Working in venue management involves planning or coordinating a public or private space to optimise it’s performance. Venue managers can work in a variety of settings such as restaurants or bars, museums or galleries and hotels or pop-up events. Tasks of venue managers can include the coordination of staff, implementation of operational policy, proactive monitoring of sales and customer satisfaction or liaising with suppliers. To be a great venue manager requires excellent organisaiton and coordination skills along with people management skills and the ability to deal well with the unexpected! Let’s hear more from graduates working in venue management…
1. Daily Tasks
‘My typical day involves cash handling, basic payroll (checking all working hours are correct and submitted), ordering products, constructing rotas, overseeing a busy working restaurant, dealing with customers and staff.’
Assistant Manager, London at Carluccio’s
‘Business reviews with pub managers around sales and profits, HR issues, marketing projects, building projects, training and engagement with team.’
Retail Business Manager, at Mitchells and Butlers
‘Typically I will be answering any client enquiries/queries, researching new business sources such as new databases, and then working through these to build the reputation and business for RBE. I work with other members of the sales team on a daily basis, along with liaising with operations staff where required. We do work closely with the Meetings & Events Sales teams who are based on property, as they will be the people who handle any enquiries which we take. We also host client lunches/dinners etc and attend various events, which is the interesting part of the job sometimes.’
Business Development Executive, Sales at Radisson Blu Edwardian
2. Best & Worst Things About Your Job
‘Good working hours. Lots of exposure to company management. High pressure and lots of responsibilities.’
Revenue Graduate, at Marriott Hotels
‘Guest interaction. Finance interaction. Pressure, stress, work overload.’
Future Leader, Dubai Festiva City at InterContinental Hotels Group
‘The training the company provides. It’s a large company, but you can always see/speak to the people at the top. The friendly atmosphere in all restaurants between staff. The ability to progress. The ability to move to different restaurants and try new things. The hours are not always straight (but it is hospitality!)’
Assistant Manager, London at Carluccio’s
3. Average Working Hours
9am – 6pm
4. Average Salary
£23,000 – £25,000
5. Interview Tips
Application Advice: Don’t apply if you want a 9-5 job. Its not a 9-5 industry so this won’t be what you’ll work consistently. Get to know our brands, show interest in some familiar names!
Interview Advice: Be yourself, its about finding out if we’re right for you as much as finding out if you’re right for us!
Operations Graduate, at Mitchells and Butlers
Application Advice: There are a lot of applicants for this role if you really want it take your time for the application process and make sure you tick all the boxes
Interview Advice: Be yourself be well prepared
Graduate Trainee, at Merlin Entertainments
Application Advice: Only apply if you have international experience & cultural adaptability skills. You need to be aware that you have to be very flexible as you work basically for 18 months in 5 different locations, with 5 different teams on 5 different projects. If you are aware of this, be yourself in the application and honest, this way you only see if you and the company fit!
Interview Advice: Basic understanding of tourism industry useful, again: most important- be yourself and don’t play a role (you are observed during the final AC by 12 assessors, they will detect if you are not genuine)
International Graduate, at TUI Group
Click here to view the full range of job reviews by graduates in venue and attraction management.
