Conference centre manager

A conference centre manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a conference centre. This includes managing all staff and centre services such as:

• reception/front of house;
• catering;
• accommodation;
• marketing, advertising and PR;
• sales;
• finances.

Conference centre managers lead the business by liaising with the business’s operational management team (e.g. catering manager, accommodation manager), ensuring that all services provided meet the clients’ needs and events are run efficiently. Managers must strike a balance between customer satisfaction and effective business management, which often means dealing with last-minute changes or solving problems as they arise.
It is also their responsibility to develop the business by effectively planning ahead, managing future sales/marketing and efficiently budgeting to maximise income generated.

Typical work activities

The variety of tasks undertaken will vary according to the size, location and range of services offered: small organisations will subcontract some of their services out, such as catering and entertainment; large conference centres will undertake the majority of the tasks themselves.
Typical work activities include:

• communicating daily with the management team, planning work schedules and checking client requirements;
• dealing with customer complaints, comments and enquiries; 
• ensuring all events run smoothly;
• managing budgets and financial plans;
• taking responsibility for the recruitment, training, organisation and monitoring of staff;
• supervising maintenance, supplies and equipment;
• achieving profit targets;
• taking responsibility for the sales and marketing of the conference centre, including pricing, promotions, image/brand and profile;
• leading by example in maintaining service standards;
• applying current legal and in-house HR procedures to ensure the retention of good staff and the provision of high-quality services;
• researching markets to identify new business;
• negotiating with external service providers and suppliers as required;
• purchasing equipment necessary for the conference centre to operate;
• ensuring compliance with health and safety, licensing laws and other legal regulations;
• day-to-day troubleshooting and addressing problems as they arise.