Event Duty Manager in Bristol

Contract type: Part‑time / Flexible / Event‑Based

Location: Lakota, Bristol

Rate: £15.50 – £22.00 per hour, depending on experience and event complexity

Reporting to: General Manager

Deadline: 10th July 26

Working pattern: Late nights, weekends and event‑based shifts

Role Summary

Lakota is looking for calm, reliable and confident Event Duty Managers to join our event management pool. This is a hands‑on role at the centre of live event delivery. Event Duty Managers act as the main venue point of contact during assigned shifts, helping coordinate security, bar, technical teams, promoters, artists, cleaning and senior management.

You’ll help oversee the safe and smooth running of events from pre‑opening through to final close. This includes supporting venue readiness, managing communication between teams, monitoring live event delivery, escalating issues where needed and completing a clear post‑event report after each shift.

This role would suit someone with experience in nightlife, events, hospitality, venue operations, bar supervision, security supervision, festival operations or live event delivery. You do not need to be a technical specialist or licensed security professional, but you should be confident working around live event teams and comfortable learning the operational basics of venue safety, licensing, sound, lighting, radios and incident escalation.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the main venue point of contact during assigned events
• Support pre‑opening venue checks and event readiness
• Coordinate communication between security, bar, technical teams, promoters, artists, cleaning and management
• Monitor crowd flow, queues, room capacities and general venue operation
• Help resolve live operational issues and elevate where required
• Support safe and compliant event delivery in line with venue procedures
• Work with security and management on incidents, ejections, medical issues and welfare concerns
• Liaise with technical teams and elevate sound, lighting, radio or setup issues where needed
• Complete a post‑event report covering key issues, incidents and follow‑up actions
• Flag recurring issues or improvement opportunities to senior management

We’re looking for people who are:

• Calm and confident under pressure
• Reliable, punctual and professional
• Comfortable working late nights, weekends and event‑based shifts
• Confident working with different teams and personalities
• Willing to raise concerns rather than ignore them
• Able to complete clear written reports
• Interested in music, culture and Bristol nightlife
• Experienced in nightlife, events, hospitality, venue operations, security, bar supervision or a similar live event environment

It would be an advantage if you have:

• Previous Duty Manager, supervisor, event operations, security supervisor, festival, welfare or venue management experience
• Understanding of licensing, crowd management, incident reporting or venue safety
• Basic understanding of nightclub or event technical operations, including sound checks, DJ equipment, lighting, radios and room setup
• Confidence communicating with sound engineers, lighting operators, artists and promoters regarding basic technical requirements
• Ability to identify when a technical issue needs escalating, even if not expected to fix it directly
• First aid, welfare, security or compliance training
• Experience working with promoters, artists, contractors or external suppliers

Training and Development

All Event Duty Managers will complete a structured training and sign‑off process before independently managing events. Depending on experience, this may include:

• Structured interview
• Scenario‑based assessment
• Shadow shifts
• Supported Duty Manager shifts
• Final sign‑off before independent shifts

Training will cover venue opening and closing procedures, live event coordination, incident escalation, basic technical awareness, reporting, licensing‑sensitive areas and communication between departments. Lakota may provide fully funded SIA training for selected candidates as part of the Event Duty Manager development pathway, where this supports the needs of the role and the wider venue operation.

Pay

Event Duty Manager shifts are paid between £15.50 and £22.00 per hour, depending on experience level and event complexity. Rates are confirmed when shifts are assigned. More experienced Event Duty Managers are paid at a higher level, with additional uplift for larger, later or more complex events.

Benefits

• Flexible event‑based work
• Clear progression route from Trainee Duty Manager to Duty Manager and Senior Duty Manager
• Potential access to fully funded SIA training for selected candidates
• Guestlist access at selected Lakota events where available
• Behind‑the‑scenes experience within Bristol nightlife and events
• Opportunity to work across Lakota, Moon Club, Coroner’s Court, the Gardens and wider projects
• Potential for further work across Lakota events and productions

Lakota is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.