Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

Role Purpose  This is a senior, hands-on role at Wolves Lane Centre, responsible for marketing, promoting, and  managing the Centre’s spaces for community, commercial and private hires; setting Centre-wide  customer standards; generating a significant net contribution to the Centre’s overall costs, and curating  events that engage and inspire the communities it serves. 

You will work closely with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations Manager to ensure the Centre’s offer is in  demand, high customer satisfaction and fulfils the role’s intended purpose.  Together with the Facilities  & Operations Manager, you will also develop and deliver a Community Engagement Strategy & Action  Plan that amplifies the Centre’s reach and supports its mission as a vibrant community hub.  You will always act as an ambassador for the Wolves Lane Consortium and Centre, demonstrating the  desired values and behaviours, and earning trust and respect  

Key Relationships 

• Wolves Lane Consortium Board (reporting and strategic input) 
• Facilities & Operations Manager (close collaboration)
• WLC staff team including volunteers
• Ubele CIC (Consortium co-managing steward and tenants of new office space) and Ubele’s Black  Rootz initiative (tenants of growing spaces)
• Community, commercial and private hirers; business associations; community organisations, groups  and their members; event attendees; value-stakeholders 

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities  Leadership & Management  

• Lead the venue hires and events function in a way that values and involves the whole team,  contributes to the Centre’s sustainability, and enhances its reputation as a community asset.
• Alongside and together with the Facilities & Operations Manage to support the Board in developing,  and refreshing, the Centre’s strategic, business and annual plans, 
• Alongside and together with the Facilities & Operations Manager, to pursue the delivery of the  Centre’s strategic, business, and annual plans
• Together with the Facilities & Operations Manager to co-develop and then to lead the  implementation of a Community Engagement Strategy & Action Plan that animates the Centre’s  spaces, strengthens community ties, and attracts diverse audiences.
• Motivate and inspire the team to deliver exceptional customer service and community engagement.  Venue Hires  • Develop and implement a Board-approved Hires Policy, ensuring alignment with the Centre’s values  as both a community and income-generating asset. 
• Create and implement a Marketing & Promotions Strategy to maximise usage of the Centre’s spaces  (including hall, learning space, courtyard) by community, private and corporate clients. 
• Generate significant income from hires, meeting or exceeding agreed budget targets while  maintaining excellent standards and relationships. 
• Manage the full lifecycle of hires, from enquiry to confirmation, ensuring bookings run smoothly,  invoices are issued promptly, and payments are secured in advance. 
• Act as the primary contact for hirers, providing tours, advice, and on-site presence for key bookings  or events as needed. 
• Ensure effective use of the space-rental software, platforms, optimising functionality and user  experience. 

Events & Community Engagement 

• Curate and deliver an ongoing programme of community-focused events, co-curated with target  audiences, that increase awareness, footfall, and engagement with the Centre.
• Conduct proactive outreach to stakeholders, communities, and potential partners to promote the  Centre and its offer.
• Ensure that events reflect the Centre’s ethos of sustainability and inclusivity. 

Customer Experience 

• Set centre-wide customer and visitor service standards applicable to all areas, facilities and services,  ensuring these comply with all regulatory and health & safety requirements, and are consistently  applied and visible. 

Key Competencies & Attributes 

• Strong sales, marketing, and customer service skills with a track record of meeting income targets. 
• Experience managing hires and events ideally in  a multi-use or community venue.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to lead and motivate teams, including staff and volunteers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative approach.
• Resilience, creativity, and ability to work in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
• Commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and the Centre’s mission. 

Qualifications & Experience 

Essential 

• Proven experience in venue and event management, marketing, or sales in a comparable  environment. 
• Strong understanding of customer service and operational standards. 
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and booking systems. 
• Ability to develop and implement policies, plans, and strategies. 
• Understanding of community needs and ability to engage diverse audiences. 

Desirable 

• Experience in a community-focused, horticultural, & / or environmental organisation. 
• Knowledge of sustainable and climate-friendly operations. 
• Familiarity with safeguarding, licensing, and compliance requirements.

Application information

To apply please send your CV with a covering letter that responds to the following four questions, the  answers to which will inform your progression to the next stage.  In answers that are no more than a  couple of paragraphs please let us know: 

1. Why are you interested in working for Wolves Lane Consortium?  We’re keen to understand your motivation to work with Wolves Lane Consortium.   Please be specific  about what appeals to you – whether it’s our purpose, our values, the opportunities we offer, or  something else that resonates with you.   
2. What do you understand about the role you have applied for?   We’re keen to understand your motivation for this role.  Please share your insights on the span of  work you think you might be involved in and what you envision your day-to-day activities and inter actions could look like   
3. What specific technical skills, strengths, experiences, and character do you have that in your  view would enable you to excel in this role?   Your response will enable us to understand a little more about what you’ve done and who you are,  

Your completed covering letter, addressing the questions above, and your cv should be sent to:  jobs@wolveslane.org

Your completed application should be submitted to arrive no later than: Thursday 28th August  

Interviews scheduled to take place: During period Wednesday 3rd September to  Tuesday 9th September 

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs