Commercial Hospitality and Events Manager

Commercial Hospitality and Events Manager

Location: Oxfordshire
Salary: £40,000-£45,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, permanent

About the Organisation

This leading independent day and boarding school is renowned for academic excellence, outstanding facilities, and a vibrant co-curricular programme. Alongside its core educational mission, the organisation operates a growing commercial enterprise, offering high-quality hospitality, venue hire, and events services to external clients and community partners.

The school is now seeking an experienced and commercially minded Commercial Hospitality and Events Manager to lead and expand this important area of its operations.

The Role

The Commercial Hospitality and Events Manager will oversee the development, management, and delivery of a wide range of commercial activities across the school's estate. This includes hospitality services, external events, venue hire, sports facility bookings, and commercial partnerships.

You will play a key role in maximising revenue, ensuring exceptional customer experience, and promoting the school as a premier venue for events, conferences, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of all commercial events, including conferences, corporate bookings, community events, and hospitality functions.
• Manage venue hire operations, ensuring efficient scheduling, high-quality service delivery, and strong client relationships.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow commercial revenue while maintaining the organisation's values and reputation.
• Oversee hospitality services, including catering coordination, event logistics, and service standards.
• Collaborate with internal teams (catering, estates, marketing, finance, and academic departments) to ensure seamless event delivery.
• Manage budgets, financial reporting, pricing structures, and performance targets for commercial operations.
• Lead and motivate a small team of hospitality and events staff, including casual workers.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote the school's facilities through marketing initiatives, partnerships, and client outreach.
• Maintain excellent customer service standards and act as the primary point of contact for commercial clients.

About You

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in hospitality, events management, venue operations, or commercial services.
• Strong commercial awareness with a track record of delivering revenue growth.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build strong client relationships.
• Experience managing teams and coordinating cross-departmental work.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when events require.
• High standards of professionalism, customer service, and attention to detail.

Desirable

• Experience working within an educational, cultural, or heritage environment.
• Knowledge of venue management systems or booking software.
• Marketing or business development experience.

Why Join Us?

• Work within a prestigious and supportive school community.
• Opportunity to shape and grow a key commercial function.
• Access to excellent facilities and staff benefits.
• Competitive salary of £40,000-£45,000, depending on experience.

If you are Interested in this role, please contact Giles for further Information on 01865 728362

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.