Event Sales Executive

National Space Centre; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Space Centre in the East Midlands is seeking a Senior Event Sales Manager to drive venue hire growth and secure bookings. You will work closely with clients and internal stakeholders to deliver outstanding event experiences and maximise revenue.

This full-time role requires strong negotiation, relationship-management skills, and experience with CRM/booking systems. Flexibility for evenings, weekends, and occasional early mornings is essential to meet event demands.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sales and event management.
• Experience building and maintaining client relationships.
• Experience with CRM and computerised booking systems.

Responsibilities

• Drive venue hire sales and revenue by converting enquiries and securing bookings.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external suppliers to deliver events.
• Handle invoicing processes and update CRM with bookings.
• Attend team meetings and contribute ideas for product development.

Skills

Sales

Event management

CRM systems

Negotiation

Client relationships

Microsoft Office

Tools

Booking systems

MS Office

Job description

Maternity Cover, fixed-term starting Wednesday 2nd November for 12 months.

Job Title: Senior Event Sales Manager

Reporting to: Commercial Director

Department: Venue Hire

Hours: Full Time 35 Hours a week. Fixed term maternity cover. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm usually but can be variable dependent on meetings/events and appointments. Flexibility will be required, with some early morning / evenings and weekend work. Time off in lieu will be provided wherever possible.

The National Space Centre is seeking an experienced Event Sales Executive to support the continued growth of venue hire business within our state-of-the-art venue. Working closely with clients and internal stakeholders, you will be responsible for securing new business, developing strong client relationships, and ensuring event requirements are effectively communicated to deliver outstanding experiences. The ideal candidate will have industry knowledge, good negotiation skills, and excellent relationship-management skills.

About the National Space Centre

The National Space Centre is the UK’s largest visitor attraction dedicated to space and space exploration, welcoming around 330,000 visitors each year since its opening in June 2001. Venue Hire is a vital part of the business, exploiting the highly themed surroundings of the award-winning building and exhibition to provide a unique experience. It has become firmly established as one of East Midlands’ unique, premier event’s venue; hosting 250 events and welcoming 20,000 corporate visitors per year. It offers a unique venue for a wide range of corporate events, from conferences to product launches, team building missions and evening dinners.

For additional information visit www.venuehire.spacecentre.co.uk

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Overall Objective: To drive venue hire sales and revenue growth by managing and converting sales enquires, developing client relationships, and maximising all revenue-generating opportunities.

Sales and Revenue Generation:

• Act as the primary contact for incoming enquiries, converting them into confirmed bookings.
• Nurture and develop relationships with prospective and existing clients to achieve new sales.
• Respond professionally and promptly to all enquiries, providing relevant information and options.
• Develop and present new ideas and products to the venue hire team.
• Regularly review pricing and package offerings, to ensure they remain current, competitive within the market, and maximise revenue generation.
• Conduct detailed show rounds, proactively promoting and upselling the venue to clients.
• Ensure timely signing of contracts and receipt of deposits/payments.
• Use CRM system to manage all enquires in the sales pipeline
  

Event Coordination:

• Support the event coordinator to provide excellent customer service throughout the event process, coordinating with internal departments and external suppliers as needed.
• Liaise with event organisers to ensure all requirements are communicated and met by relevant teams.
• Ensure events run smoothly, addressing any additional client requests.
• Respond to feedback from event organisers, both during and after events.
• Assist in organising internal events, including out-of-hours events.
  

Administrative Duties:

• Complete all invoicing processes related to events, including agency commission
• Update all bookings on CRM system.
• Manage the computerised booking system, including third-party supplier systems.
• Provide additional support cover in the absence of sales and event coordination team members.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Monitor competitors and brief the Commercial Director on new ideas and product developments.
• Attend and contribute to venue hire team meetings, showcases, and exhibitions.
• Participate in in-house and external training as required.
• Assist the delivery team as needed.
• Perform other reasonable tasks as designated.
  

Person Specification

Experience:

• Proven experience in sales and event management, preferably in a similar venue or industry.
• Experience in building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Experience with CRM systems and computerised booking systems.

Knowledge / Skills / Qualifications:

Skills and Attributes:

• Passionate about delivering high-quality events.
• Excellent organisational skills and high attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, including interpersonal, written, and verbal abilities.
• Proficiency in IT skills and competency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Capacity to remain calm under pressure and flexible in all situations while maintaining a positive and friendly attitude.
• Professional demeanor, with the ability to adapt to a variety of often challenging situations.
• Commitment to behaving in a manner consistent with the National Space Centre’s values and standards.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

The successful individual will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Disclosure.

There is no set closing date for applications, but the vacancy will be closed once filled.

Following successful application for the role, available interview dates will be sent over to shortlisted candidates along with any other relevant information.

1st stage interviews for successful applicants will be held on Teams/ over the phone.

2nd stage interviews will be held in person at The National Space Centre.

Further information about the National Space Centre may be found on our website www.spacecentre.co.uk.

Candidate privacy statement: https://spacecentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/National_Space_Centre_GDPR_Candidate_privacy_notice-2.pdf