EVENTS MANAGER JUNE 2021 - Hall Events Knowsley Hall

RECRUITMENT
   PACK

EVENTS MANAGER

  DEPARTMENT:
     Hall Events

   LOCATION:
    Knowsley Hall

   JUNE 2021

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in this role and working at The Knowsley Estate, we hope
that this recruitment pack provides you with the information that you need to
pursue your application. Please ensure that you read all parts of this document in
order to complete your application as requested and tailored to the role and person
specification.

This pack contains the following:

   •   About the Knowsley Estate
   •   Benefits of Working at Knowsley
   •   The Role
   •   The Person
   •   How to Apply

ABOUT THE KNOWSLEY ESTATE
Owned by The Earl and Countess of Derby, The Knowsley Estate is comprised of two operating
entities. Firstly, Stanley Enterprise, the leisure arm of the business, focussing on outstanding
quality of customer service and guest experience and home to two great Merseyside icons –
Knowsley Hall and Knowsley Safari. Secondly, The Stanley Estate and Stud Company which
operates the landed side of the business including farmland, residential properties and Stanley
Grange Business Village. Further afield in Newmarket near Cambridge, is Stanley House Stud
and which is home to the family’s ‘Mare in a Million’ – Ouija Board.

The walled Estate covers over 2500 acres and has been in the ownership of the Stanley Family
since 1385 and from that time the history of the family has been closely intertwined with the
history of the country. If you delve into the family’s history, you’ll discover that Lord Stanley
was created the 1st Earl on the battlefield of Bosworth by Henry VII, the 14th Earl was Prime
Minister three times, the 15th Earl was Foreign Secretary and the 17th Earl was Minister of War
during the First World War and involved in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles.

The beautiful park was landscaped with the advice of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1770’s.
The park was extended in the nineteenth century and is enclosed by a stone wall 9 ½ miles
long. At times in its long history, the park has contained a racecourse and (reputedly) a gold-
mine.

At The Knowsley Estate, we know that ultimately, it is our staff’s commitment and hard work
that will drive us forward. It is our vision to value and invest in our people to inspire them to
channel their pride and passion in their work towards our goals. We are committed to the
personal development of our staff where aspirations can be met and opportunities are
available.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT
                KNOWSLEY
▪   33 days’ annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing with service.
▪   Access to a generous pension scheme.
▪   Complimentary tickets to Knowsley Safari.
▪   Free entry to affiliated zoo’s and collections through BIAZA.
▪   Discounts on a range of products and services offered by the Estate.
▪   Estate Summer BBQ and Christmas Tea Party staff events.
▪   Health Cash Plan to cover costs such dental and optical amongst others.
▪   Employee Assistance Programme, counselling and support helpline to discuss any
    worries anonymously.
▪   PERKS online discount scheme
▪   Thrive wellbeing app, full of tips and techniques to help you monitor and improve
    your health.
▪   Commitment to your personal development
▪   Cycle to Work scheme
▪   Celebration of Service awards
▪   Free car parking

THE ROLE
    J O B   T IT L E                         Events Manager

    C O NT R A C T      T Y P E              Permanent
                                             Your normal working hours are to be worked 5
                                             out of 7 days, averaging 40 hours per week as
                                             well as any other hours that are reasonably
                                             required for the fulfilment of your duties.
    W O R K I NG       HO UR S               There will be weeks when you work greater
                                             than 40 hours which will be taken back on the
                                             quieter weeks where you will be able to work
                                             less. You will be expected to work bank
                                             holidays, evenings, and weekends.
    R E P O R T   T O                        Hall Operations Manager

    S AL AR Y                                Competitive

The following job description has been designed to give a clear definition of the role but it is
hoped that the employee will seek to develop the role to the best of his/her ability and that
the role can and will be developed to make full use of his/her potential.

Purpose of the Role

•    You will take overall accountability for the delivery of an event when you are the Event
     Manager. Providing events at the high quality expected from Knowsley Hall and the brand,
     safeguarding the Derby Collection, the building, and those attending events.
•    To provide our guests with exceptional levels of service throughout their event journey.
•    You will demonstrate a guest focussed attitude and a flexible approach towards your
     responsibilities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Event Sales Support
• Support with event enquiries by telephone or email.
• Support with the show-rounds of potential clients ensuring best practice is followed.

•   Support with event shows and open days, both internal and external.

Pre-Event
• Provide menu tasting for clients during the final details meeting.
• Ensure you take detailed notes during the final details meeting which will be
    communicated to the events office, and wider events team.
• Ensure that all event requirements are fully understood and communicated to all those
    involved and affected by events by taking part in weekly operations meetings where
    necessary.

Administration
• Complete your own administrative workload for example with regards to event tastings,
   event plans.
• Support others within the team with administrative duties as and when required.
• Ensure the event management IT system is used as effectively as possible from enquiry to
   final invoice.

