Events Duty Manager

Description: Olympia Events is more than an exhibition venue, conference centre and live-event space - it’s an inspiration. Against a backdrop of grand Victorian architecture, the seven connected spaces inspire engagement and enjoyment. Olympia Events is recognised in the industry for exceptional levels of customer service and support, and our numerous awards are testament to our clients' satisfaction. Beyond the walls of our venue, Olympia is on the ground, working to invest in people, strengthen our communities, and protect the environment.

Olympia Events is undergoing a period of change. In 2017, the venue was bought by a consortium led by Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance international. Work is currently underway to transform the wider estate into a cultural hub of which Olympia Events will be the central part. Once complete, the estate will include a new theatre, music venue, two hotels, over 30 eateries, world-class office space and over two acres of public realm. More information can be found at

Job Purpose:

The Event Duty Manager is responsible for the full day-to-day operation of the Heritage Halls at Olympia. We are seeking strong candidates with significant events experience, great communication skills and a track record of managing professional relationships. Working alongside Event Management and Venue Service teams, the successful candidate will be fully accountable to ensure exhibitions in the Grand Hall, the National Hall and the West Hall run smoothly. The role will be the link from the clients to the internal and external contractors working in the Halls. You will bring together representatives from traffic, security, safety, catering cleaning and waste to deliver the Olympia experience to our event clients maintaining Olympia’s position as a world leading Events space. Outside of office hours, the Event Duty Manager will be the most senior on-site representative of Olympia Events and will therefore represent our interests with the wider estate.

Key responsibilities

· Working closely with the Event Management to ensure their clients’ events operate smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

· Act as the lead operational manager on site when the wider estate require representation.

· Manage the operational teams on site to ensure the overall event experience is delivered effectively and safely.

· Work closely with the traffic team throughout event tenancy to support vehicle logistics.

· Ensure all security staff are briefed and are delivering a secure procedure both front-of-house and back-of-house.

· Liaise with the cleaning team to ensure events are kept clean and tidy whilst ensuring waste disposal is effectively managed.

· Work with the on-site Fire & First Aid team to ensure events are delivered safely and customers and staff are protected at all times.

· Take control of any situations and incidents in the venue(s) when necessary, linking in with both Control Rooms.

· Logging and following up maintenance issues to ensure the relevant responsible teams are aware and make good the issue.

· An awareness of the financial break-down of each event and responsibility for capturing and agreeing post-event charges with Event Manager and clients.

· Comply with Venue Management Department procedures and policies

· Actively support the company’s sustainability programme, ‘The Grand Plan’

Person specification

Skills, experience and behaviours

· Event Management experience, or a degree (or equivalent) in Event Management

· Communication with all stakeholders; exhibitions organisers, Event Managers, venue team, contractors and Event Director

· Exhibition industry knowledge desirable

· An ability to thrive under pressure. With three venues to oversee there could be exhibitions and build/ breakdown occurring at the same time and the ability to move between these environments is vital.

· Understanding of and empathy with the needs of event organisers

· Health & safety awareness (NEBOSH certificate desirable)

· Administrative accuracy and attention to detail, computer literacy, good time management and organisation skills.

Sustainability Responsibilities:

• Continuously improve your knowledge of Olympia Events’ sustainability programme - the ‘Grand Plan’. Complete all training provided and promote sustainability practices to meet our Grand Plan objectives

• Follow and promote all sustainable workplace policies and procedures and seek ways to make your department more sustainable by taking an active role to initiate change

Olympia Events is fully committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups) that attend our premises. As a consequence, Olympia Events may require any successful applicant to complete a DBS Check prior to working in our business.

Olympia Events is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and excepts all its people to have a positive commitment to EDI by treating others fairly and not committing any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment and to promote positive working relationships amongst employees and stakeholders.

This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over according to the changing needs of the business.