Reporting to

CEO

Location

Kings Norton, Birmingham (B30)

Working pattern

Hybrid

The opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly visible, high-impact role at the heart of the hospitality and events sector.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll strengthen NCASS influence, profile and partnerships across the industry. You’ll be out in the sector, building relationships, shaping narratives, representing members, and ensuring NCASS is recognised as a trusted, authoritative voice for independent hospitality.

If you’re commercially minded, confident externally, and passionate about supporting independent businesses, this role offers both visibility and purpose in equal measure.

You’ll love this if you…

  • Thrive on connection, influence and momentum
  • Enjoy being “in the room” at events, panels, forums
  • Can turn sector insight into action internally
  • Write clearly and represent brands professionally

What you’ll do

Industry & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build, manage and grow relationships with sector bodies, partners and networks
  • Represent NCASS at meetings, forums, panels, expos and events across the UK
  • Spot opportunities for collaboration, influence and visibility — and act on them
  • Bring back sector intelligence to inform strategy and decision-making
  • Coordinate and support NCASS Ambassadors representing the sector nationwide
  • Lead NCASS PR activity, from proactive media engagement to reactive responses
  • Build strong relationships with trade and mainstream press
  • Draft press releases, statements, briefings and media commentary
  • Secure thought leadership opportunities and commentary for NCASS
  • Support and enhance the CEO’s external profile
  • Work closely with Public Affairs to align policy and public narrative
  • Support lobbying and campaigning through clear, coordinated messaging
  • Assist with consultation responses and sector-facing policy commentary
  • Track emerging policy developments and translate them into clear insights
  • Lead or support NCASS presence at exhibitions, events and panels
  • Coordinate preparation, logistics and representation at key sector moments
  • Work across teams to deliver campaigns and strategic initiatives with clarity and momentum
  • Identify relevant funding, grants and schemes across hospitality, events, skills and training
  • Work with internal teams and partners to assess and shape funded initiatives
  • Support proposal development, partnerships and delivery models
  • Stay ahead of emerging opportunities in the funding landscape
  • Provide briefings, insight and preparation for CEO external engagements
  • Anticipate needs, manage follow-ups and maintain smooth communication flows
  • Monitor sector trends, risks and opportunities
  • Engage directly with members and operators at events and forums
  • Share intelligence and opportunities with internal teams
  • Support commercial conversations where sector insight adds value
  • Help position NCASS as a leading supporter of independent hospitality

Who we’re looking for

Essential

  • Experience in hospitality, events, communications, associations or related sectors
  • Proven stakeholder and relationship management skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple workstreams
  • Experience drafting press releases or public-facing communications
  • Commercially minded and insights-driven
  • Confident public speaker with professionalism and maturity
  • Comfortable working independently in a fast-moving environment

Desirable

  • PR, communications or policy-adjacent experience
  • Experience supporting or organising events and sector forums
  • Understanding of the hospitality regulatory or political landscape
  • An existing network within relevant sectors

The mindset that matters

Resilient, adaptable and calm under pressure. Energy, curiosity and integrity. Confident without ego, hands-on when needed, motivated by impact.

Why join us?

  • Work at the heart of independent hospitality and events – influence the sector, not just observe it
  • High-visibility role: represent NCASS at panels, forums and media opportunities
  • Collaborate directly with the CEO and cross-functional teams on strategic projects
  • Mission-driven organisation making a real difference for members
  • Flexible, supportive environment where your ideas and initiative matter

Benefits

  • Holiday: 28 days (incl. Bank Holidays)
  • Extra holiday: +1 day each year after first 3 years (up to 5)
  • Christmas closure: 3–5 days (calendar dependent)
  • Pension: 5% employer / 5% employee
  • Sick pay: Full pay for 10 days in any rolling 12-month period (after probation)
  • Life insurance: 4× salary (subject to scheme acceptance)
  • EAP: 24/7 advice line + 6 counselling sessions + discounts platform
  • Perks: Free parking, free hot & cold drinks, free fruit

Apply for this position

If you’re excited by the idea of shaping conversations, building influence and representing a sector you believe in, we’d love to hear from you.

Send your CV and a short cover note to [email protected] with the subject line Industry Engagement Manager Application.

Email recruitment

About NCASS

We’re the only specialist organisation for independent food & drink businesses in the UK and have been supporting our members to be safe, legal and profitable for over 30 years.

What we do

We provide ongoing support, professional services, training courses, work opportunities and exclusive discounts — saving our members time and money as they build successful businesses.

More about us What do members get?