Event Operations
• Ensure all events are managed to budgeted targets including staff wages and function
   services.
• Provide a detailed and clear briefing before an event so that all involved understand the
   running order and requirements of the events.
• Be the primary contact for the person organising the event, or the nominated person,
   ensuring that the event is delivered in line with their expectations.
• By good leadership, ensure the smooth delivery of all events in accordance with the
   Events Procedures, the Derby Collection Guidelines, and Events operational procedures.
• Lead and motivate the Events Supervisors and Assistants. Be mindful of the Kitchen and
   Housekeeping teams during an event and provide support to them where necessary.
• Solve problems and / or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements if necessary.
• Maintain service standards for all positions to ensure that the team are delivering
   excellence.
• Oversee event contractors.
• Ensure that cash and stock is kept safe at all times.
• Undertake the role of the Responsible Person when you are Event Manager.
• To carry out legal responsibilities regarding licencing and duties as Personal Licence
   holder.
• Take responsibility for the health and safety of Hall and Events staff when leading an
   event.

Safeguarding of the Hall and Collection
• Safeguard the Hall, Derby collection, and other contents of the building during events,
    ensuring that all staff adhere to the Derby Collection Guidelines.
• Carry out post-event building inspections and monitor and report on any damage from
    events.
• Perform routine building inspections to check and correct any minor maintenance issues
    (such as replacement of light bulbs) and report any other maintenance issues to the
    correct department.
• You and your team are responsible for monitoring and reporting minor maintenance
    issues within the Hall to the Property Services Department.
• To monitor and report damaged works of art from the Derby Collection to the Curator and
    Lady Derby.
• To monitor and report any missing items from public areas such as picture frames etc. to
    the Events department, Curator, and Lady Derby.
• To assist with overseeing filming works within the Hall to ensure the integrity of the
    Collection with support from the Curator.

Leadership
• Lead by example in your role, setting and maintaining excellent standards of service.
• Ensure that the team maintain a guest focussed attitude at all times.
• Assist with training of events staff to ensure that they can deliver exceptional standards
   of service.
• Ensure the correct personal presentation of front of house staff.

Post Event
• Produce post-event evaluation to inform future events.

Financial Management
• Provide support to the Hall Operations Manager with the day-to-day control and
    responsibility for annual budgets and event profitability.
• Support the Hall Operations manager with the writing of the annual budgets.
• Ensure all events are managed to budgeted targets including food, beverage, casual
    wages, and function services.
• Ensure all cash and stock is kept safe at all times.

Strategy
• Support the Hall’s strategic goals with developing new and existing markets / customers
    / events where they can be turned into profitable bookings.
• Share any ideas you have for new, innovate, engaging events or opportunities.
• Where necessary, produce detailed proposals for any new ideas.

Communication
• To ensure effective communication between all of those within Knowsley Hall events, and
   within the wider Knowsley Hall, and Knowsley Estate team.
• To establish, maintain, and develop good client relationships with both new and existing
   clients.
• Share any ideas you have with the Events team for improvements into the services we
   offer, with prospective services, or general areas for improvement.
• Handle any guest problems and complaints.

Additional
• Events Managers will either be responsible for:
     o the GP on liquor and all that encompasses from stocktaking, and stock rotation, to
         ordering, pricing and monitoring of equipment; or
     o staff rotas, including communicating to the Events Supervisors and Assistants,
         ensuring an appropriate staffing of events, and our ongoing positive relationship
         with the team and with the recruitment agency we use.
• To be a First Aider and carry out the responsibilities when required.
• Assist with the production of risk assessments relating to your role.
• Be flexible in your approach to working hours to allow full involvement with the clients
   and with Events.
• In all contact with people on the Estate and with whom the Estate deals, maintain the
   highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and transparency which Lord and Lady Derby
   expect and for which they are known.
• Perform any duty deemed necessary for the fulfilment of your role.

THE PERSON
Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and qualities:
   • Previous experience of at least 5 years working within and leading an events team
       that delivers events, including but not limited to: weddings and corporate is essential.
   • Proven excellent standards of customer service.
   • Excellent communication skills.
   • Confident and professional when dealing with clients, guests, and events suppliers.
   • Well presented.
   • Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
   • Able to work under pressure, especially during peak seasons.
   • Good working knowledge of Microsoft packages, particularly Word, Outlook, and
       Excel.
   • Excellent attitude towards teamwork, a real team player.
   • Strong attention to detail.
   • Fully flexible – days, evenings, and weekends.
   • Already having your Personal Licence is desirable.
   • Due to our location, your own method of transport would be advantageous.

HOW           TO      APPLY
Please send your CV to recruitment@knowsley.com

At The Knowsley Estate, we support sustainable practices, to support us in this, we ask that
all applications are completed electronically and sent in by email. However, where email is
unavailable, please post to:

Human Resources, Knowsley Safari, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 4AN.

  AP P L IC AT IO N
                                             Sunday 11 July 2021
  C L O S I NG D AT E

  I NT E R VIE W        D AT E               From Monday 19 July 2021