Events Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Events Manager

Job title:

Contract:

Hours:

EVENTS MANAGER

Permanent, Full Time

40 hours per week over 7 days including regular weekend and
evening work, 25 days holiday per annum plus Bank Holidays,
pension and optional BUPA contributions.

Salary:

£35,987.50 per year

Reports to:

Head of Visitor Experience

Responsible for:  Casual Staff and Volunteer Events Team

Job purpose:

The Events Manager, is responsible for the planning, coordination
and delivery of a high-quality programme of events at Bath Abbey
which engage and inspire new and existing audiences. This
includes but is not limited to concerts, installations, exhibitions,
graduations, theatre performances and film screenings. They will
be responsible for the end-to end process from enquiry through to
successful delivery ensuring exceptional visitor experience,
operational excellence, robust health & safety compliance, and
alignment with Bath Abbey’s mission and values.

The Events Manager will work very closely with the Abbey’s
Facilities Manager and Operations Team.

ABOUT BATH ABBEY

Bath Abbey is a vibrant parish church at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City of
Bath. As the last great medieval church built in England, the Abbey has been a place of
worship, welcome and wonder for more than 500 years. Today, it is home to a thriving
gathered congregation from all over the city and surrounding area, supported by
dedicated staff, talented choirs, and hundreds of volunteers, while also welcoming over
350,000 visitors from around the world each year.

Guided by our values—Welcoming, Sharing, Cherishing and Flourishing—we strive to
be an inclusive, diverse and caring community where all can contribute and grow.
Recent investment through our ambitious Footprint Project has transformed the Abbey
for the future, creating new spaces, improving sustainability and enhancing our visitor
and worship experience.

The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT       Charity registration number: 1134081

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Events Manager

Joining Bath Abbey means becoming part of a place where heritage, hospitality and
hope come together—serving the city, celebrating our shared story and shaping the
Abbey’s mission for generations to come.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

Thank you for your interest in the role of Events Manager at Bath Abbey.

The Events Manager plays a central role in shaping how visitors, partners and the local
community experience the Abbey through high quality events, concerts and special
activities. This is a key role in our plans to create and deliver a high-quality programme
of events, exhibitions and installations and activities that will raise our profile, broaden
our audiences, and generate income.

We are looking for an experienced events professional with an audience first approach
and a clear understanding of how events align with the Abbey’s values. Excellent
leadership and relationship management skills are essential. You will be confident to
work on your own initiative and to lead a small team to deliver exceptional events. This
is a hands-on job involving meeting customers, working with existing internal and
external partners, developing new external relationships and directly managing events.
Excellent organisation, administration and budget management skills are essential and
a basic knowledge of project management principles would be advantageous.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Event planning and coordination

•  Plan and deliver a diverse programme of events in the Abbey including concerts,

installations, exhibitions, graduations, theatre performances and film
screenings, oversee all aspects of planning and execution.

•  Ensure events align with Bath Abbey’s mission and values.

•  Be responsible for the end-to-end process of booking and planning the event,

acting as the main point of contact for event organisers.

•  Communicate both verbally and in writing, interacting effectively with clients,

vendors, external suppliers and team members.

•  Assess logistical and operational requirements for each event.

The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT       Charity registration number: 1134081

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Events Manager

•  Collaborate and work with the Facilities Manager, coordinate operational plans
and provide staff briefings to ensure all staff members understand their roles
and responsibilities before, during and after each event.

•  Think clearly and effectively to problem solve when unexpected events occur.

•  Collaborate with the Communications Officer on marketing campaigns.

•  Work closely with the Abbeys Operations Team to plan for external suppliers,

including catering, audio visual equipment, external events staff, rehearsals and
to help prepare and take down staging and chairs before and after events.

•  Conceptualise and execute unique and memorable events. Be creative!

Operational and on-site management

Be responsible for the smooth running of events by:

•  Acting as the main point of contact for event organisers, internal and external

stakeholders.

•  Overseeing event setup, technical requirements, staffing and event front-of-

house operations.

•  Leading the event day team to deliver smooth, high-quality events.

•  Responding to operational issues quickly and safely following Abbey

procedures.

•  Ensuring excellent cross departmental communication before, during and after

events.

•  Acting as Event Duty Manager, responsible person and key holder as required.

People management

•  Recruit, train and manage the Casual Events Team in line with Abbey policies

and procedures.

Financial and administrative oversight

•  Manage event budgets, monitor expenditure and ensure financial sustainability.

•  Negotiate and manage supplier contracts and agreements.

•  Monitor the number and type of events along with the associated costs and

income to ensure maximum efficiency and that events income is in line with or
better than the annual budget.

The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT       Charity registration number: 1134081

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Events Manager

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Identify opportunities to generate additional income through the events
programme.

•  Work with the Accounts Team to ensure hire fees are paid on time.

•  Take a leading role in ensuring the Abbey’s diary is up to date and accurate.

•  Manage events and hires paperwork and bookings.

•  Support the Head of Visitor Experience in the smooth running of the Abbey’s

Public Programme Group by preparing agendas, taking minutes, maintaining the
action log and other relevant documentation. Deputise as chair as required.

Stakeholder Engagement

•  Develop and manage relationships with external suppliers, including but not

limited to Bath Box Office, caterers and stage delivery company

•  Liaise with our Facilities Manager, Operations Team and Visitor Experience

Manager to ensure events are adequately staffed.

•  Work with the Operations Team to ensure the Abbeys Audio Visual, Recording

and Livestreaming systems are functioning and adequately staffed.

Health, safety and compliance

•  Follow Abbey procedures and best practices in the preparation of Risk

Assessments to ensure the Abbey is a suitable and safe environment for events.

•  Ensure all events comply with Abbey policies procedures, health and safety

legislation and insurance requirements.

•  Assist in the maintenance, security, and safety of the Abbey`s public areas.

•  Assist in the security and safety of the Abbeys facilities.

Monitoring and evaluation

•  Respond to internal and external feedback appropriately.

•  Collate audience, staff and volunteer feedback as appropriate.

•  Feedback any issues or challenges to event organisers promptly and

professionally.

•  Generate post-event reports and evaluate event success.

•  Recommend improvements to enhance experience and operational efficiency

and / or generate additional income.

The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT       Charity registration number: 1134081

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Events Manager

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL

Sympathy with and understanding of the vision and values of Bath Abbey as a place of
worship

Experience

•  Experience of managing a wide variety of events from concept to completion

including logistics, income generation, budgeting.

•  Experience managing or supervising staff and on-site leadership of events.

Skills

•  Excellent customer service and relationship building skills.

•  Confident to work on own initiative and lead teams to deliver high quality events.

•  Excellent communicator capable of working with diverse stakeholders.

•  Strong organisational, multitasking and problem-solving skills.

•  Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands.

•  Excellent administration and budget management skills.

Knowledge

•  A working knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations at work.

Other

•  A flexible and proactive approach.

•  Drive and enthusiasm to deliver events to the highest level.

DESIRABLE

Experience

•  Experience of working in a church environment and / or heritage setting.

•  Experience of working with ticketing systems.

Knowledge

•  Technical knowledge of working with sound and lighting

•  Knowledge of basic project management principles

The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT       Charity registration number: 1134081

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Events Manager

APPLICATION

To submit an application please send a full CV and covering letter of no more than one
A4 page which explains why you are a suitable candidate. Please include the details of
two references.  References will only be taken up once an offer has been made.

Please send your CV and letter to Sue Horwood, Human Resources Advisor,
shorwood@bathabbey.org

Deadline for applications: Friday 24 April 2026, midnight

The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT       Charity registration number: 1134081

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