Venue Manager

Venue Manager Reports To Heritage Manager Location Powderham, Devon Terms Full Time / Permanent; fixed-term or part-time (pro rata) considered Days Variable including evenings, nights and weekends Annual Leave 30 days per year Pension Eligible to join the company pension scheme Salary Band 4 (£30,000 - £35,000) As Powderham embarks on the growth phase of its 5-year strategic plan, we are investing in our future by expanding our management team to help deliver this exciting vision for the future.

These roles will play a key part in expanding and supporting our established team, working closely with an experienced and supportive senior leadership group. Purpose The Venue Manager will play a central role in supporting Powder hams mission to welcome as many people as possible to the Estate and ensure it remains a thriving, relevant, and generous place for the community.

The role will oversee the day-to-day delivery of Powder hams venue operations including weddings, functions, corporate hire, festivals, and event hospitality, ensuring each activity is well-planned, safe, commercially effective, and delivered to the highest possible standard. Managing a team of Venue Coordinators, the Venue Manager will provide management, operational structure, and clear direction across the venue team; supporting colleagues across the Heritage and Attraction departments;

and will ensure that events, bookings, and hospitality contribute positively to Powder hams long-term sustainability, reputation, and visitor experience. This is a hands-on operational role requiring excellent organisational skills, leadership by example, and confidence in managing live events. Acting as the senior Duty Manager on site, the Venue Manager will ensure staff, suppliers, and clients are supported, safety standards are upheld, and events exceed expectations.

Key Responsibilities Team Management Line manage the venue coordinators, providing support, supervision, guidance and event delivery Assist with recruitment, induction, training and performance reviews for the venue and bank teams Create rotas and schedules to ensure appropriate management cover for all events Foster a collaborative, positive and supportive working environment Lead by example in customer service and operational standards and practice Event and Venue Operations Oversee day-to-day delivery of weddings, functions, corporate hire, festivals and event hospitality Act as senior Duty Manager, responsible for cash handling, customer care, key holder responsibilities and first aid response Working with the Castle Manager, support room set up, furniture moves and logistics between events and public opening Troubleshoot and resolve operational challenges calmly and effectively Drive sales performance across weddings, functions, and hospitality by supporting the Venue Coordinators in enquiry handling, show rounds, proposals, upselling opportunities, and achieving targets Provide regular guidance, feedback and support to ensure revenue goals are met across the department Sales Leadership and Performance Management Take overall responsibility for driving venue sales across weddings, ceremonies, corporate hire, functions, hospitality and in time third-party events, ensuring all revenue streams contribute to annual targets Lead the Venue Coordinators in enquiry handling, proactive outreach, showround delivery, proposal writing, negotiation and upselling, ensuring consistent excellence in communication and client care Monitor, track and report on KPIs including enquiry response times, conversion rates, pipeline value, revenue forecasts, budget performance and customer satisfaction metrics Develop and implement sales strategies to grow sales, improve conversion, increase yield and maximise use of venue spaces throughout the year Ensure accurate sales record-keeping, documentation and performance reporting through our CRM systems to support informed decision making across the department Identify opportunities for development, package creation, pricing improvements, and promotional activity in collaboration with the Heritage Manager and Marketing Team Regularly review and coach team members on sale techniques and enquiry management to strengthen performance and achieve departmental goals Maintain strong working relationships with external partners, corporate clients, and agencies to raise Powder hams profile and offering to generate new business leads Christmas at the Castle - Build and Break Management Lead operational oversight for the build and break of Christmas at the Castle, ensuring all contractors, suppliers, and operational teams work safely, effectively and to schedule onsite Work externally onsite throughout November (build) and January (break).,

coordinating logistics, access, scheduling and Health and Safety across the grounds Collaborate with freelance Event Managers who oversee the live event period, which allows this role to focus on planning for the following year and ensuring…