Market & Events Manager

Job description

1. POST DETAILS

1.1. Title: Market & Event Manager

1.2. Post Reference: MPEL/MM

1.3. Reporting Location: '43 High Street, Holywood, Northern Ireland BT18 9AB

1.4 Grade/Salary: £34,413.50pa payable 12 monthly payments plus working away overnight allowance of £25.00 per overnight stay and day rates of over 5 hours £5.00 or over 10 hours £10.00 per day.

2. REPORTING TO:

Primarily reporting to Esther Haller – Clarke,

Andy Pidgen – Operations Director

3. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No direct supervisory role internally but the post involves the day-to-day direction and management of contractors cleaning, security personnel and traders.

4. OVERALL PURPOSE OF POST:

Market Place Europe is one of the most established and recognised event and market operators across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Renowned for delivering large-scale, high-quality experiences — including the multi-award-winning Belfast Christmas Market, the Continental Market Tour of NI, and major events such as The Tall Ships, Derry Maritime Festival, and Fleadh Cheoil — we are expanding our operational team to create a new post based in Holywood, Belfast.

We are seeking a motivated, hands-on Events individual to help us develop, deliver, and manage our growing portfolio of markets and events.

The Role

As Market & Events Manager, you will play a key role in:

• Supporting our current event portfolio and leading the development of new weekly, monthly, and seasonal markets across Northern Ireland.
• Identifying, sourcing, and building a strong network of local NI-based traders to form the core of new market programmes.
• Acting as the on-site Manager and primary point of contact for Market Place at various town centres, city centre locations, and event venues across NI, ROI, the UK, and Europe.
• Planning, organising, and managing a wide range of markets — including local, specialist, continental, day markets, weekend markets, and touring events.
• Overseeing event set-up, infrastructure, operations, and delivery from inception through to completion, in line with event management plans.
• Locating, assessing, and developing new market and event venues, primarily across Northern Ireland but also in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, events-led environment
• A confident communicator with strong people skills
• Able to build and manage relationships with traders, partners, and local authorities
• Willing to work flexibly, including some weekends and travel
• Creative and commercially minded, with an interest in developing and staging new market concepts and event opportunities

Experience in events, market operations, or outdoor trading environments is desirable but not essential — the right attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn are equally important and additional training will be offered as part of the role.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential:

• Experience in Events /Market Management and development
• Experience working with, supporting, or managing small self-employed businesses such as traders or stallholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to work to tight deadlines and remain effective in pressurised environments.
• Proven ability to build and maintain excellent stakeholder relationships.

Desirable (Training can be provided if not already held):

• First Aid qualification.
• Health & Safety training (e.g., IOSH).
• Food Hygiene/Food Safety Level 2 (minimum).
• Personal Licence Holder certification.
• Understanding of The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn's Law).
• National Diploma in Market Administration.

Full training will be offered to the successful candidate where required.

Working Pattern

• Full-time, permanent position (40 hours per week).
• Flexible, compressed and irregular working pattern, including Saturdays, Sundays and some public holidays.
• Hours vary in line with market operating times and event schedules.
• Time off in lieu (TOIL) is regularly accrued and booked through the team.
• Extended downtime typically available in January/February due to hours worked during the Christmas events season.
• Benefits:
• Company pension
• Uniform & PPE provided
• Access to pool company vans
• Tax-free subsistence allowances when working away from home

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on some of the most high-profile events in NI & ROI
• A varied, dynamic role with room for creativity and development
• Travel opportunities across the UK
• A supportive, experienced team within a respected industry-leading organisation

5. SPECIFIC TASK AREAS:

5.1. Main Duties

· To build and expand on the current market tour in Northern Ireland, engaging with local authorities, BID's and other landowners to facilitate high profile markets and events.

· To also work with local authorities and other partner organisations across Southern Ireland and Scotland to facilitate high profile markets and events.

· To prepare Event and Market Management plans, risk assessments, plans and method statements in accordance with the operating management structure of Market Place Europe, and attend Safety Advisory Groups (SAG) as required.

· To investigate new market and event opportunities establish contacts and relationships with for example the Northwest 200 and Balmoral Show.

· To undertake site visits and create site plans.

· Support traders in applications and online profile for markets, events and Belfast Christmas Market.

· Maintain a commitment to personal development and keep up to date with best operational practises

· Be the first point of call for queries and questions from traders regarding and during markets and events.

· Supervise security personnel, ensure the allocation of duties, monitor compliance with instructions and vary the regime to adapt to changing circumstances

· Ensure traders comply with all public health requirements such as personal cleanliness, food safety and storage and displaying mandatory signage.

· Report and complete Incident and Accident reports fully and in a timely manner

· Monitor crowd safety and be prepared to respond to variations by changing entry/exit points, introducing a one-way system, restricting entry numbers or evacuating the site in an emergency.

· Collection of all charges, and rents, including arrears and deposits and issue receipts as appropriate.

5.2. General Management Duties

· Manage the coming and going of event traffic always remaining aware of adjacent business requirements and using/acting as banksman as required.

· Monitor adherence to opening and closing times and previously agreed loading and unloading times.

· Maintain Market Place equipment logs ensuring that all kit is checked out and in and that we have sufficient supplies of equipment to undertake the market and event operations.

· Ensuring that all necessary and required equipment is carried at all times in the company vans including and not limited to first aid kits, defibrillator and other safety and market equipment.

· Check trader insurance, gas safety, portable electrical appliance and other such documents, ensure they are valid and up to date and forward copies to head office (The Forum)

· Within the area of alcohol trading, ensure traders comply with trading times, have appropriately qualified SIA badged security personnel and display all the attendant signs and notices regarding age restrictions etc. Acting as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) as required.

· Seek to amicably resolve disputes between for instance traders, members of the public or adjacent businesses.

· Wear the allocated Company uniform and safety boots and other equipment provided by Market Place.

The above task areas are not an exclusive or exhaustive list and are indicative only. The post-holder may be required to undertake different duties as necessitated by the overall objectives of the Company and considered commensurate with the post holder's level of responsibility.

6. PERSONAL CONTACTS:

6.1. Internal:

· Market Traders

· Cleaning and Security Personnel

· Colleagues

6.2. External:

· Council Staff as Representatives of the Client

· Public Health, Safety Officers and members of the Safety Executive etc

· City and Town Centre Managers Business Improvement Districts (BID)

· Private Retailers

· Highways Agencies

· Police, Fire and other emergency services personnel

· Electrical and mechanical Service Engineers

· Gas safety Personnel

· Safety Advisory Group representatives (SAG)

7. HEALTH AND SAFETY:

In accordance with sections 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act ensure the health and safety of all staff and resources within the post-holder's area of responsibility. I.e. delegated responsibility in relation to the post-holder's duties and personal responsibilities.

In addition, the management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 detail the following:

· Employees must inform their employer or supervisor of any work situation that might present a serious and imminent danger to health and safety.

· Employees must inform their employer or supervisor of any shortcomings in the health and safety arrangements, even when no danger exists.

8.EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

The post holder's duties must at all times be carried out in accordance with the Market Place Group of Independent Companies Equal Opportunities Policy and other policies designed to protect employees or the organisation's users from harassment.

It is the duty of the post-holder not to act in a prejudicial manner towards the Market Place Independent Group of Companies' its users or employees. The post-holder should also counteract such practice or behaviour by challenging it or reporting it to their immediate supervisor.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £34,413.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount

Experience:

• Events management: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: On the road

Application deadline: 07/12/2025