Job Title
Operations & Events Manager
Location
Knebworth House, Park & Gardens, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6PY
Contract Type:
Maternity Cover
Hours
40 hours per week, typically worked over five days between 9:00am and 5:30pm, Monday to Sunday, according to a rota. Typical working pattern 40 hrs per week across 5 days, generally between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Sunday.
Flexibility is required, as the role involves varying shifts, including evenings, weekends, and other unsociable hours where necessary.Prepared to work varying and sometimes unsociable hours.
Start Date
1st September 2026
Department
Operations and Events
Reporting to
Managing Director
Other Relationships
Operations & Events Manager & Deputy Operations Manager
Place of work
Knebworth House is the historic home to the Lytton Cobbold Family and sits within Knebworth Park and is the centre piece of the Knebworth Estate. Knebworth House, Park & Gardens is managed by a dedicated management team based at the Estate Office, a short distance from the House.
Open to the public from March to September, Knebworth House, Park & Gardens host a diverse programme of activities throughout the year, including public events, corporate functions, private hires, large-scale concerts, outdoor cinema, filming and photography shoots, and educational and group visits.
Summary of the role
You will be reporting to the Managing Director, working alongside the Operations & Events Manager & Deputy Operations Manager. You will play a key role in the delivery of the overall visitor and event experience at Knebworth.
You will be responsible for managing the daily visitor operations and ensuring delivery every day. This includes managing and recruiting a team of circa 70 seasonal team members, providing training, managing risk within the team and Duty Manage daily opening dates (including regular weekend and bank holiday working on a rota basis) ensuring all operational duties are carried out.
You will be a principal contact and co-ordinator of in house and external events. Including outdoor theatre, Easter trail, Medieval Jousting, Classic Car show and the Garden Show, which can reach up to 5,000 visitors per day. Alongside working with other internal teams and event production companies to host external or corporate events, filming or photography or group bookings.
The ideal candidate will have excellent organisation, interpersonal and communication skills will be able to effectively communicate with all colleagues, visitors, and residents.
Main Responsibilities
The Operations & Events Manager works across the following areas:
· Support day-to-day management of the daily visitor experience, ensuring visitors receive a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience. Act as Duty Manager during public opening and event days as required, responding to issues as they arise and supervision of team members. Assisting with continuous improvements to the visitor experience and presentation across the estate.
· Venue management of a diverse portfolio of events from initial enquiry through to planning, delivery and post-event evaluation. Liaising with event organisers, promoters, and the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), ensuring adherence to all licence conditions and protection of the estate.
· Working closely with the Managing Director and Operations and Events team to diversify the event offering at Knebworth House, Gardens and Park.
· Prepare event documentation, schedules, operational plans and management and review of supplier and event contracts.
· Ensure compliance to health & safety directives, and all legislation relating to public access and events, updating company policies and procedures as required. Prepare, review and maintain risk assessments, method statements and event management plans.
· Assist with the development and review of company policies, procedures, risk assessments and safe systems of works and emergency response plans for visitor and event operations.
· Recruitment, induction and management of seasonal team members (circa 70). Create and manage seasonal staffing rota’s, deliver training and support to team members, and foster a positive working environment for all. Departments and team member roles include Ticket Office, Adventure Playground, Shop, Garden Steward and Guides and Room Stewards.
· Coordinate filming and TV enquiries from initial contact through to booking and delivery. Liaising with Location Managers and internal stakeholders to manage filming activities within Knebworth House, Gardens and Park. As a Duty Manager on the day for filming activities as required.
· Work closely with the Marketing Manager to support the promotion of events and visitor attractions. Providing input for marketing activities.
· Work with the catering ops and sales teams to support the planning and execution of large scale and corporate events. Attend weekly meetings to coordinate event requirements and operational updates. Provide operational support to ensure smooth delivery of events.
· Delegate tasks effectively to the Deputy Operations Manager and support them in their role. Fostering a one team approach within the Events and Operation team.
· To be an appointed First Aider for the site.
· Supporting retail operations as required to maximise commercial income. Including ordering stock, hosting stock take and producing high quality displays in the shop.
· Undertake other such duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.
Essential
· A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a management role.
· Proven experience working within a visitor attraction or events environment.
· Experience coordinating and delivering events from planning through to event delivery, Strong organisational and event management skills with the ability to manage multiple events and priorities at one time.
· Highly organised with an excellent attention to detail.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience liaising with multiple stakeholders.
· Understanding of licensing and health and safety requirements for public events and entertainment venues
· Full driving licence.
· Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays as required.
· Advanced IT skills.
Desirable
· Experience of working in a heritage environment.
· Experience managing in house events and visitor operations of up to 5000 visitors.
· Experience leading the visitor operation at a multi-use site operation with large teams of people.
· Experience liaising with local authorities and Safety Advisory Groups (SAG).
· Knowledge of ticketing/EPOS systems.
· IOSH Managing Safely Qualification.
· First Aid at Work Qualification.
· Personal Licence Holder.
· Food Hygiene Qualification.
Salary
From £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
Pay: From £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
