Interim Head of Events
Job Description
Reports to: General Manager
Department: Events
Number of reports: 4
Role Summary
The primary function of the role is to oversee the effective planning and delivery of the Events and Venue Support Department at Central Hall Westminster but also providing support across the Central Hall Venues portfolio.
Central Hall Westminster (CHW) Ltd is owned by Trustees appointed by the Methodist Church; as such we aim to conduct business in line with the ethics of the Methodist Church and our Central Hall Venues (CHV) values. CHV is the brand name for the portfolio of venues run by CHW Ltd.
Location and working pattern
The role is based at our principal venue in Westminster with travel to new and existing venues in the UK on occasion. The working pattern is 5 days out of 7 flexed as appropriate to meet the needs of the business and to attend networking events..
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Events team management:
- Scheduling workload through daily allocation/delegation of confirmed and upcoming events to team members and ensure workloads are balanced and even between the team.
- Managing and planning working hours/annual leave to fit in around business needs.
- Planning working days/hours to achieve economies of scale when multiple events are taking place.
- Ensure days off are covered to provide clients with a consistent level of service and event delivery.
- To be the event lead for all large scale “super events” as they arise taking the booking from conception to completion.
Liaising with Head of Sales and Marketing as required. Liaise with authorities (Police, Fire and Council) in the planning of large events as required. - Jointly responsible with the General Manager for the management of the Events Budget which includes items such as:
- Furniture
- Staffing (fixed and variable)
- Linen hire
- Ancillary items required for event purposes (e.g., pads/pens/glasses/paper/in room features
- Venue transformation and include such items in the budget
- Offer guidance and assistance to the Events team and take a holistic overview of the documented event delivery process covering key areas such as:
- Client contact
- Event logistics
- Venue set up
- Health & safety
- Events administration
- Security
- Catering
- Reception
- AV and production
- Clients follow up
- Church requirements and managing their expectations
- Internal and external complaint handling
- Oversee internal communication meetings:
- Daily function sheet meeting
- Weekly meeting to look at upcoming events
- Finance – ensure events are correctly invoiced and payments received in advance.
- Accuracy and usage of VMS (iVvy)
- Work closely with the Sales Team to ensure cohesion between the two departments through increased understanding of:
- Horizon scanning for upcoming event business – particularly large or high-profile events that require logistical and operational input prior to contracting. Ensuring an event manager is available to assist with sales site visits as required.
- Last minute/short lead/weekend event enquiries
- Work scheduling
- Overseeing successful client transition from sales to events
- Account management of larger scale repeat clients
- Working with Head of Sales and Marketing to ensure information within the event booking system iVvy is correct and up to date throughout the event process.
- Advise and support the Sales Team in presentations and proposals for concerts, super events and media broadcasts.
Other duties:
- Champion a positive and welcoming environment for all visitors to the CHV buildings regularly reviewing procedures and training for employees.
- Work closely with service partners to ensure they support successful event delivery to the standards we require and ensure compliance of their event support KPI’s. Also attend the KPI meetings as required.
- Identify and share feedback and new trends within the industry which can be adopted by CHV.
- Provide support and guidance for all Central Hall Venues with regards to event management and event strategy.
- Attend potential new sites where appropriate to assess and determine potential event capacity and suitability of events and list requirements to bring the venues up to an acceptable standard.
- Key member within the company project teams as required, offering guidance and support to team members.
- General head of department and HR duties; offering support, guidance and assistance to direct reports ensuring wellbeing is maintained.
Health & Safety
Co-operate with the company to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and the health and safety policies and procedures, not intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare, in pursuance of the relevant statutory provisions.
General Responsibilities
- Always comply with current legislation and respect the confidentiality of information in-line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.
- Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes.
- Attendance at company meetings and training courses as required.
Company Project Team
- Be an active member of a designated company project team making a full and active contribution.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be asked to carry out other duties through discussion with line manager as required by the business.
Area of Duty and Responsibility
Leadership
- To model CHV values towards staff, clients and service partners.
- To ensure that the team is working in a positive way and feels engaged with Central Hall Venues and their values and culture.
- Contribute to the expansion of the CHV group of venues through visits and evaluation of potential sites, working as part of an onboarding team to develop commercial activity.
- To attend and contribute to annual strategy setting meetings.
Management
- Attendance as required at heads of department meetings.
- Reporting on relevant key performance indicators.
- Draft relevant performance review and decision papers, as required, for quarterly Board Meetings and other internal purposes.
- Maintain a departmental register of key risks, updated for the Board quarterly.
Technology
- Ensuring a positive approach to the adoption of new technologies.
- Maintaining and development of existing technologies, including Microsoft Office.
- Oversee continued development of department specific software and or systems, championing their use and ensuring efficiencies and continued development of each system.
Budget Accountability
- Joint responsibility for proposing the annual budget.
- Monitor costs against budget on a monthly basis, identifying and addressing variance or potential overruns.
- Oversight of service provider and supplier costs and invoice processes.
- Drafting of formal proposals for new technologies and resources, such as CAPEX proposals, new headcounts, etc.
Human Resources
- Manage, develop and empower the team.
- Recruitment of team members to ensure adequate resource to deliver projected activity, within agreed headcount and budgets.
- To work with team to agree clear, relevant, and actionable targets.
- To provide ongoing performance management support.
- To provide mentoring and coaching to support team to deliver on or above expectations.
- To identify training and development needs and to work with team to achieve potential.
- Plan and co-ordinate the team’s work schedules to ensure effective delivery of team objectives and responsibilities; and ensure an appropriate work/life balance for team members.
Skills & Capabilities
Essential
- Previous experience in the hospitality, conference, or hotel industry
- Demonstrable senior management experience
- Successful track record in event management
- Experience of managing and developing a team
- Experience and knowledge of working in a partnership with 3ʳᵈ party contractors and
suppliers - Managing health & safety
- Excellent background in customer services
- Strong sales skills with demonstrable evidence of exceeding targets
- Experience of budget control
Desirable
- Experience of delivering large (up to 2000 people) events within a listed building or an unusual venue
- Degree or equivalent in Event Management or HospitalityManagement
- Personal Licence holder
- IOSH Qualification or similar
- Catering knowledge
- AV & production knowledge
- Venue management system experience and knowledge
- First Aid qualification
Purpose & Values
Central Hall Westminster ask that all roles are carried out in line with our purpose and values:
- Purpose – To provide an environment where individuals have an opportunity to be inspired.
- Values – Commercial, Service-Minded, Generous, Ethical, Tolerant
You are able to apply by submitting your CV and cover letter to Recruitment@chvenues.com
Applications close Friday 3rd December 2025