Head Of Events - National Theatre

Head Of Events - National Theatre, South Bank | Full-Time / Permanent

£70000 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

World Class Hospitality 

National Theatre Food & Drink is a unique and dynamic partnership driven by Levy and KERB, embedded within the National Theatre on the South Bank. Our ambition to create a world-class hospitality destination at the heart of the world's most iconic theatre is powered by our progressive people-first approach, centred on environmental and social sustainability. We celebrate inclusivity with purpose, putting the development and progression of our future leader’s centre stage. Our shared goal is to ensure all food and drink spaces support the NT's overall values, vision, and culture. 

Purpose 

Reporting to the F&D Director, you will be responsible for the overarching commercial and internal events department and development strategy, in both planning and execution. The main purpose of the role is to drive the financial growth of the business primarily through commercial events, and additionally by optimising existing spaces currently within the wider F&D portfolio. As a department head, you have a responsibility to lead, inspire, nurture and develop your team to deliver exceptional experiences, as well as to succeed financially. The Head of Events oversees both planning and proactive sales, working directly with the operations teams in running the department. You will hold overall responsibility for account management and business development as well as selling, planning, and delivering some of the larger and more complex events. This role is responsible for managing the key stakeholder relationship with the National Theatre, overseeing the delivery of major events throughout the year to support their fundraising goals. Maintaining and developing this partnership is essential, working collaboratively to provide world-class hospitality experiences. 

Core Function & Remit 

• Overall accountability for the sustained growth and perceived success of F&D Events 
• Deliver financial targets as defined by the F&D Budget in areas of sales & profitability 
• Direct line team management of Head of Event Planning and Event Sales Manager roles 
• Consistently maintain exceptional Client relationships with National Theatre key stakeholders 
• Oversee sales and event booking communications and strategy for all NT F&D managed spaces

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Event Planning & Delivery 

• Ensure events meet exceptional standards from enquiry through to eventual event experience 
• Deliver internal event program requirements for the NT, across broad spectrum of event needs 
• Maintain clear, accurate documentation including function sheets, contracts, and event briefs 
• Work closely with Culinary and Operations teams to deliver bespoke menus and seamless logistics 
• Acquiring, retaining and developing key booker relationships, driving repeat business consistently 
• Sustainability integrated robustly from initial menu engineering right through to event management 
• Ensure cost considerations and budget factors are held in firm focus whilst exceeding expectations

Team Leadership & Collaboration 

• Manage and develop the Events team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and support 
• Utilise stakeholder relationships across F&D HODs to drive performance and efficiency forwards 
• Support with ER issues in a compliant and timely way, supported by the People team as needed 
• Conduct regular meetings, mentoring and training to ensure staff are equipped to deliver confidently 
• Collaborate with Exec Chef, Operations, and Logistics teams to ensure effective, efficient comms 
• Drive F&D cultural agenda and values-focused behaviours throughout the Events dept. and beyond

Operational Excellence 

• Produce an accomplished P&L performance event-by-event which meets Budget requirements 
• Monitor event performance, client feedback, and financial outcomes to drive daily improvements 
• Ensure IPOE compliance with health & safety, allergen & food safety, and licensing regulations
• Effectively manage the Levy debt ledger to ensure that all owed monies are collected promptly 
• Work with internal staffing agency to ensure that staff supplied meet expectations and standards

Business Development 

• Develop and implement sales strategies to grow event revenue across all NT F&D spaces 
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate clients, tour operators, and hospitality partners Collaborate with NT marketing and partnerships teams to promote event offerings externally 
• Create compelling packages for weddings, private hire, corporates, and seasonal activations
• Converting incoming enquires into bookings to maximise pipeline position for the year ahead

Competency & Experience 

• Previous leadership role, preferably within a cultural/heritage venue, high end hotel or similar 
• Developing and implementing sales strategies to drive business growth and achieve objectives 
• Creating and managing budgets for sales and marketing activities and a grasp of financial reporting 
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated assurance in food, wine, spirits, and product trends 
• Articulating expectations, proposals, and feedback effectively to clients, team, and Directors 
• Skilled negotiator in terms and prices with clients and vendors while maintaining quality and profit 
• Quickly assessing and resolving issues and making well-considered decisions under pressure 
• Experience with all aspects of event specific and general health & safety requirements 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and retain your team 
• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities, with a persistent, finessed attention to detail 
• Proven track record of delivering a P&L, including effective labour budgeting and stock control

Personality 

✓ Drive: Goal-oriented and laser focused on the task-at hand, with a natural hunger to achieve exceptional results, taking joy in celebrating team successes and championing F&D Events

✓ Leadership: Displays maturity, presence, and excellent stakeholder management with aligned interpersonal skills to interact effectively at all levels whether internally or externally 

✓ Approach: Embraces the agility required to manage multiple events simultaneously, prioritise effectively, and maintain attention to detail in a dynamic environment with guest numbers of 200+ 

✓ People: Engages their team with the vision, values, and strategic direction of the business, coaching, mentoring, and developing individuals to grow and develop 

✓ Change: Innovates and leads the change discussion, focussing on improvements with key stakeholders, before enabling and empowering their teams always with a can-do approach Internal 

✓ Detail: Follows process and procedures to ensure smooth delivery of daily operations, including planning, to ensure all team members have the skills and desire to deliver seamlessly 

✓ Creative: a passion for innovation, drawing inspiration from the theatre’s artistic vision to deliver bespoke, themed events that are truly unique among our competitors 

✓ Diligence: Leads by example on all HSE practices across the department and implements best practice, valuing the responsibility that comes with the position within the business

Benefits 

• Access to ongoing training and development opportunities through GROW program 
• Perks at Work – savings and discounts for everyday shopping and experiences 
• Generous holiday allowance with the option of to purchase additional leave 
• Private Pension scheme with a company matches up to 6% 
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme 
• Medicash Healthcare and Life Assurance 
• Long Service Rewards and recognition 
• 15% off all outlets with the National Theatre, with a 25% discount in the Bookshop. 
• Kerb Card - 50% discount on drinks and 20% discount on food at Seven Dials Market. 
• Complimentary tickets to shows at the National Theatre (subject to availability) 
• O2 – last minute ticket offers for O2s show in our VIP box (subject to availability.) 
• Onsite parking – parking is available at a discounted rate of £4 per day