Events Executive in Woking

Location: RHS Garden Wisley

Salary: Up to £32,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time, 5 out of 7 days per week

As Events Executive, you will be responsible for securing all catering sales, coordinating all aspects of the food and beverage bookings and overseeing the operational delivery of exceptional hospitality and event experiences across RHS Wisley. Working alongside the RHS Wisley Events Team, the position will require a proactive approach to converting and maximizing all catering sales opportunities. The role will involve creating innovative and bespoke catering proposals to exceed customer expectations as well as efficiently responding to and managing RHS Wisley internal and group bookings.

The role is responsible for ensuring all catering event details are collated in a timely manner, event details and supporting documents are accurate and distribution to operations team is consistent and within the agreed timelines. The planning aspect of the role involves taking the lead on co-ordination of event logistics including staffing, equipment hires and supplier liaison. The role will also involve ensuring invoices are raised, and payments received in line with company payment terms.

With a strong focus on service excellence, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction, the Events Executive will oversee the operational delivery of the catering events planned to ensure they are delivered seamlessly and to the highest standard. You will lead the catering event set up, team briefings and oversee the food and beverage service.

This position requires exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail as well as solid knowledge and experience of food & beverage service within a conference and events setting. Customer focus and service excellence is key as well as an ability to thrive under pressure whilst multi-tasking.

What can we offer you:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• The chance to work in a truly beautiful and inspiring setting, surrounded by nature and stunning gardens.
• 25 days annual leave (Excluding bank holidays and national holiday days)
• Free parking on site
• Free staff meals whilst at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks & benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On-site F&B discounts.

Responsibilities:

• Acting as the main liaison between the Events Team, external and internal clients to deliver seamless, professional event planning and execution.
• Managing all event enquiries promptly, providing tailored catering proposals and exceptional client service.
• Proactively following up enquiries and proposals to achieve conversion expectations.
• Preparing accurate and engaging event proposals, menus, and costings in line with company pricing policies and meet margin targets.
• Sending contracts, T&Cs and invoices and ensuring all relevant documentation is received.
• Taking responsibility of catering upselling strategy and achieving agreed upselling targets.
• Maintain up-to-date event menus, pricing, and collateral, ensuring all departments have the latest information.
• Coordinate and attend client tastings, site visits, and meetings, ensuring all client preferences, dietary needs, and special requests are accurately recorded and communicated.
• Manage all event logistics, including catering orders, equipment hire, staffing schedules, and supplier coordination.
• Oversee the timely collection and confirmation of event details — final menu selection, guest numbers, seating plans, and access arrangements — ensuring all are finalised at least one week prior to the event.
• Production, distribution, and communication of accurate catering event details; proactively communicating with culinary and operations team for successful delivery of event; leading weekly events meetings.
• Conduct thorough daily briefs with relevant culinary and operational team members before each event to communicate latest updates and ensuring clarity on all operational details.
• Collaborate closely with chefs, operations managers, and service teams to ensure all event elements are executed with excellence.
• Lead and co-ordinate operational team during event setup and execution to guarantee smooth delivery and client satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with external clients, the RHS Wisley Events Team, and all internal departments to ensure every detail of each event is delivered to the highest standard.
• Actively encouraging and using customer feedback to build action plans for continuous improvement.
• Responding to customer feedback or complaints, resolving issues and maintaining company’s reputation.
• Ensuring full payments are received in line with company payment terms.
• Being compliant with all aspects of profit protection.
• Supporting finance team in processing invoices and event financial summaries.
• All event costs are accurately recorded and communicated and any procurement is made via the approved suppliers and channels.
• Supporting with promotional and marketing collateral for seasonal packages.
• Identifying opportunities for C&E sales growth and working collaboratively with the team to implement.
• Always adhere to all Health & Safety and Food Hygiene regulations.
• Maintain a safe and hygienic working environment for staff and clients.
• Report any hazards, maintenance issues, or incidents promptly to the Head of Operations.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Experience in C&E event planning processes and procedures.
• Must have C&E operational experience.
• Sales focus with an ability to recognize and maximize sales opportunities.
• Able to self-manage workload and work flexibly as role is both office based and working operationally within the venue.
• Be able to establish positive working relationships and communicate effectively at all levels.
• Be able to develop partnerships with industry contacts.
• Must show initiative, commitment, drive and ambition to deliver and be a confident decision maker.
• Demonstrate a thorough approach to work and show great attention to detail.
• Have excellent customer service skills with a strong desire to strive for continuous improvement and guest satisfaction.
• Be an effective team player.
• A generally outgoing personality with an entrepreneurial personality with the drive to succeed.
• Ideal candidate has proven experience working within a partnership-led venue such as cultural attraction, heritage site or visitor destinations.

About Us:

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York. Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Programme.