Hires and Events Manager
Ends on Fri, Oct 2, 2026 11:00 PM (in 5 days)
Hires and Events Manager
Key information
Reports to: Hospitality Operations Manager
Pay: £30,500 per annum
Working hours: 37 hours per week with availability for evenings and weekends (essential)
Annual leave: 25 days (FTE) plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part time)
Place of Work: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA
Benefits: 30% discount at BALTIC’s shop and discounted menu at BALTIC’s Café/Bar, Discount at Local Retailers, Pension Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme
Closing date: 11.59pm on Friday 2nd October 2026
Job Purpose:
Hires and Events Managers play a key role in Baltic's commercial success by leading the venue hire and events function, managing a high-performing Front of House team and generating income that directly supports the charity's purpose. Through excellent event delivery, strong client relationships and supporting commercial activity, the role helps ensure Baltic remains both financially sustainable and culturally impactful.
The Hires and Events Managers are responsible for leading the successful front-line delivery and commercial performance of Baltic's venue hires and events programme. Working within the commercial arm of the charity, the postholder will support the generation of income that supports Baltic's charitable mission, artistic programme and public engagement activities.
Working across two teams the Hires and Events Managers are responsible managing the end-to-end operation of internal and external hires and events, from enquiry and booking through to planning, delivery and evaluation. The postholders lead a team of Front of House Assistants, ensuring exceptional customer service and operational standards across all a Baltic's Hospitality offer.
The Hires and Events Managers proactively manage client relationships, assist with converting enquiries into bookings and identify opportunities to increase commercial income. They also devise, develop and deliver self-generated events and experiences that maximise revenue, increase venue utilisation and contribute to Baltic's long-term sustainability.
Key Outputs and Accountabilities
Hires and Events Management
- Lead the planning, coordination and operational delivery of all internal and external hires and events across Baltic.
- Ensure the successful delivery of all Hires and Events, including corporate events, private hires, weddings, receptions, conferences, cultural events, fundraising activities and internal organisational events.
- Act as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders throughout the event lifecycle.
- Support the creation of detailed event plans, operational schedules and delivery briefs.
- Ensure events are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of customer experience.
- Work with internal teams and external suppliers to coordinate all operational requirements.
- Manage event budgets, resources and staffing requirements effectively.
Operational Delivery
- Set up, deliver and take down of a range of venue hires and events.
- Front line operational service of food and beverage for Hires and Events.
- Ensure all hires and events comply with health and safety, licensing and safeguarding requirements.
- Undertake risk assessments and ensure appropriate control measures are implemented.
- Monitor quality standards and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Produce reports on commercial activity, performance and client feedback.
- Ensure efficient use of venue spaces and resources to maximise commercial return.
Commercial Development and Income Generation
- Drive income generation through venue hire, events and commercial activities.
- Maximise conversion of enquiries into confirmed bookings through proactive sales activity and relationship management.
- Identify new commercial opportunities that align with Baltic's values and strategic objectives.
- Devise, develop and deliver self-generated commercial events and experiences that generate additional earned income.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities for growth.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of commercial income targets and business plans.
Leadership and People Management
- Line manage and develop Front of House Assistants, creating a high-performing and customer-focused team.
- Recruit, train, coach and support team members to achieve operational and commercial objectives.
- Manage staff rotas and deployment to ensure effective event coverage.
- Set clear expectations and monitor performance standards.
- Foster a positive, collaborative and solution-focused team culture.
- Lead by example in delivering exceptional customer service.
Client Relationships, Enquiries and Bookings
- Build strong relationships with clients, partners and suppliers, ensuring a high level of repeat business.
- Manage venue show rounds and client meetings.
- Ensure enquiries are responded to promptly and professionally.
- Undertake booking administration and sales activity during periods when not engaged in operational event delivery.
- Support with quotations, proposals, contracts and client communications
- Maintain booking systems, event records and commercial reporting processes, where required.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Significant experience of managing and delivering events, venue hires or commercial operations.
- Experience of leading and managing staff in a customer-facing environment.
- Experience of planning and delivering events from enquiry through to completion.
- Experience of generating income through venue hire, events, hospitality or related commercial activity.
- Experience of managing customer enquiries, bookings and client relationships.
- Experience of achieving sales, income or commercial targets.
- Experience of managing customer enquiries, bookings and client relationships
Essential Skills and Knowledge
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Strong commercial awareness and business development skills.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong customer service ethos and attention to detail.
- Knowledge of health and safety and licensing requirements within event environments.
- Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends
Desirable Experience, Skills and Knowledge
- Experience within the arts, culture, charity, or visitor attraction sectors.
- Experience developing and delivering self-generated revenue-generating events.
- Understanding of venue hire, hospitality and event sales.
- Competence in booking, CRM and event management systems
Must have eligibility to work in the UK.
Baltic is committed to the goal of building a diverse workforce. We are inviting people with different skills, experiences, backgrounds, gender, orientation, and neurodiversity to apply for this opportunity. We encourage applications from those who consider themselves as having a minority representation in this field.
BALTIC is working towards achieving diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. BALTIC fully accepts and welcomes the fact that society consists of many diverse groups and individuals, and that this diversity is an asset to BALTIC. As an arts centre dependant for its success on the full involvement of users and visitors and as an employer, BALTIC recognises that it has a moral and legal responsibility to promote equal opportunities. In addition, BALTIC recognises that the pursuit of equality of opportunity is essential for a productive and professional working environment. This policy states BALTIC’s commitment to being an equal opportunities employer and is an integral part of every aspect of our activities. It is based on the most recent legislation and represents BALTIC’s commitment to tackling inequality, discrimination and disadvantage. Our goal is equality of opportunity for everyone who uses, visits, works in and works for, BALTIC and we will provide services and develop employment practices accordingly. In particular, BALTIC is committed to making sure that: There is equality of opportunity in terms of access to BALTIC and its services, and that this reflects, and is appropriate to the needs of the diverse communities using and visiting BALTIC. Prospective and present employees are afforded equal and fair treatment in relation to recruitment, selection, terms and conditions of employment, training and promotion. BALTIC will work to actively combat discrimination and make sure that prospective or present employees, and those who wish to use and visit BALTIC, are not treated less favourably on the grounds of protected characteristics. BALTIC is committed to making sure that we provide equal opportunities in employment, and that we do not unfairly discriminate against any job applicant for any reason. BALTIC, therefore: Welcomes job applications from all sections of the community and will consider applicants for jobs on the basis of their relevant experience, qualifications, skills and abilities. Welcomes job applications from under‑represented groups - in particular, people with disabilities, and minority ethnic applicants. Will make sure that we do not discriminate unlawfully when we decide who to employ and that selection decisions for jobs are based solely on people’s merit and ability to do the job, to enable us to appoint the best people to work for BALTIC. Will make sure that any qualifications or conditions or requirements applied to a job are relevant and justifiable in terms of the job to be done. Aims to create a suitably skilled workforce that includes employees who may be under‑represented. Will conduct regular monitoring data collation and analysis in order to identify and address barriers to equality of opportunity.
The Contract of Employment is with BALTIC Flour Mills Visual Arts Trust, an independent charitable company, governed by a Board of Trustees. BALTIC meets its running costs through grant-in-aid from Arts Council England, Gateshead Council and from trading and sponsorship.
If at first you don’t succeed………………
BALTIC is a popular choice for applicants and competition for jobs can be strong. If you are not successful first time round, please do consider trying again. Keep an eye on our web site, local and national press for future job opportunities. Review your knowledge and experience and take advantage of any opportunities to learn new skills, which may help you in future applications.
Good luck and thank you for your interest in working at BALTIC.
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