Corporate Events Operations Manager
Corporate Events Operations Manager
Reporting to – Head of Catering
Department – Corporate Events
House – 40 hours a week
CORPORATE AND HOSPITALITY EVENTS
No day is ever the same when you join our Corporate & Hospitality Events Team – we deliver knockout events week-in-week-out for some of the UK’s biggest brands.
One day you may be taking care of delivering on-track action for our corporate clients in our roaring Aston Martins and the next, you may be delivering an exhibition for 3000.
We’re a highly motivated, innovative and specialised group of Event managers, coordinators and assistants. We oversee all aspects of an event from catering (delivering over 30,000+ business lunches a year!), AV, security, cleaning to health and safety and budget management. We love bringing any story to life with the creativity of our team of experts and the flexibility of our impressive International Conference & Exhibition Centre with 22 flexible spaces, and the on-site Hilton Garden Inn.
JOB PURPOSE
We are seeking an outstanding operator with a proven track record in corporate events, you will lead, develop, manage, and motivate a high performing team to ensure our clients receive services of the highest standard and will play a key role in account development plans and leading change management processes.
Working with the Sales Manager, Executive Chef and Food Service Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the operational delivery of all on-site Conference & Corporate, MICE, and Track events in accordance with the company policies, objectives, and procedures, and within agreed budget and profit margins.
Your leadership qualities will be key in supporting your team and be fundamental to the success of the department. Ensuring each member of your team is motivated and productive will be essential. You will need to play an active operational role in delivering the best service and engaging with clients on the front line.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strong all-round operational skills to lead a large diverse operation.
- Take full operational accountability for the planning, design, and delivery of events across the corporate events portfolio.
- Lead, develop and progress the site wide venue interaction of stakeholders, diary management and business departments to ensure smooth operational delivery.
- Manage and progress the department strategy in line with the SCL business objectives.
- Work with the sales team to ensure effective flow of event information, data, tariffs, and costs.
- Set operational budgets and review costs lines on a frequent basis.
- To work with other departments, support services and business stakeholders to deliver corporate events across a range of buildings and venues on site.
- To support the Head of Sales and contribute towards a sales and marketing strategy for the Corporate Events team.
- Continually review process and customer feedback to ensure client satisfaction and repeat business levels are achieved.
- To set and monitor KPI targets for the team.
- Be an advocate and ambassador for Silverstone, developing strong positive relationships across all areas of the business, clients, and suppliers.
- Lead from the front and demonstrate a hands-on approach as needed.
- In conjunction with other department heads, manage the Corporate Events department Health & Safety policies and processes, ensuring they are consistently implemented and adhered to.
- Manage the recruitment plan in line with company process and policy, planning seasonal, fulltime, and casual business requirements.
- Ensure that all activities covered by the department are communicated effectively and in a timely manner throughout the company and to all relevant stakeholders.
- Manage and continually nurture trusted relationships with key business stakeholders.
- Drive standards and product innovation across the Corporate Events team services.
- Ensure department process, SOP’s and policies are kept up to date.
- To drive innovation within our corporate events products including mapping customer journey, market trends and competitor analysis.
- To facilitate and support in the development of in-house systems and processes, as well as new systems required for business expansion.
- Attend weekly planning meetings and event briefings as required.
- To support on site wide operational projects where required by senior management or directors.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
- To manage, develop and mentor a team supporting workloads to ensure the commercial and operational success of the events.
- Work with the senior event managers within the department to plan, develop and implement the professional development and training needs.
- Create a positive, proactive culture and environment.
- Promote the professional image of the company by ensuring high standards of both professionalism and personal presentation.
- Take responsibility for reviewing activity within the venue through regular meetings and communication with the onsite operational teams.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performance will be monitored against the following:
- Objectives set through the Personal Development Review (PDR) process.
- Financial management of the profit & loss account and assist with the budgeting process for the department.
- Ensure financial systems, processes and cost control procedures are adhered to.
- Working with other Department Head of Teams, deliver the month end financial reconciliation process.
- Create SOPs for all event deliverables.
- Liaise and negotiate with suppliers/contractors, to ensure products and services are delivered on budget and to the best possible service standard safely.
- Manage staffing costs and rotas for the department in line with the budget.
- Responsible to keeping business systems and process are accurate and up to date.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Executive Chef, Food Service Operations Manager & Catering Team
- Drive and Ride Team
- Estate & Facilities Manager
- Finance, IT teams
- Sales & Marketing team
- Hilton hotel & Escapade Living
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience working within a diverse Conference & Banqueting, hospitality or events environment.
- IOSH Managing Safety Qualified, Personal Licence Holder, Level 3 Food and Health & Safety Track and Manufacturer experience (desirable).
- Commercially and operationally minded with a proven hands-on approach.
- Ability to take ownership and problem solve, is proactive and self-motivated.
- Proven leadership ability in managing and developing teams.
- Excellent eye for detail, with strong organisational, time management & interpersonal skills.
- Flexible approach in working hours – including weekends and evenings.
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office and business operating IT systems such as diary management systems.
- Full clean UK driving licence.
- Motivates and empowers others to reach business goals.
- Distinctive, professional and a warm personality.
- Fluent in written & spoken English with strong communication skills.
- Demonstrates conviction in finding innovative approaches to solutions.
SUSTAINABILITY
We don’t just look after our team and our fans. We want to look after our world too. We’re committed in our responsibility to reach our zero-carbon goal. So, we’ve adopted greener methods within our workplace, donated more than 20 tonnes of surplus food, and installed over 2,700 solar panels which generates 13% of our venue’s power – with all other energy from 100% renewable sources. Our dedication has earned us Three Star FIA Environmental Accreditation, but this is just the start.