Strategic Events and Hospitality Lead

Contract: Permanent
Full Time
DBS Check: No
With a brand-new Mersey Ferry launching next year, we are transforming our events, hospitality and leisure offer to create bigger, more ambitious and more unforgettable experiences than ever before. We are looking for a dynamic, commercially minded Events and Hospitality Lead to shape this new era - helping us elevate the region’s visitor offer and showcase our world-famous waterfront, tunnels and cultural assets to residents, tourists and global audiences. About The Role The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is seeking an outstanding, visionary leader to shape and deliver a major programme of events, hospitality and leisure experiences centred on our most iconic asset - the world-famous Mersey Ferries. While the ferries will be at the heart of this role, you will also support select activities across our wider portfolio, including the Mersey Tunnels, filming opportunities and community venues. This is a rare opportunity to reimagine one of the region’s most recognisable symbols, transforming it into a must-visit destination that captivates local communities, national audiences and international visitors alike. With the arrival of the new ferry, you will be at the forefront of an ambitious expansion of our tourism and events programme, developing innovative concepts such as enhanced themed cruises, cultural showcases, premium leisure journeys and exceptional corporate hospitality. You’ll create income-generating products across events, hospitality, filming, private hire and specialist experiences - ensuring our assets deliver both world-class visitor moments and strong commercial returns. You’ll oversee an exciting and diverse portfolio of activity, from River Explorer Cruises and tunnel tours to tourism events, community celebrations, private hires and high-profile corporate functions. You’ll lead a dedicated team, fostering a culture of creativity, growth and outstanding customer experience while driving digital customer journeys, bookings and marketing activity to expand reach and revenue. As the senior onsite lead for major events, you’ll work directly with VIPs, media and partners, ensuring every experience is safe, inclusive and reflective of the Liverpool City Region’s identity. You’ll also manage filming and location hire across LCRCA sites, putting clear pricing and professional processes in place to attract high-quality productions that shine a spotlight on our region. This is not just a job, it’s a chance to redefine destination experiences and lead one of the most exciting visitor-focused transformations in the UK. Experienced in delivering large-scale tourism, leisure or cultural events
Excited by the opportunity to shape a new ferry-led events and hospitality strategy
Confident managing suppliers, filming partners and location hire processes
Calm, organised and customer-focused, with excellent relationship-building skills
A strong leader who can inspire teams and deliver events that exceed expectations
Event Management Experience

The ideal candidate will have significant senior-level experience planning, coordinating, and delivering various large scale events, such as conferences, corporate hospitality, and public gatherings. They must also possess thorough knowledge of relevant event legislation.
~ Stakeholder Management

Candidates should have experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders such as marketing, digital, finance, insurers, media producers, tourist agencies, and event suppliers. Strong skills in relationship-building, team leadership, performance management, and contract oversight are required.
~ Commercial Acumen

Applicants must have a strong commercial focus and proven success in developing revenue-generating events that support wider strategic goals and build organisational reputation and brand. Significant and strategic experience with budget management, vendor contracts, pricing, and maximising customer revenue is required.
Interviews for this role will commence from Monday 5th Janaury to Friday 9th January.
Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing - growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.
The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation-led economy. We are seizing the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK - investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure. Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind.
Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
~ Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years’ service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
~ Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
~ Flexible and hybrid working
~24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
~ Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
~ Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
~ Bike to Work Scheme
~ Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest free learning loan for any non-job-related learning

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under-represented by people from these communities.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
We actively promote diversity and inclusion. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Please apply online via the link provided.
Please note, CV applications will only be accepted alongside a completed personal and monitoring information online application form.