At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning and delivery of exciting events while building strong client relationships.
- Company: Join Open Kitchen, an ethical catering company making a positive community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20 days holiday, free meals, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Flexible hours with occasional evening and weekend work; full UK driving licence required.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in food sustainability while enjoying varied and rewarding work.
- Qualifications: Experience in events or hospitality, strong communication skills, and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 € per year.
Full Time | circa £30,000 per year (depending on experience)
Application Deadline: 29th May 2026
Start Date: ASAP / June-July 2026
We will be interviewing on a rolling basis and may close this vacancy earlier if we find the right person for the role.
Are you a people person with a passion for creating memorable events and making a positive impact? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
Open Kitchen is an ethical and sustainable catering company based in Greater Manchester. We intercept perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste, work with independent and ethical suppliers, and put all profits back into the local community.
The Role
We're looking for an enthusiastic, organised and confident Events and Bookings Manager to lead the planning, coordination and delivery of our events and client bookings. This is a customer-facing role, ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, communicating with a wide range of people, and representing a purpose-driven business. You’ll be speaking with key business contacts, supporting clients throughout the booking journey, and confidently speaking in front of larger groups at events to share our story and values around food sustainability. This role typically involves 8‑hour days, Monday to Friday, with flexibility required depending on events and business needs including occasional evening and weekend work.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage incoming event enquiries and bookings from first contact through to completion
- Build strong relationships with corporate clients, community organisations and partners
- Coordinate event logistics with internal catering and operations teams
- Prepare quotes, proposals and booking schedules
- Attend and oversee events to ensure excellent client experience
- Represent Open Kitchen professionally at meetings, networking events and functions
- Speak confidently to audiences and guests about our sustainability mission and impact
- Maintain accurate booking systems, calendars and client records
- Identify opportunities to grow bookings and strengthen customer relationships
About You
We’d love to hear from candidates who are:
- Experienced in events, hospitality, bookings or account management
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- A confident communicator, both one-to-one and in front of groups
- Warm, professional and relationship-focused
- Passionate about sustainability, ethical business and social impact
- Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities
- Flexible – the role includes occasional evening and weekend work
- Comfortable using booking systems, email and standard office software
- Proactive with a hands‑on attitude
And you'll need to have a full UK driving licence.
What We Offer
- 20 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
- Company pension scheme
- Free tea, coffee and lunch on-site
- Opportunity to work for a values‑led, ethical business
- Supportive and collaborative team culture
- A chance to make a real difference through food sustainability and social impact
- Varied, rewarding work where every day is different
- Team building away days
- Real Living Wage employer
Application Process
You will be asked for some basic details and a copy of your CV. Please note: you will need to be signed into a Google account to submit the application form. To help us get to know you, all applicants are also required to upload or link a short video answering these five questions:
- Why would you like to work for Open Kitchen?
- What excites you most about events and customer-facing work?
- Tell us about a time you delivered excellent customer service.
- How would you confidently speak to a room full of guests?
- What strengths would you bring to this role?
Get in touch
For an informal chat about the role, please reach out to our CEO, David Amesbury, via email: david@openkitchenmcr.co.uk
Events and Bookings Manager in Manchester employer: Open Kitchen
Open Kitchen is an exceptional employer located in Greater Manchester, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that prioritises sustainability and social impact. As an Events and Bookings Manager, you'll enjoy a collaborative team environment, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the community while working flexible hours. With benefits like free meals, a company pension scheme, and a commitment to the Real Living Wage, Open Kitchen stands out as a values-driven workplace where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Events and Bookings Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Open Kitchen's mission and values, especially their focus on sustainability. This will help you connect with them during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Since this role involves speaking confidently in front of groups, rehearse how you'd introduce yourself and share your passion for events and customer service. A little practice goes a long way in making a great impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Attend local events or workshops related to hospitality and sustainability. This not only helps you meet potential contacts but also shows your commitment to the industry. Plus, who knows? You might bump into someone from Open Kitchen!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. And while you’re at it, make sure your video answers are engaging and reflect your personality – we want to see the real you!
We think you need these skills to ace Events and Bookings Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for events and sustainability.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in events and customer service. Use specific examples that relate to the role of Events and Bookings Manager to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Nail the Video Questions:Take your time with the video questions! Prepare your answers in advance and practice speaking confidently. This is your chance to showcase your communication skills and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Open Kitchen.
How to prepare for a job interview at Open Kitchen
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Open Kitchen's mission and values. Understand their approach to sustainability and how they make a positive impact in the community. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an Events and Bookings Manager, you'll be interacting with various clients and stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships in previous roles. Think about times when you went above and beyond for a client or resolved a tricky situation.
✨Practice Your Presentation
Since you'll need to speak confidently in front of groups, practice delivering a short presentation about Open Kitchen’s sustainability mission. This will help you feel more comfortable speaking in public and demonstrate your communication skills during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Flexibility
The role requires occasional evening and weekend work, so be prepared to discuss your availability. Show that you're adaptable and willing to go the extra mile to ensure events run smoothly, which is crucial for this position.
