Apprentice - Sales and Events Assistant
Job Title
Sales and Events Assistant
Location
Deptford Lounge
Contract
12-month fixed term, starting in January 2016
Hours
35 per week including release for college; your hours of work
will vary as per monthly event schedule and include regular
evenings and weekends
Responsible to
Operations Manager
Salary
£6.70 per hour
Holidays
20 days per annum plus Bank Holidays
Background
The Albany is a social enterprise and new type of performing arts venue, driven by
the cultural diversity and creative mix of South East London, and working across art
forms including theatre, spoken word, music, film and dance. In addition to grant
funding it generates about £1.5mil per year from space hire, catering and other
services.
The Albany also manages community and performance spaces based within two
new library buildings: Canada Water Culture Space in Southwark and the Deptford
Lounge in Lewisham.
This position will be based at the Deptford Lounge. Developed by the London
Borough of Lewisham and opened in January 2012, it is the new flagship building at
the centre of Deptford. Together with the Resolution Studios and Tidemill School it
forms part of a complex for education, leisure and entrepreneurship. The Deptford
Lounge houses a public library and is intended to function as both a ‘living room in
the city’ and a ‘learning centre’ for the communities of North Lewisham. Other
services include a café, adult education courses, four resident community offices,
seven meeting rooms and a number of large flexible-use spaces, including a ball
court, performance hall and a dance studio.
The Albany is providing management of this new building, the café, space hire,
marketing and the development of a year-round programme of activities and events
through partnership working and engagement with the local community.
At the Deptford Lounge we are working with community groups and individuals to
broaden the offer of classes and public events. This could be anything from a
cookery class or a reading group to a film screening, theatre performance, exhibition
or a cultural festival in the square. The aim is to encourage even more people to use
the Lounge and provide valuable and accessible services.
For
more
information
http://www.thealbany.org.uk/
visit
our
websites
www.deptfordlounge.org.uk
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG, T: 020 8692 0231 W: www.thealbany.org.uk
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Sept 2015
Apprentice - Sales and Events Assistant
To learn more about this job you can visit our info sessions and meet the
managers and current apprentices on
Tuesday, 17th Nov 5pm-6pm at the Deptford Lounge or
Thursday, 19th Nov 5pm-6pm at the Albany
www.thealbany.org.uk/about/14/News-&-Jobs
Purpose of Post
This post will be primarily based at the Deptford Lounge and together with the Sales
and Bookings Manager and the Operations Manager you will support the marketing,
administration and management of space and event bookings as well as the delivery
of cultural and community events.
You will be expected to perform a variety of different tasks, from assisting customers
at reception or over the phone to desk-based office work and hands-on jobs like
setting up spaces for events. You will be proactive in selling our spaces as well as
developing good relationships with our existing and potential new bookers. You will
be providing front-line customer service on a daily basis, dealing with enquiries and
space bookings, process administrative tasks and payments, help to run events,
ensuring technical and health and safety requirements are met, and collect and
record feedback and statistical information from our visitors.
You will gain real work experience and knowledge of the processes and procedures
that enable the smooth running of the venue and facilitate pleasant customer
experiences that lead to repeat business and more revenue.
During term time you will attend College to achieve a level 3 qualification in Business
Administration.
Main Duties
Working with the Sales and Bookings Manager and the Operations Manager you will
build your skills and knowledge in order to successfully:
 Promote and up-sell hire spaces and services, contributing to meet and exceed
income targets
 Carry out research, assist with compiling and implementing business development
plans and marketing campaigns
 Act as first point of contact, providing advice and information in person working on
the reception desk and over the phone, promoting the Deptford Lounge and its
services
 Provide friendly, efficient and pro-active customer service to users of the building by
responding to their needs with a positive and consistent approach, managing
expectations and working towards positive outcomes
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG, T: 020 8692 0231 W: www.thealbany.org.uk
Page 2
Sept 2015
Apprentice - Sales and Events Assistant
 Capture and record feedback to support the evaluation of customer satisfaction and
key performance indicators for the Deptford Lounge
 Assist with the collection, reconciliation and collating of financial, customer and
monitoring data and prepare monthly reports
 Process information and administrative tasks promptly and accurately ensuring that
relevant information is readily accessible and efficiently communicated internally,
including data input on Artifax event management software system
 Attend, arrange and service both internal and external meetings as required
including liaison, note taking and follow-up
 Support or manage events, including planning, liaison with the event producer,
volunteer/ staff supervision, dealing with technical requirements and producing event
reports
 Provide Front of House support for events, including duties such as setting up
seating furniture and other equipment, checking tickets, greeting & seating
customers, assisting those with additional needs, monitoring the space during
events and resetting it afterwards.
 Monitor and manage any risks for the public or employees with regards to
housekeeping and cleanliness, Health and Safety, security, safeguarding and
licensing aspects, devising or adapting risk assessments and safety protocols where
necessary
 Assist with incident management and emergency evacuation including nurse calls,
building faults, fire, first aid, suspicious packages (full training will be provided)
 Apply principles of equality & diversity in all areas of work ensuring that the building,
its facilities and our services are accessible and inclusive to all
 Work actively within The Albany’s policies and guidelines (including but not limited
to Equality, Safeguarding of Children and Health & Safety) and meet its
requirements at all times
 Attend college classes, events and training as required (Note: Completion of the
training element of the Apprenticeship is as essential as attendance at work and
will count as part of the working week.
 Undertake any other duties reasonably requested
 By the end of your apprenticeship you should be confident in undertaking all of
these activities yourself and be ready to take your next steps in a sales, customer
service, marketing or events based role
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG, T: 020 8692 0231 W: www.thealbany.org.uk
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Sept 2015
Apprentice - Sales and Events Assistant
Note: This job description is a guide to the nature of the work and reflects the current
situation. It may change in line with future developments and new requirements.
Responsibilities may change or be added depending on experience and need.
Person Specification
Direct previous experience is not essential for this post. A relevant level 2
qualification (i.e. GCSE in English and Maths) or equivalent will be mandatory,
however. In addition, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following
qualities and basic skills:
 Motivated, with a positive work ethic and a ‘can-do’ attitude that demonstrates the
ability to work proactively and to achieve set goals
 Willing and keen to learn and to work towards a career in a sales and/or events role
within the cultural or arts sector
 Open and friendly with enthusiasm and interest in sales and customer service and in
a variety of cultural and arts events
 Punctual and reliable
 Organised, good at planning and managing your own diary and time and prioritising
conflicting demands
 Confident and with a mature approach to dealing with work colleagues and a wide
range of potentially demanding customers
 Effective written and verbal communication skills and a professional telephone
manner
 Calm and resilient in pressured and busy situations
 Able to research and find information and resources to resolve problems
independently
 Administrative skills and aptitude to systematically collate, record, process and file
information and data electronically and on paper
 IT literate with proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook
 Good numeric skills; able to handle and account for cash transactions
 Understanding for the importance of company values, policies, procedures and
guidelines, including Health & Safety guidelines
 Commitment to gaining your apprenticeship qualification through attending college
when required and completing related work within deadlines
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG, T: 020 8692 0231 W: www.thealbany.org.uk
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Sept 2015
Apprentice - Sales and Events Assistant
 Flexibility to work unsociable hours, incl. evenings and weekends
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG, T: 020 8692 0231 W: www.thealbany.org.uk
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Sept 2015