OVERVIEW
Smart Group Ltd’s flagship venue Evolution London is a purpose-built, semi-permanent event venue located on an exclusive site in the heart of Battersea Park. The venue is a 5500 sqm of versatile event space that has a potential capacity of up to 4000 people (depending on configuration) and offers a blank canvas setting for organisers to utilise the space in many different formats. Evolution London accommodates a variety of events each year which include exhibitions, conferences and company parties. Events at the venue are delivered by external organisers hiring the venue as well as Smart Group Ltd’s internal team.
In addition to the event space the venue offers advanced in-house production (Encore) and in-house catering (Moving venue) options tailored to suit each client.
The venues operation team are responsible for planning and delivering 80+ clients events ranging from awards dinners, exhibitions, fairs and conferences.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Senior Account Executive will grow and manage their own accounts and event planning, coordinating, working with the Senior Account Managers with the events at Evolution London and seasonal event sites. This role requires excellent communication skills, a keen eye for detail, knowledge of catering and a passion for event planning. The Senior Account Executive will work closely with the Senior Account Managers, Moving Venue – our exclusive catering company as well as the venue team including Encore, the onsite production and personnel teams to ensure client satisfaction and maintaining excellent client retention.
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
- Work with new and existing clients / accounts on each element of the event planning and liaising with specific internal departments (catering, production, venue operations, site management)
- Work with the Senior Account Managers on the pre-event planning including but not limited to site visits, menu tastings, pre-production meetings, approval of event schedules, compiling H&S documentation, adhering to local council regulations, floor plans, on site management and delivery.
- Ensuring all event admin including function sheets, event notification forms and health and safety forms are created for all events.
- Creating proposals and reaching out to suppliers to obtain quotes.
- Due to the nature of the role, the Senior Account Executive will be required to often work unsociable hours and attend events to support the on-site management teams.
- Ensure the client experience is a success from start to finish, maintaining excellent client relations and post-event feedback.
- Organising debrief meetings with your clients with the view of retaining the event for the future.
CATERING
Moving Venue are the onsite exclusive caterer, part of The Smart Group. This dual role will require elements of catering to be actioned to enable the Moving Venue operations team to be able to deliver a successful event.
- Tastings – Arranging client tasting, as well as compiling client tasting notes and menu sheets. Booking in relevant linen, crockery and glassware upgrades with our exclusive suppliers.
- Allergens – ensuring all events have allergen tent cards printed for all menus.
- Beverage Pre Orders - keeping track of all beverage pre orders, sending updates to the catering operations team. Ensuring all beverage pre order links, are in line with the current wine list.
- Menus- liaising with the Moving Venue sales team to keep all food and beverage menus updated with the correct offerings.
- Crew Food- booking in the relevant client and personal crew food.
- Special diets- collating special diets received from clients and relaying onto the chef team.
VENUE OPERATIONS
- As part of the Evolution London and seasonal events team, you will ensure that we continue to provide a high standard of venue facilities for our clients and events.
- Be responsible for managing and updating the operations calendar and outlook calendar.
- Review and action event / client feedback to continually improve the venue experience and encourage repeat business.
- To gain good working knowledge of Evolution London and seasonal sites you will need to ensure suppliers, internal and external are complying with the venue rules at all times.
- To develop an understanding of health and safety regulations within the venue.
FINANCE
Responsible for ensuring event cost sheets are updated with accurate costs from suppliers. Ensuring invoices are passed onto the relevant team members for reconciliation and finance approval.
ATTRIBUTES
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in events, ideally with knowledge of venues and event catering. This is preferred and not essential.
- Strong organisational and multitasking skills with an ability to manage a multi event workload
- A team player who understands the bigger picture and impact of decisions
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- A proactive and positive “can do” attitude with a passion
- You enjoy responsibility and ownership of projects and processes
- Commitment to quality and timely service delivery
BENEFITS
At Smart Group, we value our staff, and as part of our commitment to creating a positive work environment, we offer the following benefits:
- Performance-related bonus
- Free parking at Evolution
- Holiday allowance starts at 25 days plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Access to Medicash health plan
- Access to fantastic restaurant and bar discounts via the CODE app
- Enhanced parental-leave pay – subject to length of service
- Travel loan
- Lunch Allowance
- Fabulous regular social events
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Fun and vibrant company culture
- Generous refer-a-friend bonus