The Role
Can you lead and motivate staff to deliver an excellent service and achieve goals? Do you have significant senior commercial, management and leadership experience gained in a conference / events role? Would you like to lead a team to deliver even higher standards of operational and commercial efficiency?
The University of Leeds Conferences and Events service operates an array of venues and facilities that attract a diverse range of events, including meetings, conferences (including residential), exhibitions, award ceremonies, receptions, and dinners. Additionally, the team coordinates catering, residential, print, and AV services as well as providing comprehensive conference management services. In recent years, the Conferences & Events operation has experienced substantial growth, driven by a new strategic approach, increased resources, and investments in facilities. Notably, the introduction of Cloth Hall Court, a new city centre conference centre. Conference & event sales in 2023/24 will be circa £3million representing 45% year on year growth with more expected in future years to as much as £4.5million. As the Head of Conferences and Events, you will lead the University's Conferences and Events service, overseeing its team, strategic development, and operational management. This pivotal role requires ensuring the continued delivery, review and refresh of the 2022-2027 Conferences and Events Strategic Plan and providing exceptional conference experiences for internal and external delegates. Your work will align with the Facilities Directorate’s "Our Way Ahead" Business Plan and the University's overarching strategy. Your responsibilities include leading the team in developing and executing outstanding event experiences and maximising income generation through sales & marketing efforts and operational excellence. This role is central to maintaining the University's position as a premier destination for conferences and events. A successful candidate will have significant conference/ event management experience in a similar environment. They will have strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary to build effective working relationships and proven experience of leading / managing a team of managers and staff. Demonstrating a genuine commitment towards continual service improvement, they will possess strong organisational, analytical and problem solving skills and have the ability to work pro- actively, using a high level of initiative. Salary: Grade 9 (£57,969 - £66,857) Location: University campus - please note that this role requires being based on site
compliance with all legislation, standards and regulations relevant to providing Conferences and Events services; • Ensuring that University governance, regulations, requirements and guidance are adhered to at all times; • Ensuring effective engagement with the University’s Sustainability strategy, promoting ethical and sustainable products and services; • Working with colleagues to ensure that quality standards and customer service standards are maintained; • Representing the Conferences and Events Service in University-wide meetings and on committees; • Giving presentations and representing the
team), including recruitment, leave and sickness monitoring, training and development and performance management initiatives/ required actions; • Organising and prioritising your own work and the work of others to ensure that key deadlines and objectives are met; • Leading the team to plan and deliver key bookings and events; • Staying informed about developments in the conference and event sector to take initiatives to better manage both risk and opportunity; • Being responsible for complex forward planning, including; the co-ordination and timely delivery of tenders, business plans, menus, products, and all equipment for events; • Leading initiatives to better maintain, develop and innovate existing and new technology and software systems/ solutions, e.g.’s Kinetix, Aventri and virtual conference systems; • Leading your team to collect and utilise customer feedback to achieve continuous product and service improvements; • Increase the profile of the University’s Conferences and Events offer within the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions arena. Seek out opportunities to sit on Focus Groups and leadership Groups associated with the academic venues and conferencing (e.g., AVS, LHVA, MIA, etc.); • Budget setting and the management of performance against budget; • Monitoring and reporting financial and non- financial performance me • Working with leadership team members in the University’s Catering and Hospitality • Service and the University’s Residential Service to increase income from conferences & events; • Leading the team you manage to maintain
Main duties and responsibilities As Head of Conferences and Events, your main duties will include: • Leading the review, development and implementation of a service strategy, policies, procedures and standards aligned with the University’s strategy to deliver service excellence; • Leading, managing and developing your team to ensure that they are motivated and committed to delivering a high standard of service and making sure that they understand how their performance and contribution as team members will deliver results in line with strategy; • Developing and maintaining strategy aligned objectives and an operational business/action plan for the Conferences and Event Service. • Working and networking with customers and other stakeholders (heads of other services, deans, heads of schools, suppliers and professional associates) to better plan the development and improvement of products & service; • Planning and leading complex projects to deliver product and service improvements, reporting on project initiatives, progress, and implementation to senior management; • Leading, supporting, and working to actively promote innovation. • Leading the development and implementation of a detailed marketing and sales strategy for conference and events products and services. • Leading Initiatives to promote and improve the experience of equality and inclusion for staff and customers/service users; • Leading and managing all HR matters in the Conferences and Events Service (you will be supported by members of the University’s HR
University outwardly in consultations and meetings with external organisations as might be required;
These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post. Hours of Work The hours worked will be flexible and as required to meet the business’s demands. For example, 5 days over 7 (normally Monday to Friday; however, weekends will occasionally be needed in line with business needs). In addition (given advance notice): • You may be required to be on call overnight and at weekends. In this role, you might be required to attend work to resolve/manage issues that can only be effectively dealt with by a senior manager; • If your line manager requires it, you may be required to work on University closed days and/or public holidays.
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