Events Manager 6-Month Maternity Cover

Job Title: Events Manager (FTC 6-month maternity cover)

Location: RHS Garden Wisley

Salary: Up to £38,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time, 5 out of 7 days per week

Set within 240 acres of stunning gardens, Wisley is open all year round and offers a variety of food outlets, from a busy restaurant to welcoming cafés. You'll be joining a friendly, hardworking team with a shared goal: delivering exceptional service to every visitor.

As an Events Manager, you will manage event bookings, deliver high-quality hospitality experiences at RHS Wisley, and drive sales in the medium term. The role involves creating bespoke catering proposals, coordinating event logistics (including staffing, equipment, and suppliers), and ensuring all event details and documentation are accurate and timely.

You will oversee event delivery, including set-up, team briefings, and food and beverage service, ensuring excellent guest experiences. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and experience in events and catering are essential, along with the ability to multitask and perform under pressure.

What can we offer you:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• The chance to work in a truly beautiful and inspiring setting, surrounded by nature and stunning gardens.
• 25 days annual leave (Excluding bank holidays and national holiday days).
• Free parking on site.
• Free staff meals whilst at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks & benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions.
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On-site F&B discounts.

Responsibilities:

• Drive and maximise catering sales, converting enquiries into confirmed bookings
• Create tailored, revenue-focused catering proposals to meet client needs
• Proactively upsell services to increase spend and achieve targets
• Coordinate event logistics, including staffing, suppliers, and equipment
• Ensure all event details and documentation are accurate and timely
• Oversee event delivery, including set-up, briefings, and food & beverage service
• Deliver high-quality guest experiences with strong organisation and attention to detail

The Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience in C&E planning and operations
• Able to manage workload flexibly across office and on-site operations
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and confident decision maker
• Strong customer service focus with a drive for continuous improvement
• Team player with an outgoing, entrepreneurial mindset
• Experience in partnership-led venues (desirable)

About Us:

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York.

Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Programme.

Job Reference: com SU Venues