Venue and Commercial Manager

Lead our landmark Engine Shed venue and shape unforgettable experiences at the heart of student life. Bring creativity, commercial drive, and operational excellence to one of Northampton's most iconic spaces.

Northampton Students' Union is searching for an exceptional Venue & Commercial Manager to take the reins of The Engine Shed-our beautifully restored Grade II listed railway building and the beating heart of Waterside Campus. This is a rare opportunity to lead a venue that blends historic character with modern capability, delivering vibrant student events, standout commercial functions, and unforgettable experiences for our community.

By day, The Engine Shed is a welcoming social hub where students meet, collaborate, and create memories. By night-and throughout the year-it transforms into a distinctive destination for live events, corporate functions, weddings, conferences, and community celebrations. We're looking for someone who can harness this potential, driving both operational excellence and commercial growth while championing inclusivity, sustainability, and outstanding service.

As Venue & Commercial Manager, you will lead the operational, creative, and commercial development of the venue. You'll oversee daily operations across the Bar & Café, conferencing, and events, ensuring every aspect of the venue is safe, compliant, welcoming, and running at peak performance. You'll line manage a diverse team-including the Deputy Venue Manager, Caterer, casual staff, and security-creating a positive, collaborative culture where staff thrive and students feel supported.

You'll be the driving force behind our events programme, coordinating everything from student socials to corporate conferences and weddings. You'll work closely with clients to understand their vision, delivering bespoke, high quality experiences that set The Engine Shed apart. You'll also lead on developing new income streams, crafting business plans, and presenting performance reports to the Commercial Strategy Meeting.

Commercial acumen is key. You'll manage budgets, monitor financial performance, refine pricing strategies, and ensure strong cost control. You'll also oversee stock management, purchasing, and cash handling, ensuring compliance with SU financial procedures. Your ability to interpret data-tracking conversion metrics from web clicks to confirmed bookings-will help maximise the venue's commercial potential.

Collaboration is central to this role. You'll work with the Marketing & Communications team to deliver compelling campaigns, build relationships with local businesses and community partners, and champion The Engine Shed's sustainability credentials. You'll also work closely with University Estates, Campus Services, elected officers, and SU leadership to ensure the venue continues to evolve in line with student needs and organisational strategy.

As the designated Premises Supervisor, you'll ensure full compliance with the Licensing Act 2003, conduct regular risk assessments, and lead staff training on health and safety and emergency protocols.

If you're an experienced venue operator with creativity, commercial instinct, and a passion for delivering exceptional experiences, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the next chapter of The Engine Shed-where community, innovation, and unforgettable moments come together.