Event Manager – Weekend Jazz Shows (Freelance)

About the role As Event Manager, you'll be the on-site lead and host for our weekend jazz concerts — responsible for the guest experience, team coordination and smooth running of the evening from doors open to final departure. You'll work alongside our Production Manager (who handles technical setup and logistics) to deliver a premium, immersive experience every time. This is a hands-on leadership role — you'll need to think on your feet, lead a small front-of-house team with warmth and confidence, and keep the evening running exactly to plan. What you'll do Event Leadership & Ownership Act as the on-site lead for all event operations Take overall responsibility for the success of the evening Ensure the event runs on time and to Lumos standards Make confident, informed decisions in real time Guest Experience Oversee the full guest journey from arrival to departure Ensure a warm, professional and efficient check-in Monitor audience comfort, flow and atmosphere Handle guest enquiries and resolve issues discreetly Uphold the immersive, premium tone of the experience Team Leadership Brief and lead front-of-house staff and assistants Delegate roles clearly (ticketing, ushering, bar support, etc.) Maintain morale and professionalism throughout the evening Step in hands-on during busy periods Show Flow & Coordination Manage event timings (doors, performance start, interval where applicable) Liaise with musicians regarding readiness and cues Coordinate with the Production Manager on venue readiness Ensure smooth transitions throughout the evening, with a team member always present in the room Venue Liaison Act as the primary guest-facing representative of Lumos Maintain positive relationships with venue staff Ensure compliance with venue rules and access times Manage closing procedures and venue handover Issue Resolution Calmly resolve last-minute challenges and guest complaints Make quick, solutions-focused decisions Escalate serious issues appropriately Post-Event Oversee a safe and orderly guest exit Confirm the venue is left in agreed condition Complete event reporting and a feedback summary Communicate key notes back to the operations team What We're Looking For Previous experience in event management, hospitality, or front-of-house leadership A calm, confident decision-maker who's comfortable leading a team on the night Warm, professional communication skills with a genuine passion for guest experience Comfortable working weekend evenings at venues across the UK A love of live music and immersive experiences is a big plus Pay & Details Pay rate: £20.00 per hour, from arrival at venue to departure Breaks: Paid 30-minute break for shifts over 6 hours Travel: Mileage reimbursed at £0.30 per mile (travel time itself is not included in shift hours) Shift pattern: Weekend evenings, flexible/freelance basis Onboarding: Full training manual and a paid training shift provided before your first solo event