Lead Venue and Sales Officer

Are you a proactive sales professional with a passion for events and venue management? The Royal Academy of Dance is looking for a Lead Venue and Sales Officer to join our Fundraising and Development Department. This is a pivotal role designed to drive revenue growth by strategically managing our world‑class commercial spaces, including state‑of‑the‑art dance studios, the Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre, and modern meeting rooms. You will be the face of our venue hire programme, turning enquiries into successful bookings and ensuring our facilities are utilised to their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Business development: Proactively identify new markets, lead outreach efforts, and convert sales leads into confirmed bookings.
• Account management: Act as the primary point of contact for external hirers, conducting site visits, preparing tailored proposals, and maintaining long‑term client relationships.
• Marketing & promotion: Collaborate with the Marketing team to create compelling digital content and represent the RAD at industry networking events.
• Internal coordination: Coordinate the complex programming of our studios and theatres, balancing commercial hires with internal organisational priorities.
• Operational oversight: Work alongside our Facilities and Events teams to ensure seamless event execution, including briefing casual staff and managing third‑party suppliers.
• Financial administration: Oversee venue hire budgets, process invoices, and ensure all contracts and compliance documentation (H&S, Safeguarding, GDPR) are in order.

About You

The ideal candidate will be a confident communicator with a can‑do attitude and a proven track record in sales or venue management. You should be:

• Results‑driven: Motivated by hitting revenue targets and finding creative ways to maximise space usage.
• Highly organised: Able to manage a busy inbox and a complex scheduling calendar with a high level of accuracy.
• Customer‑focused: Dedicated to providing a premium experience for every client, from the initial tour to the final event.
• Digitally proficient: Comfortable using venue management systems and social media platforms for promotion.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a prestigious global arts organisation. You will play a direct role in supporting the RAD’s mission by generating the vital income needed to sustain our charitable work.

Why work for us? We offer 25 days paid holiday (pro rata) plus bank holidays and a birthday day off, contributory pension scheme, access to the Perkbox discounts platform – including an Employee Assistance Programme, WeCare scheme, health cash plan, and life assurance. Due to the nature of the RAD’s work, the successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. We encourage and welcome applications from people with a disability, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Please let us know if you have any access needs for the interview. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and bring relevant documents if invited to attend an interview. We are unable to sponsor people under the Skilled Worker scheme. No agencies please. Interviews for this position will be held w/c 20th April 2026.