Commercial Assistant

Job Introduction

Highcliffe Castle is recruiting for an engaging and exciting opportunity as a Commercial Assistant, available on a 12 month fixed-term contract.

The role will help to develop, deliver and promote the facilities & services at Highcliffe Castle in line with the Business Plan, Management Plan, Heritage Lottery Fund bid targets and action plan and the Council strategies and policies.   

To support the development, planning and delivery of commercial activity, including heritage and commercial events, business events and weddings within Highcliffe Castle and grounds, assisting with the operations of commercial activity as required.

To be part of the commercial team at Highcliffe Castle, building positive relationships with staff, stakeholders, partners, service providers and customers.  

Main Responsibilities

• Support the Commercial Manager with developing commercial activity within Highcliffe Castle and grounds
• Ensure booking systems used for the scheduling of commercial activity are kept up to date and relevant staff are kept informed of bookings and changes to arrangements
• Deliver show rounds for prospective customers and event organisers
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and agencies who support the delivery of commercial activity within Highcliffe Castle
• Work closely with the functions and operational teams to develop the commercial activity and review pricing  
• Assist with the collection and analysing of data to support the business to develop its service   
• Assist with the management of communications and promotions including printed material, websites and social media.   
• Assist with the setting and realising of income targets.
• Assist the Commercial Manager with ensuring the Tea Rooms function provides a high-quality offer and supports commercial activity were appropriate
• Attend exhibitions and conferences relevant to developing and promoting the commercial activity within Highcliffe Castle
• Assist the Commercial Manager to ensure all commercial activities are in line with relevant Health
• & Safety requirements and documentation is maintained and updated  
• Support the Highcliffe Castle team with delivery of functions and events within Highcliffe Castle and grounds
• Process invoices to ensure all income and expenditure is processed in a timely manner
• Respond to complaints and compliments in relation to commercial activity Highcliffe Castle  
• Provide effective communication between managers, staff, partners, contractors and stakeholders.   
• Build positive and productive partnership relationships with local residents associations, community groups, internal Service Units, Council Members, other providers, external organisations and users.   

The Ideal Candidate

• NVQ 3 or equivalent experience
• Marketing & communications experience
• Experience of delivering commercial activity within an indoor setting and within public grounds and the complexities of these being used for various purposes
• Experience of delivering creative solutions to a range of problems.  
• Experience of financial and administrative systems  
• Related Health & Safety knowledge and safe working practices.  
• IT skills in Word, Outlook and Power Point.  
• Complaint handing skills
• Organised and efficient with attention to detail.  
• High level of resilience and calm under pressure
• Literacy and numeracy skills  
• Strategic thinker and effective decision maker  

•  Must be able to travel, using public or other forms of transport where they are viable, or by holding a valid UK driving licence with access to own or pool car.   

Closing Date - 17 May 2024

Interview dates - Week beginning 27 May 2024

For an informal discussion about the role, please email lara.merredew@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website.

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation and colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. This is expected to be in place in 2024.