Event Planner – Exeter Racecourse, Exeter | Full-Time / Permanent

£30k + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We’re looking for...

We’re looking for a confident, organised and customer-focused Event Planner to join our team at Exeter Racecourse! If you love bringing events to life, building brilliant client relationships and making sure every detail is taken care of, this is a fantastic opportunity to combine your passion for event planning with your commercial flair. You’ll play a key role in turning enquiries and bookings into memorable experiences, working closely with our sales and operations teams to deliver events that exceed expectations.

Event Planner – The Role

You’ll be the link between our sales and operations teams, ensuring every confirmed booking is carefully coordinated and every client receives an exceptional experience from their first venue visit through to the delivery of their event.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of the BEO (Banquet Event Order) and function sheet process, ensuring all event details are accurate, complete and shared with the relevant teams in good time.

• Coordinating confirmed bookings from the reactive sales team, ensuring a smooth handover from sales through to operations.

• Managing the venue show-round diary and conducting client visits to showcase Exeter Racecourse’s facilities and event spaces.

• Following up after show-rounds with the sales team, sharing key information, answering queries and helping convert opportunities into confirmed business.

• Identifying opportunities to upsell venue facilities, products and services to maximise revenue and exceed client expectations.

• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, sponsors and internal stakeholders, responding to enquiries and requests promptly and professionally.

• Building strong working relationships with sales teams, operational colleagues and clients to ensure clear communication throughout the event journey.

• Maintaining accurate booking records and customer information across relevant systems, following company procedures and standards.

• Keeping the wider sales team informed of customer feedback and event experiences to support meaningful follow-up and future business opportunities.

• Personally planning and coordinating a range of corporate, commercial and private conferences and events, ensuring all requirements are communicated and delivered effectively.

• Preparing floor plans, event schedules, signage, menus, table plans, place cards and other event materials.

• Attending operational meetings and coordinating relevant documentation, work orders and event requirements to support effective planning and delivery.

• Arranging additional event requirements, raising purchase orders and ensuring the accounts team receives accurate information in a timely manner.

• Managing deposits and supporting the invoicing and payment process, ensuring payments comply with agreed payment plans and terms and conditions.

• Where applicable, managing client online booking tools and coordinating client accounts and bookings with the operations team.

• Gathering customer feedback, handling concerns professionally and identifying opportunities to improve our service.

• Maintaining excellent standards of health, safety and hygiene, reporting accidents, near misses and other concerns in line with company procedures.

• Supporting colleagues across the venue, attending relevant training and contributing ideas that improve efficiency, service delivery and the overall customer experience.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in conference and events, event planning, hospitality or a similar customer-focused environment.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with clients, sponsors and colleagues at all levels.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with great attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• A proactive, commercially minded approach, with an eye for sales opportunities and a passion for maximising revenue.

• Confidence coordinating events, managing client requirements and ensuring information is communicated accurately.

• The ability to stay calm under pressure, think on your feet and find solutions when plans change.

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

• Experience using event booking systems such as Delphi, Gratis or similar platforms would be an advantage.

• A professional, diplomatic and approachable manner, with the confidence to handle customer feedback and resolve concerns.

• A positive, can-do attitude and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional service.

• A team-focused approach, with the initiative to work independently and the flexibility to support the wider business.

• A creative mindset and a willingness to share ideas and look for better ways of doing things.

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary and full company benefits.

• 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off and a holiday purchase scheme.

• Healthcare benefits through Medicash, including dental, optical and therapy treatments.

• Aviva Digicare, including a free annual healthcare check.

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, plus additional family-friendly benefits.

• An additional two days’ leave following your return from maternity leave during your first year back, and a day off for your baby’s first birthday.

• Exclusive shopping, entertainment and travel discounts through our Benefits & Wellbeing platform.

• Discounts on cinema tickets, Nuffield Health memberships, PureGym memberships and more.

• Pension scheme, Life Assurance and preferred rates on salary finance products.

• Meals on duty.

• Ongoing training, development opportunities and structured career pathways.

• Paid professional subscriptions where applicable.

• Financial wellbeing support and Vodafone discounts.

Why Join Us?

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential and thrive – because diversity is our strength!