Events Manager - New London Architecture (NLA)

Salary: £32K + 2K Commission

Contract: Permanent. Full Time. Office-based.

NLA is London's Centre for the Built Environment. Our purpose is to bring people together to shape a  better city. We are an independent, research-led, membership-funded organisation with public galleries at The City Centre in EC2 and Coal Drops Yard, N1. Both venues feature large scale interactive models of central London and can facilitate many types of events.

Both NLA at The City Centre and NLA x Coal Drops Yard are the place to come to learn about and debate the built environment. Through exhibitions, events and learning activity, NLA centres provide in-person access for professionals, the public and young people, helping to inform good decision- making and inspiring young people to engage with the built environment.

NLA's actions are driven by our core values, which guide us to be Informed, Rigorous, Collaborative and Responsive in everything that we do. We run our own catering offer and provide space for in-person and hybrid panel discussions, conferences, breakfast talks, round tables and evening receptions.

Main responsibilities 

The Events Manager will take the lead on business development of commercial venue hire across NLA Centres and event spaces and be tasked with managing those events. The role will be mainly based at NLA at The City Centre - an exhibition and events venue in the Guildhall managed by NLA on behalf of the City of London Corporation. 

The  Events Manager will work closely with the NLA Head of Events and Venues, establishing client leads and strategies to secure new business and repeat bookings. The role is empowered to deliver against targets and manage the on-site events and catering team at both venues. 

This role is a key position in the NLA events team with responsibility for securing new business and ensuring the smooth delivery of high-quality events on behalf of a broad range of high-level clients and NLA members. Strong relationship management skills are essential as the role will act as a key liaison between NLA, its key stakeholders and leading London businesses.

Reports to: NLA Head of Events and Venues

Main duties and responsibilities 

• Supporting the Head of Events and Venues to develop an offer for commercial venue hire at  both NLA at The City Centre and NLA x Coal Drops Yard 
• Bringing in new business for venue hire and ensuring repeat business 
• Line management of Front of House Coordinator and Chef 
• Financial management: BD targets for commercial hire, operational budgets and monthly  reporting of front of house and public gallery. Handling petty cash and credit card receipts.
• Attendance and contribution at weekly NLA events meeting and leading City Centre ops/new business meetings
• Developing and maintaining internal and external client relationships 
• Preparation of event materials including badges, delegate lists and marketing materials etc.
• Front of house event management including registration, client management and checking event set up including technology
• Post event administration including but not limited to event archiving, evaluation form administration and client liaison
• Dealing with access requests and client deliveries
• Logging monthly stakeholder usage including financial information
• Monthly reporting of KPIs and deliverables
• Communications regarding upcoming events to the wider NLA team

Essential Skills

• 2 years (min) experience in business development and sales for the events industry
• 2 years (min) event management experience
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relations skills
• Proven ability to manage and supervise a team
• A clear grasp of the English language, using this to write clearly, concisely and professionally
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong ability to follow tasks through to completion
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Ability to accurately report and interrogate finances

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of handling finances and account logging. Xero accounting software
• Experience of managing a catering operation or organising event catering
• Experience of working for or with a local authority

Essential qualities

• Good time management
• The ability to prioritise effectively, managing a busy diary and varied workload to meet demands and deadlines - multi tasking
• High personal integrity, honesty, good timekeeping, inter?personal skills, ability to work under  pressure, whilst remaining patient and calm when dealing with clients and colleagues 
• Confident working with a good degree of autonomy and a flexible approach in terms of working hours and participation
• Team player
• Ability to take initiative; a self starter

To apply, please follow the link to our recruitment page where you can apply by sending your CV and covering letter no later than Wednesday, 18 August 2021.

Early applications are encouraged as we are keen to secure interviews before the deadline date.

Equal Opportunity   

It is the policy of NLA to treat all employees, visitors, and job applicants fairly and equally regardless of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, disability or union membership status.