Event Sales Manager- National Theatre

Compass Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading events and hospitality service provider in the United Kingdom seeks an Events Sales Manager to drive sales and maximize revenue at the National Theatre. The role involves managing client relationships, converting inquiries into bookings, and ensuring a seamless handover to operations. The ideal candidate excels in communication, commercial growth, and upholding values of accessibility and sustainability. Benefits include ongoing training, generous holidays, and discounts at National Theatre outlets.

Benefits

Access to ongoing training and development opportunities

Perks at Work - savings and discounts

Generous holiday allowance

Private Pension scheme with company match

Employee Assistance Programme

Medicash Healthcare and Life Assurance

Long Service Rewards

Discount on National Theatre outlets

Discount at Seven Dials Market

Complimentary tickets to shows

Discounted parking rate

Qualifications

• Proven experience in event sales, preferably in hospitality or food & beverage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong multitasking abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Confident working with budgets and contract negotiation.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, preferably Delphi.

Responsibilities

• Drive event sales across commercial spaces and maximize revenue.
• Convert incoming enquiries into profitable event bookings.
• Create tailored proposals that reflect client requirements.
• Work with the Head of Events to develop a proactive sales strategy.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.

Skills

Sales Leadership

Relationship Building

Organised & Detail-Focused

Commercial Acumen

Tech-Savvy

Collaborative

Flexible

Industry-Aware

Professional & Engaging

Creative Thinker

Tools

Delphi (CRM)

Job description

Events Sales Manager- National Theatre- £43k

World Class Hospitality

NT Food & Drink is a unique and dynamic partnership driven by Levy and KERB, embedded within the National Theatre on the South Bank. Our ambition to create a world-class hospitality destination at the heart of the world's most iconic theatre is powered by our progressive people-first approach, centred on environmental and social sustainability. We celebrate inclusivity with purpose, putting the development and progression of our future leader's centre stage. Our shared goal is to ensure all food and drink spaces support the NT's overall values, vision, and culture.

Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Events, you will drive event sales across the National Theatre's commercial spaces, maximising revenue across all business streams including corporate, private and wedding events. You will be responsible for managing reactive and proactive sales activity, building strong client relationships, and ensuring seamless handover to planning and operations. This role requires exceptional communication skills, strategic thinking, a passion for hospitality, and the ability to deliver commercial growth while upholding the NT's values of accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability.

Core Function & Responsibilities

• Reactive Sales
• Convert incoming enquiries into profitable event bookings, aligned with sales strategy and revenue targets
• Respond to all enquiries within agreed timeframes
• Create tailored proposals that reflect client requirements and budgets
• Meet and exceed budget targets set by management
• Follow up proposals promptly to ensure efficient conversion
• Lead site visits, contract negotiations and invoicing, ensuring accurate documentation and smooth handover to planning
• Cross-sell into all NT outlets to maximise revenue opportunities across the estate
• Proactive Sales
• Work with the Head of Events to develop and deliver a proactive sales strategy
• Create and implement targeted sales plans to grow the NT's client base
• Generate new business leads through relationship building, networking and market engagement
• Attend tradeshows, exhibitions and industry events
• Conduct competitor analysis to ensure prices and packages remain competitive
• Research event trends and new venue innovations to ensure NT's proposition remains fresh and appealing
• Maintain and develop engaging, relevant sales collateral
• Internal
• Client & Customer Relationship Management
• Build and nurture strong relationships with existing and prospective clients
• Attend networking events, familiarisation trips and client entertaining
• Meet and greet conference organisers or delegates to ensure satisfaction on event days
• Produce and support seasonal showcases; represent NT at external exhibitions
• Ensure accurate maintenance of the CRM system (preferably Delphi)
• Conduct post-event follow-up to secure repeat business and future opportunities
• Stakeholder Management
• Develop collaborative relationships with key partners including KERB Events, National Theatre and Compass Group/Levy
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal teams including Food & Drink, planning, AV & lighting, development and visitor experience teams
• Build strong relationships with third-party event bookers and agencies to keep NT front-of-mind for enquiries
• Work closely with Lime Venue Portfolio to monitor conversion, enquiry trends and lost business reasons to support targeted sales activity
• Champion sustainability within event sales and support NT Food & Drink's sustainability commitments
• Understand internal event needs, particularly for high-level clients, and identify commercial opportunities

Personality & Competencies

• Sales Leadership: Proven experience in event sales, preferably in hospitality or food & beverage, with a track record of hitting targets and driving revenue growth
• Relationship Builder: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to foster long-lasting client and stakeholder relationships
• Organised & Detail-Focused: Strong multitasking abilities with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy across proposals, contracts and CRM systems
• Commercial Acumen: Confident working with budgets, contract negotiation, financial tracking and invoicing
• Tech-Savvy: Familiarity with CRM systems (Delphi preferred)
• Collaborative: Works effectively with cross-functional teams, partners and suppliers
• Flexible: Adapts working patterns when necessary to meet business needs
• Industry-Aware: Strong knowledge of the events and hospitality landscape and current trends
• Professional & Engaging: Represents the organisation with confidence and professionalism
• Creative Thinker: Able to think outside the box to create engaging proposals and fresh commercial opportunities

Benefits

• Access to ongoing training and development opportunities through GROW program
• Perks at Work - savings and discounts for everyday shopping and experiences
• Generous holiday allowance with the option of to purchase additional leave
• Private Pension scheme with a company match up to 6%
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Medicash Healthcare and Life Assurance
• Long Service Rewards and recognition
• 15% off all outlets with the National Theatre, with a 25% discount in the Bookshop.
• Kerb Card - 50% discount on drinks and 20% discount on food at Seven Dials Market.
• Complimentary tickets to shows at the National Theatre (subject to availability)
• O2 - last minute ticket offers for O2s show in our VIP box (subject to availability.)
• Onsite parking - parking is available at a discounted rate of £4 per day

We strive to be a company that is inclusive in terms of age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation and ethnicity. We aim to create a working environment where everyone can be happy at work.