We are seeking a commercially minded, driven individual who can bring a fresh perspective to maximising the profitability of the portfolio.

The post will be responsible for creating and delivering a strategy for hires which raises the profile of the venues and optimising their financial return, focussing principally on hiring out our unique venues for weddings, life events and other private hires, as well as product launches, trade fairs and conventions, corporate functions, charity fundraisers, community and school performances and filming opportunities.  

The role will be required to undertake proactive sales and will be responsible for delivering against a significant financial target. The postholder will need to quickly build strong relationships to successfully deliver on growth targets.

Main Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities

 

Maximising profit, achieving targets: Proactive Sales & Business Development

Increase annual venue hire income by 40% by March 2027

• Actively prospect for (including cold calling, email, face to face and social media) new business and new market opportunities, researching, identifying and generating new business including life events, conferences, conventions, filming opportunities and the development of the hire of the Museum spaces, maximising venue usage and increasing income.
• Network and foster relationships with local business leaders, deliver business cultivation events, represent WTM at industry events, wedding fairs, business meetings, Chamber of Commerce etc, developing our reputation as a professional and respected organisation that provides excellent customer service.
• Review and update current systems, policies and procedures in order to develop an improvement plan.
• Ensure that the profitability of every booking is maximised by working with colleagues across internal departments to identify opportunities for additional revenue and maximise overall profitability.
• Work with the Head of Technical & Production to monetise the hire of technical equipment and create packages that negate the need to hire equipment externally.
• Maximise hiring potential whilst working within the programming policy and WTM’s brand/values to allow space for the varied programme of events, liaising with the Head of Programming to work constructively in WTM’s best interests.
• Establish wedding ceremonies as a new profitable strand of business for WTM, procuring and setting up contracts with several wedding planners. 
• Manage the relationship with preferred caterers and suppliers, research, procure and contract suppliers, developing packages and commission rates. 
• Develop and train the team to be sales-focused, aiming to convert enquiries into bookings and proactively seeking new business, achieving sales-driven targets.
• Ensure that the team responds promptly to enquiries from potential customers, arranging venue show rounds and discussing their requirements. Increase the conversion rate of enquiries to bookings by 25%.
• Work with the Head of Development to cultivate corporate clients for sponsorship and donations.

 

Relationships & Client management

• Lead the team in fostering client relationships, building loyalty and maximising revenue, interacting with clients to learn about their needs and developing relationships to earn repeat and expanded business.
• Meet & greet key client contacts and organisers to check on their satisfaction and the setup on the event day. 
• Responsible for reviewing and evaluating client satisfaction post-event. Share results with relevant teams to improve performance and service delivery.
• Lead the development of the diary management system (YesPlan) to capture and analyse customer data for reporting effectively and to maximise sales from proactive selling. 
• Proactively use the diary management system to place strategic holds in line with parameters set out in the programming policy. Liaise with the Head of Programming to negotiate on space use where required.
• Ensure that any customer complaints are handled swiftly and effectively.

 

Promotion & Marketing

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing & Sales to develop and implement a targeted marketing strategy for WTM’s venue hire offer, ensuring campaigns align with the wider brand and organisational objectives.
• Build a profile for the venue hire offer on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, promoting Business to Business sales.
• Lead the creation of artwork and photography briefs that effectively showcase WTM’s event and conferencing spaces, working closely with the Marketing & Sales team to produce compelling visual assets.
• Actively cultivate and manage client testimonials and user-generated reviews (including on platforms such as Google) for use in promotional material and across digital channels, including the WTM website.
• Support the development of digital content and listings that promote WTM spaces for hire, ensuring consistency of tone and high-quality presentation.
• Evaluate the performance of marketing campaigns and initiatives relating to venue hire, identifying key learnings and areas for improvement to support increased enquiries and conversion.

 

Delivery

• Ensure events run smoothly and that client satisfaction is high.
• Ensure that the Venue Hire team deliver an effective and efficient customer service, maintaining the highest standards.
• Liaise with the Duty Manager (Venue Hire) to ensure that events run smoothly, analysing feedback to inform improvements to customer service and commercial growth.
• Authorise all hire agreements, liaising with the Exec on any political or reputational risks to manage these effectively. 
• Be the lead for Health, Safety & Wellbeing for the team, completing risk assessments and ensuring safe systems of work are in place for all departmental activities. Ensure all events and activities are delivered in line with WTM’s Health & Safety policies, venue licences and Equal Opportunities objectives.
• Support and oversee events as needed, including being on-site outside of office hours when weddings and key functions take place.

