Head of Venue & Events

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, based on Auckland's waterfront at Westhaven, seeks an experienced Head of Venue & Events to lead and grow our venue and events business. This senior, hands-on role covers sales, financial performance and day-to-day management of our venue and events operation, with a focus on developing a strong pipeline of bookings and maximizing waterfront facilities.

You will lead a small team across event coordination, venue operations and facilities, collaborating with

Qualifications

• Proven track record in sales, business development and revenue growth.
• Experience in venues, hospitality, events or a similar customer-focused business.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting and profitability.
• Experience leading a team and managing operational performance.
• Confidence building relationships with corporate clients.
• A practical, organised approach and the ability to take ownership.
• Willingness to be hands-on when needed.

Responsibilities

• Driving new business, venue sales and repeat bookings.
• Building relationships with corporate clients, event organisers and referral partners.
• Developing sales and marketing initiatives to increase venue utilisation.
• Managing budgets, revenue targets, forecasting and profitability.
• Leading the team and ensuring enquiries, bookings and events are managed professionally.
• Overseeing venue presentation, facilities and operational readiness.
• Working closely with our catering partner and internal teams to deliver successful events.
• Taking an active role in major events and ensuring clients receive a great experience.

Skills

Sales

Business development

Revenue growth

Venue management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Team leadership

Client relationships

Job description

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is looking for an experienced Head of Venue & Events to lead and grow our venue and events business.

Based on Auckland's waterfront at Westhaven, RNZYS is one of New Zealand's most established yacht clubs. Alongside our sailing activities and member events, we host a wide range of corporate functions, conferences, private celebrations and major events.

We're looking for someone who can see the commercial opportunity in our venue, build relationships, bring in new business and lead the team responsible for making it all happen.

About the role

This is a senior, hands-on role with responsibility for the sales, financial performance and day-to-day management of our venue and events operation.

A big part of the role is business development. We want someone who will actively get out into the market, build a strong pipeline of bookings and find new ways to make the most of our waterfront location and facilities.

You'll also lead a small team covering event coordination, venue operations and facilities, working closely with our catering partner, Montana Group.

Your responsibilities will include:

Driving new business, venue sales and repeat bookings.

Building relationships with corporate clients, event organisers and referral partners.

Developing sales and marketing initiatives to increase venue utilisation.

Managing budgets, revenue targets, forecasting and profitability.

Leading the team and ensuring enquiries, bookings and events are managed professionally.

Overseeing venue presentation, facilities and operational readiness.

Working closely with our catering partner and internal teams to deliver successful events.

Taking an active role in major events and ensuring clients receive a great experience.

About you

We're looking for someone with a strong commercial background who also understands what it takes to run a successful venue.

You might currently be managing a venue, leading event sales or working in a senior hospitality or events role. What matters most is your ability to grow the business, lead people and deliver results.

Ideally, you'll bring:

A proven track record in sales, business development and revenue growth.

Experience in venues, hospitality, events or a similar customer-focused business.

Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting and understanding profitability.

Experience leading a team and managing operational performance.

Confidence building relationships and dealing with corporate clients.

A practical, organised approach and the ability to take ownership.

A willingness to be hands-on when needed.

This isn't a Monday-to-Friday, nine-to-five role. While much of your time will be focused on sales and business development, there will be occasions when you'll need to be onsite for evening and weekend events.

Why RNZYS?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established venue business with plenty of room to grow.

You'll be working from one of Auckland's best waterfront locations, with a broad mix of corporate, private, member and major international events.

We're looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas, build on what we already have and make a real difference to the commercial performance of the venue.