Management, Business Management or a related discipline.
• Experience using event management systems such as Priava, Delphi, Momentus or similar.
• Personal Licence Holder certification.
• Food Safety and Health & Safety qualifications.

Why Join Us?

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
• Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
• Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
• Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
• Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
• Company Pension Scheme
• Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
• Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus