Engine Shed Manager

Engine Shed Manager

Location: Lincoln
Contract: Full-time, permanent — 44 hours per week, 2,288 hours annualised
Salary: Competitive and negotiable, depending on experience
Start date: As soon as possible

Ready to take ownership of a busy events venue and build your career?

We are looking for an ambitious, career-minded and hands‑on Engine Shed Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operation of the Engine Shed.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced venue, events or hospitality professional who wants to build a long‑term career, make their mark and take genuine responsibility for a busy commercial venue.

The Engine Shed is one of the commercial venues operated by the University of Lincoln Students’ Union Group. The role covers event venue management, bar operations, security teams and the complete delivery of events—from setting up and opening the venue through to running the event and packing down afterwards.

This is not a desk‑only management role. We need someone who will lead from the front, roll up their sleeves and get stuck into whatever is needed to make the venue successful.

The role

Reporting to the Senior Commercial Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the effective, safe and commercially successful operation of the Engine Shed.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, recruiting, training and developing the venue team.
• Managing event delivery, bar operations, security provision and duty‑management shifts.
• Ensuring the venue is properly staffed, set up, opened, operated and closed for every event.
• Driving sales, controlling costs, managing budgets and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Overseeing stock, cash controls, EPOS systems, rotas, payroll and operational administration.
• Maintaining excellent customer‑service, cleanliness and presentation standards.
• Ensuring compliance with licensing, food safety, fire safety, health and safety and company procedures.
• Building strong relationships with clients, suppliers, touring crews and internal teams.
• Remaining visible and operational during busy periods, including serving customers or supporting the team directly when required.

About you

We are looking for someone who is ambitious, driven and genuinely interested in developing a successful career in venue management.

You will have:

• Several years of experience within the live events, entertainment, bar, hospitality or venue‑management industry.
• Experience gained in a busy venue similar in scale or operating style to the Engine Shed.
• A proven track record of leading, motivating and developing teams.
• A strong work ethic, high personal standards and a willingness to take responsibility.
• Commercial awareness, including experience of working to financial targets, controlling costs and managing stock.
• The confidence to make quick decisions and remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• A practical, hands‑on approach—you will never be afraid to get your hands dirty and help wherever needed.
• The flexibility and resilience required to work evenings, weekends and event‑led hours.
• A Personal Licence and a good understanding of licensing legislation.

Most importantly, you will be a strong cultural fit: positive, professional, hardworking and committed to helping the whole team succeed.

What we offer

• A competitive salary, negotiable depending on your skills and experience.
• Pension and holiday allowance.
• Salary‑sacrifice schemes.
• A Christmas closure period, giving you a proper break over the festive season.
• The opportunity to take genuine ownership of an established venue.
• Scope to develop your leadership experience and build a long‑term career with a growing, dynamic organisation.
• A vibrant, inclusive and values‑led working environment.
• The chance to work for an organisation whose commercial profits are reinvested into opportunities and support for students.

The University of Lincoln Students’ Union is committed to being an equal‑opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.