Join an exciting new chapter at Winchester Science Centre! This dynamic role offers the chance to be at the forefront of our rapidly growing events programme, managing corporate relationships and enhancing our brand within the hospitality sector. With a unique venue featuring a 168-seat Planetarium and interactive exhibits, you ll be instrumental in delivering unforgettable events while making a real impact at a charity that's all about inspiring and engaging communities. If you're a proactive, target-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, this is your chance to shine!
Job Advert: Events Officer (Venue Hire & Corporate Relations)
Hours: Between 3-5 days per week (22.5-37.5 hours). Please note the advertised salary and holiday is based on working 37.5 hours per week so therefore salary and pay will be adjusted according to the agreed weekly hours.
Work pattern: A flexible work pattern will be required to accommodate a varying events schedule, including some weekends and evenings.
Salary: £26,500-£30,000 per annum (full-time)
Contract: Permanent
Line manager: Head of Programming
Responsible for: Birthday Party Host, Inspirers and Event Casuals
Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (full-time). Option to buy/sell some leave and gain additional days for continuous service after four years. The post-holder will be expected to work some bank holidays when duties require, for which time off in lieu will be available.
Location: Between both sites - Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, SO21 1HZ and Wonderseekers HQ, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE.
Benefits: Cash health scheme, life assurance, buy/sell annual leave, long service holiday bonus, café and shop discount, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, free tickets to WSC and partner attractions, family friendly leave, wellbeing policy, mental health first aiders, cycle to work scheme, financial loans, flexible IT, casual dress, staff events, enhanced pension contribution and pension salary sacrifice scheme, inflationary pay rise subject to charity performance and more.
Application deadline and interviews: The application deadline is Thursday 10th April 2025 at 9am with interviews likely to take place between 22nd 29th April. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, as we may invite suitable applicants for interview before the stated deadline. We therefore reserve the right to close the recruitment process early.
Please contact us if you d like to arrange an informal chat or have any questions about the role before applying by emailing - see website for contact details.
About our Charity
Wonderseekers (the Charity behind Winchester Science Centre) strives to engage all children with science so they can live happier, healthier and more sustainable lives and contribute to improving life on earth. The Charity runs Winchester Science Centre - a vibrant, hands-on experience for young children. Promising an exciting day out for families, with curriculum-linked trips for schools and an evening events programme, the Science Centre welcomes over 170,000 visitors every year. Through our magnificent planetarium and live science experiences, science is brought to life in imaginative, fun and accessible ways that means everyone is included.
The Role
The Events Officer (Venue Hire & Corporate Relations) is a brand-new role within our Programming team. We are seeking a proactive, target driven Events professional with great interpersonal skills, who thrives in a busy working environment and who will enjoy making a valuable contribution to our Charity. The ideal candidate will be commercially driven and have a strong background in venue hire management and corporate relationship development, with experience in delivering successful events that meet client expectations and business objectives. The role will work alongside a team of professionals who each deliver the core programme for our iconic visitor attraction.
Key Responsibilities
Venue Hire Management
* Successfully deliver budgeted income targets for venue hires.
* Oversee the booking, scheduling, and coordination of venue hire events at Winchester Science Centre ensuring seamless execution from start to finish.
* Manage client inquiries and provide expert advice on venue availability, layout options, and event suitability.
* Develop and maintain an efficient booking system for venue hire, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
* Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all event logistics are handled efficiently.
Corporate Relationships
* Build and nurture relationships with corporate clients, including event organisers and business partners.
* Identify new opportunities for corporate event bookings, leveraging existing networks and prospecting new leads.
* Maintain regular communication with corporate clients to ensure expectations are met, providing a high level of customer service and post-event follow-up.
* Act as the primary point of contact for corporate clients, providing guidance and support throughout the event planning and execution process.
Event Planning & Coordination
* Support clients in planning and coordinating events held within the Science Centre, utilising the venues unique attributes.
* Coordinate logistics with internal teams such as catering, AV requirements, duty management.
* Ensure that event hires align within the Wonderseekers charitable objectives.
* Management of individual event budgets maximising resources and ensuring budgeted targets are met.
Sales & Marketing Support
* Contribute to the development and execution of marketing campaigns aimed at promoting the venue and corporate event services.
* Assist with the preparation of promotional materials, proposals, and presentations to prospective corporate clients.
Operational support
* Duty Managing on the day of events and being responsible for motivating, inspiring and delegating tasks to team members, ensuring events are operating at maximum efficiency through rota management.
* Act as Duty Manager, when needed, being responsible for the whole building.
* Overseeing the visitor experience journey for events, ensuring customers have a memorable and positive experience.
* Be an excellent team player and lead by example.
* Overseeing event set up and building management during events including maintaining general cleanliness, reporting faults to the Estates team, completing health and safety and fire alarm checks as required and routinely inspecting facilities both inside and outside.
* Overseeing bar, admissions and retail operations during an event when required.
* To follow risk assessments, health and safety standards, safeguarding and access requirements providing a safe, secure and accessible environment for our visitors.
* Remaining calm and in control in order to assist in challenges such as customer complaints and changing staffing needs.
* Work closely across departments to ensure high-quality delivery.
* General events support such as cleaning, tidying, restocking and serving refreshments.
Key Skills and Experience
* Minimum of 2 years experience in event management, with a focus on venue hire and corporate client relationships.
* Proven track record in managing corporate events and driving sales.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and maintain relationships with clients and customers at all levels.
* Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.
* Problem-solving and decision-making skills, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Interview Process:
We look forward to getting to know you through our friendly and welcoming interview process. The interview is likely to include a pre-interview task and questions from our panel. Interview questions will be circulated in advance.
We can t wait to hear from you! Please contact us if you d like to arrange an informal chat, or have any questions about the role before applying - see website for contact details.
Ready to Apply?
When you are ready to apply, please submit your application through our recruitment portal.
You will be asked to submit your contact details and answer a few questions so we can get to know you. Please keep your responses concise, this is your opportunity to really stand out. After answering these questions, please upload your cover letter and CV.
Need information in a different format or would like to apply in an alternative way? Just get in touch using the email address above or call our office and book a call with HR.
No recruitment agencies, thank you.