Head of Venues

Handle Recruitment are on the lookout for a Head of Venues to join our client's global live events business in Manchester.

About the Client

Handle Recruitment's client is a multifaceted international company headquartered in London that creates, develops, owns, and operates a diverse portfolio of spaces, events, and experiences.

The client is committed to redefining how people experience music, art, culture, and recreation by breaking down traditional barriers. Their history and heritage are deeply rooted in music, having built a portfolio of 20 global festivals before selling that portfolio in 2019 to focus on an expanding array of venue spaces. These include Printworks London, Depot Mayfield Manchester, The Beams London, Exhibition White City, and Magazine London.

Salary: £60,000+

Location: Manchester On-site 42.5 hours per week Permanent

The Opportunity

This role will work alongside the Director of Venue to lead operations across three major venues in Manchester. These spaces host a broad mix of brand activation's, corporate events, ticketed cultural programming, and film productions.

The ideal candidate is a strategic business leader with a strong commercial sales background who will play a critical role in delivering the client's venue strategy. This individual will be responsible for driving growth across the venues and will oversee sales, operations, and facilities management, while also managing the sales team and the Deputy Head of Space.

Key Responsibilities

Sales

• Lead the wider space team in defining and implementing successful sales strategies, including:
• Identifying new event opportunities and conducting market/competitor analysis
• Business development and proactive sales outreach
• Building and maintaining key client relationships
• Ensure sales targets are achieved and KPIs are consistently monitored.
• In collaboration with the Head of Sales, negotiate and convert multi-year and high-value contracts, managing key clients as needed.

Marketing

• Collaborate with the central Marketing team and other venue leaders to define data-driven marketing strategies for the Manchester venues.
• Deliver marketing strategies and targets, ensuring continuous monitoring of KPIs.

Finance

• Ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Own and manage P&Ls for each venue, including forecasting, cost tracking (e.g., business rates), and financial reporting to senior leadership.

Operations

• Ensure venues meet all planning, licensing, and statutory obligations.
• Streamline and execute operational policies and processes to ensure best practices across all spaces.
• Support new space activations by guiding colleagues and educating the team on operational standards.

New Spaces

• Provide consultation and advice on new venue acquisitions.
• Support the Director of Broadwick Spaces in launching new venues.

Property Management

• Lead facilities management to meet high standards in cost control, performance, and process efficiency.
• Adhere to lease agreements, health and safety documents, legal requirements, and JV contracts.
• Integrate strategies developed by the Property Management team into local venue operations.

Projects

• Lead and support various strategic projects aligned with the client's vision and business plan, including:
• Data management improvements (e.g., Event Works system development)
• Regional space strategy execution
• Implementation of a Best-in-Class approach across Broadwick Spaces operations

Team Leadership

• Oversee payroll coordination, including salaries, new starters/leavers, and bonus administration.
• Manage recruitment efforts and resource planning.
• Drive performance management, professional development, and HR processes for direct reports.
• Foster a culture aligned with the client's values and principles.
• Identify training needs and collaborate with senior leaders on staff development.

Stakeholder & Compliance

• Develop and manage key relationships with stakeholders such as landlords, local authorities, and emergency services.
• Hold or be willing to obtain a Personal Licence and act as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) if required.

Who we are looking for:

• Proven track record in developing and executing business strategies for multi-venue operations
• Extensive leadership experience overseeing sales, operations, and full venue teams
• Strong commercial acumen, with expertise in sales, negotiation, budgeting, and financial reporting
• Deep understanding of local event markets and operational logistics
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally with marketing, brand, and venue teams
• Skilled in KPI management and multi-project coordination under pressure
• Strong knowledge of compliance, health & safety, and facility legislation
• Proficiency with Mac, G-Suite, and Microsoft Office

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Personal Licence Holder
• IOSH or NEBOSH Health & Safety qualifications
• Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
• Familiarity with Event Works or similar software
• Experience using or other project management tools
• SIA qualification

Apply below today if you have the relevant management experience!

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.