Job Description:

Events and Experiences Manager 

Full-time – or possibly part time depending on the candidate
Location: Hedingham Castle, Essex

Salary & Benefits

• Salary from £28,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Full-time, on-site role, 40 hours per week
• 28 days’ annual leave including bank holidays
• Due to the nature of the events, the role will require some flexibility, including working weekends, evenings and bank holidays as required, with time off provided in lieu where appropriate.
• Due to the nature of the role and the requirement to be present for events, we are ideally looking for someone based within easy travelling distance of Hedingham Castle.
• Free parking on site
• Free/discounted tickets for family/friends to selected events

About Hedingham Castle

Hedingham Castle is one of Essex’s most iconic historic venues, welcoming visitors, wedding couples and event guests throughout the year. With a growing programme of public and private events, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Events Manager to join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of our events offering.

As the business continues to evolve, we are looking to diversify and expand our events and experiences programme, creating new and exciting opportunities to engage audiences, grow revenue and showcase the Castle in new ways. We are seeking the perfect person to take ownership of this growth, bringing fresh ideas, creativity and commercial thinking to develop and deliver an ambitious events strategy.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about creating memorable experiences and enjoys working in a hands-on role where creativity, organisation and commercial awareness are equally important. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a real impact, shaping the future direction of events at one of Essex’s most unique and historic venues.

The Role

Working closely with the owners and the small core team, the Events Manager will take responsibility for the planning, development and delivery of Hedingham Castle’s diverse events programme.

The successful candidate will lead the full event lifecycle, from developing new concepts and managing budgets through to supplier coordination, event delivery and post-event evaluation. They will be responsible for ensuring every event reflects the Castle’s unique setting and delivers an exceptional experience for guests.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a varied environment, can manage multiple projects simultaneously and enjoys combining strategic thinking with practical delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Event strategy & development

• Develop and deliver an engaging annual programme of public, private and bespoke events that supports business objectives and increases revenue.
• Identify new event opportunities, audience trends and opportunities for growth to increase engagement and attract new visitors.
• Work closely with the Marketing Manager to ensure events are effectively positioned, promoted and delivered with a clear audience strategy, maximising awareness, engagement, ticket sales and revenue opportunities.
• Lead the planning and delivery of events including seasonal events, festivals, exhibitions, corporate/private hire events, weddings and special experiences.
• Manage event budgets, ensuring events are commercially viable and delivered within agreed financial parameters.
• Review event performance, customer feedback and financial results to make recommendations and improve future events.

Event planning & delivery

Take ownership of the complete event lifecycle, from initial concept through to delivery and evaluation.

Create detailed event plans, timelines, schedules and operational documentation.

Coordinate all event logistics including suppliers, contractors, entertainment, catering, production, staffing and equipment requirements.

Prepare and maintain comprehensive event risk assessments, ensuring appropriate health and safety measures, contingency plans and operational procedures are in place for every event.

Manage event set-up, delivery and breakdown, ensuring a high-quality guest experience at every stage.

Act as the main point of contact for suppliers, partners and internal teams.

Ensure all events are delivered safely, professionally and in line with the Castle’s brand values.

Supplier & stakeholder management

Source, brief and manage external suppliers and contractors.

Negotiate costs and maintain strong working relationships with trusted partners.

Work closely with the Marketing Manager to provide event information, content opportunities and key messaging to support effective and timely marketing campaigns.

Collaborate with the Marketing Manager to evaluate campaign performance, audience feedback and event results to inform future planning.

Work closely with the weddings, visitor experience and operations teams to ensure smooth delivery across the business.

Team leadership & operations

Coordinate event staff, volunteers and external teams as required.

Provide clear event briefings and ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

Support the ongoing improvement of event processes, systems and customer experience.

Help develop a positive, collaborative working environment across the wider Castle team.

About You

We are looking for someone who is creative, organised and commercially minded, with the ability to bring ideas to life while managing the practical details required for successful events.

You will have a passion for creating exceptional experiences and the confidence to take ownership of projects from concept to completion.

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven experience managing events from concept through to delivery.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience managing suppliers, contractors and event logistics.
• Experience creating event plans, operational documents and risk assessments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and revenue-driven events.
• A proactive, creative approach with the ability to develop and deliver new ideas.

Desirable experience:

• Working within heritage, hospitality, weddings, tourism or visitor attractions.
• Experience working with small teams where flexibility and initiative are essential.
• Experience delivering events in historic or unusual venues.
• Experience analysing event performance and using insights to improve future activity.
• Experience with AI systems