Join a pivotal new role at Winchester Science Centre as our Business Development Officer (Venue Hire & Corporate Partnerships), where you’ll help shape the future of our commercial strategy and corporate relationships.

This exciting opportunity places you at the forefront of our growing events and venue hire programme, with a focus on revenue generation, partnership development, and event planning.

The Role

As the key driver behind our commercial hire offering, including our stunning 168-seat Planetarium and interactive exhibits, you'll be responsible for growing and managing client partnerships, coordinating event delivery, and maximising income opportunities that support our charitable mission. If you're a proactive, sales-focused professional with experience in client management, venue hire, or corporate sales, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Sales

• Drive income growth through proactive promotion and sales of venue hire services.
• Develop and implement a venue hire sales strategy, setting and achieving revenue targets.
• Identify and pursue new corporate partnerships and business opportunities.
• Track performance and provide regular reporting on sales metrics and client engagement.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate clients, event planners, and business partners, representing the Charity to a high professional standard at all times.
• Manage client communications from inquiry to post-event follow-up to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.
• Represent the organisation at networking events and trade shows where applicable.

Event Coordination and Execution

• Oversee planning and delivery of all corporate and private hire events, ensuring a seamless and high-quality client experience.
• Liaise with internal teams (e.g., operations, AV, catering) to ensure all aspects of events are well-executed.
• Duty manage events on-site when required, acting as the senior lead for building operations and visitor experience.

Marketing and Promotion

• Support the development of marketing campaigns and promotional materials for the venue hire programme.
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing team to raise the profile of the Centre as a premium event destination.

 Operational and Team Leadership

• Lead by example, motivating event staff and ensuring exceptional service standards.
• Ensure all event activity aligns with Wonderseekers’ values and charitable objectives.
• Uphold health and safety, safeguarding, and access protocols during events.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a business development, venue hire, sales, or an events management role.
• Proven ability to generate revenue and build client relationships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Organised, commercially minded, and able to juggle multiple priorities.
• Experience working in a customer-facing role within hospitality, events, or the nonprofit sector is a plus.

Job details

Hours: 30–37.5 hours per week (4–5 days)

Work Pattern: Flexible working is required, a mixture of office hours and evening/weekend work in line with the scheduled event hires and event programming.

Salary: £26,500–£30,000 per annum (FTE, dependent on experience)

Contract: Permanent

Line manager: Head of Programming

Responsible for: Birthday Party Host, Inspirers and Event Casuals

Application deadline and interviews: Rolling application process - We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, as we will review applications and conduct interviews on an ongoing basis. Early application is highly recommended to ensure the best opportunity for consideration.  

About our Charity

Wonderseekers (the Charity behind Winchester Science Centre) strives to engage all children with science so they can live happier, healthier and more sustainable lives and contribute to improving life on earth. The Charity runs Winchester Science Centre - a vibrant, hands-on experience for young children. Promising an exciting day out for families, with curriculum-linked trips for schools and an evening events programme, the Science Centre welcomes over 170,000 visitors every year. Through our magnificent planetarium and live science experiences, science is brought to life in imaginative, fun and accessible ways that means everyone is included. 

Interview Process:

We look forward to getting to know you through our friendly and welcoming interview process. The interview is likely to include a pre-interview task and questions from our panel. Interview questions will be circulated in advance.

We can’t wait to hear from you! Please contact us if you’d like to arrange an informal chat, or have any questions about the role before applying on hr@wonderseekers.charity.

Ready to apply?

When you are ready to apply, please submit your application through our recruitment portal.

You will be asked to submit your contact details and answer a few questions so we can get to know you. Please keep your responses concise, this is your opportunity to really stand out. After answering these questions, please upload your cover letter and CV.

Need information in a different format or would like to apply in an alternative way? Just get in touch using the email address above or call our office and book a call with HR on 07483 371391.

No recruitment agencies, thank you.