Business Development and Events Manager

Job Purpose: 

To oversee the management and growth of Venue Hire for our historic spaces covering meetings, conferences, talks, weddings and community activities. This is our primary source of income and key to supporting our library and learning programme, alongside our theatre income and fundraising.

The role will also lead on identifying and developing new business opportunities for other commercial income streams, building relationships with clients and partners, and ensuring that commercial activity supports the Foundation’s charitable purpose and long-term sustainability.

Optimising the use of space to ensure that St Bride Foundation (SBF) operates profitably as well as meeting the needs of our communities is a key part of the role. The Business Development and Events Manager will oversee the Venue Hire activity and promote the venue’s room resources, as well as supporting the Library and Workshop in the organisation of in-house courses, seminars and events.

Key Responsibilities: 

Events Management

• Manage the Events Team activity of promoting and selling the venue’s event spaces, ensuring SBF has good visibility on all relevant venue hire websites.
• Responding to and converting enquiries and monitoring conversion effectiveness.
• Managing clients’ needs for booked events.
• Negotiating contracts for both short and long-term use; and ensuring that all aspects of the venue are fit for purpose.
• Identify new networks and online promotions to promote the SBF offer

Be responsible, along with the Operations Manager and Foundation Manager, to the Board for:

• Setting and achieving yearly and monthly income budgets, including quarterly forecasting and planning.
• All aspects of pricing and contract negotiation for areas of responsibility including catering, furniture hire, keyholding and cleaning. Ensure service, pricing and contracts are regularly reviewed.
• Working “hands-on” within a small team, getting involved in all aspects of delivering a quality service, monitoring and reviewing customer experience and satisfaction.
• Assisting the Operations Manager with Health & Safety and compliance issues relating to your area of responsibility.
• Line management responsibility for Event Coordinators and Venue Assistant. Overseeing and supporting the Events Team with smooth running of SBF and external events. Ensure time management and priorities are managed for line reports.
• Support SBF marketing efforts working with the Events team on social media content and website updates.
• Act as an ambassador for St Bride Foundation, upholding its mission to preserve and promote print and design heritage. Actively contribute to SBF redevelopment plans in terms of future planning for events and building operations.
• Engage with stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries, to strengthen community and fundraising efforts. 
• Support and contribute to initiatives that enhance the Foundation’s impact, such as public engagement events, educational programmes, and collaborative partnerships. 
• Complete ongoing staff training to include Health & Safety, compliance and other related topics as required by the organisation. 

Business Development & Commercial Growth

• Develop and implement a proactive business development strategy for Venue Hire, identifying new clients, partners and commercial opportunities, as well as additional marketing/outreach activities to boost income during quieter periods.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective clients and strategic partners, converting opportunities into new and repeat business.
• Develop relationships with event agencies, corporate organisations, professional bodies, cultural and educational organisations and other relevant networks.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue through repeat bookings, new event formats, longer-term agreements, partnerships and additional services.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, customer feedback and venue performance to inform pricing, product development and sales activity.
• Establish and report on business development KPIs, including pipeline value, enquiry-to-booking conversion, repeat business, occupancy, average booking value and revenue growth.
• Work collaboratively with Marketing, Fundraising, Learning, Library and Workshop teams to develop opportunities that support both the Foundation's commercial and charitable objectives.
• Work with fundraising to develop incentives and cross promotions between sponsorship/membership and venue hire and identify other synergies between the physical SBF assets and the fundraising function

Essential Qualifications & Experience: 

• Proven experience of business development, sales, partnership-building or income generation, ideally within a venue, cultural, charitable or heritage setting.
• Proven experience of planning and delivering events end-to-end, on time and within budget. Working with teams on a varied programme of activities for a diverse mix of audiences.
• Experience of working with volunteers running workshops and events, overseeing all aspects of delivery.
• Experience working with external partners, including community groups, local authorities and sponsors.
• Line management experience of an events team, including support with managing workload and personal development objectives.
• Experience of identifying new clients, generating leads, converting enquiries and developing repeat business or longer-term client relationships.
• Experience of using data, customer insight or market research to inform sales activity, pricing, service development or income targets.
• Experience in the charitable, cultural, or heritage sector preferred.

Key Skills & Competencies: 

• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues arising during events including those relating to AV, catering and general experience of attendees to ensure seamless delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Confidence in briefing and managing event speakers including volunteers and SBF Trustees to ensure smooth running of events.
• Confident relationship-builder, able to develop networks with corporate clients, event agencies, cultural partners, community organisations and other stakeholders.
• Able to set, monitor and report on business development activity and income-related KPIs, including enquiry conversion, occupancy, repeat business and revenue growth.
• Risk assessment and mitigation in event spaces and knowledge of licensing, insurance, accessibility and inclusion requirements.
• Financial management and budgeting, including forecasting and reporting of our events revenue.
• Strong IT skills, including CRM systems, ticketing platforms and newsletters.
• A passion for the arts, heritage, and education, with a strong commitment to the Foundation’s vision and values.

Organisational Values & Expectations: 

• Promote and uphold St Bride Foundation’s commitment to cultural preservation, lifelong learning, and community engagement. 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and external partners to support the Foundation’s charitable objectives. 
• Uphold ethical standards and best practices in charity governance and operations. 

 Health & Safety Responsibilities: 

• Ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety policies and charitable sector guidelines. 
• Promote a safe and inclusive environment for colleagues, volunteers, and visitors.
• Act as a Fire Marshal and Emergency First Aider.

Terms & Conditions: 

• Working Hours: 8 hours per day (including one-hour unpaid lunchbreak), five days per week. You will work on rotation with other members of the Events Team, on one of the following core hour slots: 08:30–16.30, 10:00–18:00, 12:00–20:00 or 14:00–22:00 with one hour lunch. Due to the flexible nature of the work you may be required to work outside of these times. Shifts will be planned and agreed in advance with the other members of the Events team. Ad hoc weekend work will be required from time to time.