 

Budgets, Contract Management and Reporting

• Protect WTM’s financial interests at all times, managing the risk of all opportunities effectively.
• Ensure that commission rates with all suppliers are competitive to maximise revenue, excellent customer service is prioritised and suppliers are aligned with WTM’s values and sustainability objectives.
• Ensure that an effective deposit procedure is in place and that deposits are paid in a timely manner.
• Ensure all hires are fully paid in advance and that commissions from wedding planners, caterers and suppliers are received in a timely manner.
• Oversee and authorise venue hire settlement payments and invoices ensuring timely payment by hirers.
• Review and benchmark hire rates.
• Work with the Exec and Director of Finance & IT to set annual targets, monitoring and reporting results. Provide sales forecasts and analytics.
• Prepare business cases and business plans as required by the Exec and Trading Board.
• Prepare and present papers at quarterly Trading Subsidiary Board meetings and for Charity Board meetings as required.
• Contribute to the Annual Trustee Report which forms part of the statutory accounts and the annual review.
• Develop and provide key business data for decision making.

 

Other

• You will apply a flexible approach to the role, working unsocial hours as required on key functions and events including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as required.

 

What we expect from our Senior Managers

• Positive ambassador for WTM, ability to articulate our vision and inspire the team and external partners
• Work closely with the Exec to deliver the Business Plan and strategic objectives of the organisation, contributing to policies and procedures as required.
• Engage with Board members, attend Sub-Committee and Board meetings, delivering reports and presentations as required.
• Adopt a holistic approach to the organisation working closely with all departments for the best outcome for the charity.
• Lead by example, developing team member knowledge and skills, identifying personal development needs to support the effective delivery of WTM’s objectives.
• Ensure all team members understand the Vision, Mission, Values, business objectives and artistic vision of the charity.
• Nurture a culture of collaboration, respect and team working.
• Manage change and workplace conflict effectively with teams, ensuring good communication.
• Responsibility for ensuring WTM’s HR policies and procedures are implemented and the Code of Conduct is followed for direct line reports and the department.
• Hold quarterly department meetings with staff.

General duties of all WTM staff

• Undertake all duties in accordance with WTM policies, in particular those relating to Customer Care and Equal Opportunities.
• Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be allocated to the postholder, which may involve providing assistance in any section of the department as may be required from time to time.
• Undertake any duties regarding health, safety and welfare at work, civil contingencies and business continuity which may reasonably be allocated to the postholder as a result of legislation, codes of practice or WTM policies.
• Promote the service and WTM positively at all times.

The post holder will be required to undertake such other duties as may be required within the grade and competence of the postholder. Therefore, the list of duties in this job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.

Please note duties will be set out in this job description but please note that WTM reserves the right to update the job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, the role. The post holder will be consulted about any proposed changes. Significant permanent changes in duties and responsibilities will require agreed revisions to be made to this job description.

 

Personal Criteria – What You Bring

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• Significant experience of commercial venue hire with a track record of maximising profitability through events and conferencing and other associated income streams
• Business acumen.
• Financially astute with experience of effectively managing budgets and financial projections to ensure the best use of resources through prioritisation and planning.
• Proven people and communication skills and an ability to negotiate and persuade, both internally and with suppliers and other commercial partners, to deliver high returns.
• Experience of effective use and development of a CRM system to maximise sales.
• Understanding of exceptional customer care.
• Experience and understanding of relevant business licensing regulations including those relating to events and entertainment.
• A proven strong track record in using data to drive decision making.
• Experience in procurement and negotiating contracts. 
• Ability to work at a conceptual level as well as hands on delivery.
• Experience of effective sales and marketing through social media and business to business.
• Understanding of broader management functions beyond individual departments and applying a generous collaborative approach. 
• Proven ability to manage and inspire a team.
• Effective conflict and change management skills.
• Practical knowledge of risk management.
• Able to prioritise the urgent and important, and proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proven project management skills.
• Proven ability to write and present reports.
• Creative and proactive approach to problem solving.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office and/or Google equivalent and department specific software
• Up-to-date knowledge of GDPR.
• Willingness to work flexibly in line with the needs of the business and be available for some evening, weekend and bank holiday work.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion practice and behaviour
• Understanding of sustainability practice and how to apply this within the role responsibilities.

 

Desirable Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of the needs and governance of a charity in regards to trading activities. 
• Experience of social media content production and copywriting.

29/09/2025

Permanent, Full Time, Part Time