Job: Opening Venue Manager
Location: Teesside, UK
Salary: Circa £50,000 per annum + performance bonus
Work Schedule: Full-time, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays as required
Start Date: ASAP
Overview and Opportunity
Achieve Hospitality is delighted to be supporting the launch of an exciting new, landmark hospitality and events venue, in the search for an exceptional Opening Venue Manager .
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a brand-new venue from pre-opening through to successful operation, bringing together weddings, corporate events, private celebrations and overnight accommodation under one roof.
You will build the operation from scratch, recruit and develop the team, drive pre-opening sales and marketing, and establish the venue as a leading hospitality destination in the region.
Job Description
As Opening Venue Manager, you will take full responsibility for preparing, launching and operating the venue. Working closely with the owners and senior leadership team, you will oversee operational planning, recruitment, systems implementation, compliance, budgets and marketing.
You will lead the Events Sales Manager and wider venue team, ensuring bookings are secured ahead of opening, exceptional guest experiences are delivered and the business achieves its commercial objectives.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on building teams, managing multiple priorities and turning an exciting new concept into a profitable, successful business.
Role Responsibilities
Lead the complete pre-opening process, including operational planning, systems, suppliers, budgets and compliance.
Recruit, train and develop the full venue team across events, front of house, bar, housekeeping and reception.
Drive pre-opening sales, marketing, PR and local business relationships to build a strong pipeline of bookings.
Oversee weddings, corporate events, private functions and accommodation.
Manage the day-to-day operation, ensuring exceptional service and consistently high standards.
Lead the Events Sales Manager and wider team, building a positive, high-performing culture.
Take ownership of budgets, revenue, labour costs, stock control and overall profitability.
Maintain licensing, health and safety, food hygiene and building compliance.
Candidate Requirements
Proven experience leading a venue, hotel or restaurant opening from pre-opening through to trading.
At least three years’ venue management experience, including two years as the senior manager on site.
Experience recruiting and training a team of 15 or more employees from scratch.
Strong experience delivering weddings, corporate events and private functions.
Commercially astute, with experience managing budgets, profit and loss and sales targets.
Experience overseeing or supporting events sales and marketing.
Confident with booking systems, EPOS, rota management and operational procedures.
Personal Licence (APLH) and Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
Full UK driving licence and flexibility to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on, commercially driven leader who remains calm under pressure, takes ownership and is passionate about creating exceptional guest experiences.
Experience with accommodation, new-build openings, launch campaigns and hotel management systems would be advantageous.
Benefits
Competitive salary of circa £50,000 per annum plus performance bonus.
A genuine opportunity to lead an exciting new venue from the ground up.
The chance to build your own team and shape the venue’s culture and standards.
A varied leadership role spanning events, weddings and accommodation.
Support from a senior leadership team committed to the venue’s success.
How to Apply
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please send your CV/resume to laura.iveson@achievehospitality.com .