Venue Hire & Business Development Manager

Purpose of job

To unlock the commercial potential of our iconic venues, creating exceptional events and experiences that support the future of Leeds Heritage Theatres.

Leeds Heritage Theatres is looking for an experienced, commercially driven and ambitious Venue Hire & Business Development Manager to develop and grow our venue hire business across Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop our commercial venue hire offer, maximising the potential of our historic buildings and creating new opportunities for corporate events, conferences, hospitality, weddings, private celebrations and community activities.

You will lead the development of a proactive sales function, identifying new markets, building relationships with corporate and commercial clients, and converting enquiries into profitable bookings. You will develop compelling venue hire packages, establish competitive pricing and create a strong pipeline of new and repeat business.

Alongside business development, you will be the organisational lead for Artifax, our venue management system, ensuring that venue availability, bookings and scheduling are accurately managed across all three venues. You will develop effective systems and processes that improve the customer journey, maximise the use of our spaces and provide the information needed to support commercial and artistic decision-making.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Programming, Marketing, Finance, Development, Technical and House Management, you will ensure that commercial activity is effectively planned, coordinated and delivered to the highest professional standards.

At Leeds Heritage Theatres, we are proud to be an independent charity that generates the vast majority of the income needed to sustain our work. Every commercial event and venue hire helps us care for our historic buildings, support ambitious artistic programming and create opportunities for people and communities across Leeds to experience the arts.

In this role, you will play an important part in growing our commercial income, strengthening our financial sustainability and establishing our venues as leading destinations for events and hospitality in Leeds.

About you

You are an experienced and commercially minded professional with a passion for business development, exceptional customer service and creating memorable events.

You will bring:

• A proven track record of generating new business and achieving sales or income targets within venue hire, hospitality, events or related sectors.
• Experience of managing the full venue hire sales process, from initial enquiry and client engagement through to negotiation, contracting and operational handover.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to develop pricing strategies, prepare proposals, negotiate contracts and maximise revenue opportunities.
• Experience of building and maintaining relationships with corporate clients, agencies, event organisers and other commercial partners.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with experience of managing complex venue bookings, schedules and competing operational priorities.
• Experience of using venue management systems, CRM platforms or similar systems to manage bookings, monitor performance and improve administrative processes.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret sales data, monitor commercial performance and identify opportunities for business growth.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across different departments and with external clients.

You are proactive, highly organised and confident in developing new business opportunities while ensuring that every client receives a professional and welcoming experience.

You will understand how to balance commercial ambition with the operational requirements of a busy, multi-venue organisation and will be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the long-term sustainability of our historic venues.

About us

As a proud Leeds charity at the heart of the city’s cultural life, we inspire connection, nurture talent and make the arts accessible to all.

Across Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House, We present the very best in live performance, music, comedy and film, welcoming around 350,000 audience members each year. We create places where stories are shared, ideas explored and creativity thrives – supporting artists, engaging communities and keeping Leeds’ cultural heartbeat strong.

When we come together, extraordinary things happen. Join us and play your part in shaping something special.

Salary and Benefits

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Holiday entitlement: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays, increasing after five years

Benefits

• Generous average salary pension scheme
• Regular staff offers and discounts for our venues and local businesses
• Free to use Employee Assistance Programme that supports your health and wellbeing
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Flexible working

Probation Period: Four months