Head of Venue Sales and Marketing

Overview

Harrogate Convention Centre is one of the UK’s leading conference and exhibition venues in the heart of the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. The venue delivers circa £45m of economic impact each year to the North Yorkshire region. The recent announcement of a £7m investment in additional large flexible conference rooms will take the venue to the next level. HCC now requires an experienced conference and exhibition sales professional to lead the sales and marketing functions to even greater success.

In this senior role, you will be pivotal in developing and delivering our sales & marketing strategy and managing a team of professionals to ensure that Harrogate Convention Centre continues to grow income while enhancing the reputation of the venue as one of the leading conference centres in the UK. The Head of Venue Sales & Marketing will be responsible for driving the sales function to attract high quality conferences and exhibitions, while shaping the future marketing vision for the venue.

• Working with the Director of Harrogate Convention Centre to devise and monitor sales & marketing strategies for all market segments ensuring the venue is achieving its key performance indicators and wider strategic objectives.
• To lead both teams to maximise business development, in line with HCC’s business objectives to secure multi-year returning contracts and ancillary incomes.
• Strategically managing the venue bookings diary to maximise profit and minimise dark days.
• Strategically managing the venue bookings and monitoring the venue’s theoretical diaries to ensure the optimal product mix is achieved.
• Developing and leading the venue sales & marketing team, always being available to provide guidance, support, and direction on day-to-day activities, ensuring the Team’s work is coordinated across sectors to secure optimal diary utilisation, and high sales calls and conversion rates.
• Working with a range of partners and agencies, both internal and external, to develop and maintain cooperative relationships, such as Visit North Yorkshire and Events North Yorkshire.
• For further details please refer to the job description linked below.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about our industry, our destination, our venue and dedicated to securing long-term relationships and multi-year hire agreements with event organisers for many years to come.

We are looking for an experienced event Sales and Marketing professional that has significant managerial experience to draw from and has the drive and ambition to maximise the many opportunities the venue has to offer.

Harrogate Convention Centre is owned and operated by North Yorkshire Council and the successful candidate will secure a number of generous employment benefits including:

• Flexi working options.
• Local government pension scheme
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Employee discount benefits including shopping, supermarkets, gym discounts and more!
• Travel loans
• Health Assured – confidential help and support for your wellbeing

Click on our Total Rewards Brochure at the bottom of this advert to see the full range of benefits.

If you think you have the necessary qualities and experience we are looking for and would like an informal discussion in confidence prior to applying, then please contact Diane McDonald onald@ who will arrange a convenient time to discuss the role with the Director of Harrogate Convention Centre.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.