Overview
Cairns Farm is a 1000 acre working sheep farm estate, located in a fabulous rural countryside at the foot of the Pentland Hills, near Kirknewton, yet only 8 miles from Edinburgh.
Privately owned by the Hamilton’s, the family decided to diversify the original farm offering and in 2020, opened a beautifully repurposed sheep barn, perfect for many occasions for up to 150 guests. The Barn offers a purpose-built contemporary space with heritage charm, including a spacious main area with panoramic windows looking out over the Pentlands, and a light-filled reception room. The farm also offers accommodation for 24 guests in 12 bedrooms spread across the farm.
The venue now offers a scenic setting for a wide variety of private events from celebrations and weddings to meetings, team-building retreats, seminars, workshops, and rural retreats.
Since opening, Cairns has been run under a management contract by an events caterer. Moving ahead, the family are keen to become more involved with the business, and hence we are bringing the entire operation back in-house.
We are keen to recruit an enthusiastic and passionate onsite Events and Sales Manager, to take the lead and work with the family and the rest of the onsite team (admin and farming teams) to establish our new operating structure, developing new systems, working with new caterers and suppliers, and overseeing incoming enquiries and working proactively to develop new markets for the business. It’s a small team based at Cairns, and a super exciting time for the right person to become involved, take ownership, and help us to grow the business!
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Event and Sales Manager to join our team, ideally as soon as possible, either starting in December or early January at the very latest.
The ideal candidate will possess a passion for hospitality and a strong background in managing events, ensuring that each occasion is executed flawlessly. This role requires exceptional organisational skills, effective communication abilities, and a keen eye for detail. The Events and Sales Manager will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of events, from conception to completion, while providing outstanding guest services.
Main Duties
* Plan and oversee all events, including logistics, catering, and guest services. Events will include weddings, meetings, retreats, ticketed one-off events, community events, and any other ideas we can drum up!
* Deliver commercial revenue targets as agreed.
* Collaborate with clients to understand their vision and requirements for each event.
* Manage budgets and ensure that all events are delivered within financial parameters.
* Take ownership of events diary management.
* Plan a wide variety of meetings, private events, weddings and group bookings.
* Effectively process all events and ensure they are professionally handled throughout the enquiry stage, sales process, through to the completion and signing of contract.
* Ensure that all information collected for a booking is directly inputted into the Cairns CMS/events platform and kept up to date at all times.
* Liaise with all staff in the venue in the lead up and during the event to ensure a smooth transition to operations.
* Manage 3rd party supplier relationships, including caterers, activities, entertainment, florists, etc.
* Implement effective time management strategies to ensure timely execution of all event tasks.
* Handle event invoicing.
* Promote upselling opportunities to enhance the overall guest experience.
* Develop an all year round events business model.
* Plan and deliver open days to maximise the opportunity to achieve additional revenue opportunities.
* Alongside the owners, conduct an annual review of competitor venues to ensure our offering remains relevant to the market segments and meets the financial requirements for the business.
* Contribute towards marketing activity including website updates, social media delivery, and the production of marketing collateral as required.
* Assist front of house with running events as required. This will not be for all events, but the General Manager (also to be recruited in due course) may require help on some occasions. Welcome clients and ensure guests are well looked after. This will require some weekend and evening work.
* Ensure all events are compliant with Health and Safety.
* Be a proud ambassador for Cairns, representing the venue at industry and networking events as required.
Requirements
* Proven experience in event management or a related field within the hospitality industry.
* Experience in hotel or exclusive use environments is essential.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a focus on guest services.
* Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
* A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong attention to detail.
* Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required by event schedules.
* Good working knowledge of Word, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.
* Prior experience of using a hotel PMS or events platform and CRM system is essential.
* Have an interest in Scottish agritourism, and also CSR activities, promoting Cairns as a sustainable and environmentally friendly venue.
* Prior hands-on operations experience within a hotel or event setting would be helpful.
* Personal Alcohol licence would be handy but not essential.
* Access to a car and full driving licence is essential.
* Happy to work onsite at Cairns (this is not a home working position, except for on the odd occasion).
This role is full time, with an element of flexibility required with regards to hours and days depending on event requirements. Some weeks may require more hours/days if we have events booked in, and some less.
If you are passionate about creating memorable experiences and possess the necessary skills to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
To Apply
Please send your CV along with an accompanying email with some information about yourself, and why you feel you would be a good fit for the role. Note applicants who only send a CV without an accompanying email will NOT be considered.
All applications must go via to rosemary@heritagehospitalityconsulting.co.uk (Rosemary is a hospitality consultant who is currently working with the family to assist the transition to become a self-managed venue). Please do not email the venue directly.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £30,000.00-£33,000.00 per year
Additional pay:
* Tips
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Company events
* Company pension
* Employee discount
* Flexitime
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
* Weekend availability
Experience:
* events: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 09/12/2024
Reference ID: Events Manager
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