Events Lead in London

About Karma Cans

Karma Cans is an independent, female-founded catering and events company bringing fresh, seasonal food and memorable experiences to workplaces across London.

Our events team is already a significant and fast-growing part of the business, working with some of the world’s most exciting companies, including Amazon and Nike.

From intimate office gatherings and large-scale corporate events to creative pop-ups and brand activations, we bring the same focus to everything we do: brilliant food, thoughtful service and the unmistakable Karma Cans touch.

Our Events department has doubled its revenue in the first half of the year, and we’re looking for an experienced leader to help us double it again.

The Role

We’re looking for a commercially minded Head of Events to take ownership of an already thriving department and lead it through its next stage of growth.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who knows events inside out.

You’ll be equally comfortable reviewing a P&L and challenging supplier costs as you are leading a team, developing a new venue partnership, solving an operational problem on-site or working with Sales to turn an ambitious client brief into an event we can deliver brilliantly and profitably.

Events currently account for approximately 50% of our weekly sales revenue, so this is a commercially significant role within the business.

You’ll be responsible not only for the performance and profitability of the department, but for actively growing its revenue, developing new commercial opportunities and building a strong network of venue partners.

Working cross-functionally with our Sales, Operations and Kitchen teams, you’ll own the end-to-end Events function, from strategy and commercial performance through to business development, processes, procurement, people and execution.

We need someone who can look at what we’re doing today, understand what’s working and then make it better: more efficient, more scalable and more profitable, while identifying new opportunities to grow the Events business.

• What You’ll Own
• Commercial Performance & P&L

You’ll take ownership of the commercial performance of the Events department, ensuring growth translates into healthy, sustainable profitability.

You will

• Own and manage the Events P&L, with clear visibility across revenue, COGS, staffing, equipment, procurement and event-level profitability.
• Take ownership of Events revenue targets and deliver against agreed growth goals.
• Set, monitor and deliver against event margin targets in line with wider business goals.
• Build budgets, forecasts and commercial reporting for the department.
• Analyse event performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Review pricing and costing structures to ensure events are quoted accurately and commercially.
• Transform procurement and supplier processes to improve buying power and increase margins.
• Work closely with the Sales team on larger and more complex opportunities, ensuring creative ideas remain commercially viable.
• Use data to understand which event types, products, clients and channels are driving revenue and margin, and where we should focus next.
• Business Development & Venue Partnerships

A key part of this role will be growing our Events revenue beyond our existing client base.

You’ll be expected to get out into the market, build relationships and create new routes to revenue for Karma Cans.

You will

• Build and own a pipeline of new Events business, with clear revenue targets and accountability for conversion.
• Identify, approach and develop relationships with venue partners across London, positioning Karma Cans as a preferred catering and events partner.
• Build long-term commercial partnerships with venues that generate consistent inbound event opportunities and repeat revenue.
• Pitch the Karma Cans Events offering to prospective venue partners, clients and collaborators.
• Negotiate partnership structures and commercial terms that work for both Karma Cans and our venue partners.
• Develop sales materials, packages and propositions that make it easy for venues to recommend and sell Karma Cans to their clients.
• Work alongside the Sales team to identify and convert larger event opportunities.
• Develop a strong network within the London events and hospitality industry, keeping Karma Cans front of mind for relevant opportunities.
• Track the performance of partnerships and business development activity, understanding which channels are generating the strongest revenue, margin and repeat business.
• Events Strategy & Growth

You’ll be responsible for developing the Events function beyond where it is today.

You will

• Develop and execute the Events strategy, with a clear plan for revenue growth and profitability.
• Identify opportunities for new event formats, products, partnerships and services.
• Build a strategic calendar of seasonal events, pop-ups and activations that Sales can proactively take to clients.
• Understand the corporate events market and ensure our offering remains relevant, competitive and distinctly Karma Cans.
• Work with Sales to understand client demand, identify commercial opportunities and build an events proposition that is easy to sell.
• Create the systems and processes needed for the department to scale successfully.
• Event Delivery & Operations

Ultimately, you’ll be accountable for making sure we deliver exceptional events.

You will

• Oversee events from initial brief and costing through to planning, execution and post-event review.
• Ensure events are appropriately staffed, resourced and operationally planned.
• Oversee stock, equipment, supplier relationships and event procurement.
• Build robust operational processes that reduce mistakes and improve efficiency.
• Work closely with Operations to ensure event logistics are seamless.
• Maintain exceptionally high standards across food, presentation, service and client experience.
• Step into the detail when required; this is a leadership role, but we’re looking for someone who isn’t afraid to get stuck in.
• Food & Product Development

Food sits at the heart of Karma Cans, and you’ll play an important role in shaping our Events offering.

Working closely with our Head Chef, you will

• Use event and client data to identify trends in what clients are requesting.
• Translate client feedback into commercially viable menu and product development.
• Help develop seasonal event menus, packages and concepts.
• Ensure our Events offering remains fresh, exciting, marketable and operationally achievable.
• Leadership & Team Development

We’re looking for a strong people manager who can create structure, accountability and confidence within a busy Events team.

You will

• Lead, manage and develop the Events team.
• Set clear expectations, responsibilities and performance goals.
• Coach the team across commercial thinking, event planning and client management.
• Create an environment where people take ownership and problems are solved proactively.
• Build strong working relationships across Sales, Operations and Kitchen teams.
• Ensure communication between departments is clear, constructive and effective, particularly during high-pressure periods.

About You

You’re an experienced events leader who combines operational excellence with strong commercial instincts.

You’re not only brilliant at delivering events; you know how to sell them, grow them and make them profitable.

You’ll likely have

• 5+ years’ experience in events, ideally within catering, hospitality, venues, experiential events or a similarly fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience leading, managing and developing an Events team.
• A strong track record of generating new events revenue and winning new business.
• Experience developing venue partnerships, preferred supplier relationships or other B2B event partnerships.
• Confidence pitching, selling and negotiating with prospective partners and clients.
• Strong financial acumen, including hands-on experience building and managing departmental or event P&Ls.
• Confidence working with budgets, forecasts, COGS, labour costs, pricing and gross margins.
• A track record of improving event profitability through pricing, procurement or operational efficiencies.
• Strong knowledge of event operations and the ability to manage multiple complex events simultaneously.
• Experience working with suppliers and negotiating commercial terms.
• Excellent client-facing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• The confidence to challenge existing processes and introduce better ones.
• A strategic mindset paired with a willingness to be hands-on.
• A genuine love of food, hospitality and creating memorable experiences.

Most importantly, you’re someone who understands that a great events business needs to work creatively, operationally and commercially.

You can zoom out to build the strategy, go out and win the business, zoom in to interrogate the numbers, and get stuck in with the team when it matters.

Benefits

• Salary - £40k
• Great team and amazing culture
• 4 pm finishes on Friday
• Beautiful dog-friendly office
• Free lunch everyday