Business Development and Commercial Events Officer
| Posting date: | 17 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,699 to £39,152 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 March 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | RTES0784 |
Summary
An opportunity has arisen to join the Communications and Marketing team as a Business Development and Commercial Events Officer.
Reporting to the Business Development and Commercial Events Manager and working alongside other members of the team, the purpose of the role is to support the team in delivering projects and activities while ensuring maximum income is generated.
Specifically, the candidate will be responsible for working with marketing partners, event groups and film industry partners to offer a range of services that encourage use while identifying and securing new revenue opportunities through event bookings, sponsorship sales and advertising.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
In this role, you’ll play a key part in generating income that supports community events and strengthens Reading’s profile as a great place to host activities and productions
Support the development and delivery of commercial events, location filming and local advertising to ensure maximum income is generated
Ensure income is secured through assets including roundabout sponsorship opportunities, high street banners and bus shelter adverts as well as through email newsletters and sponsorship of events organised and promoted by the Council.
Support the relationship with the commercial events and filming partners, identifying opportunities within the borough and liaison with potential venues, Council departments and filming representatives to maximise income raised and profile of the borough.
Work with a diverse range of community groups to ensure that their events can be facilitated within our parks and open spaces.
Undertake site visits and inspections during events and filming activity to ensure compliance with conditions identified within the terms of lettings/hire arrangements.
Support the day to day running of the business development and commercial events team, for example processing invoices, collating and reporting feedback, coordinating project plans and general administrative tasks.
About you
You’ll bring experience, confidence and creativity to a role that blends commercial activity with relationship management. You’ll also have the communication and organisational skills needed to work in a fast‑moving, varied environment.
The candidate will require strong interpersonal to help build and maintain strong relationships with clients, sponsors, partners, and other stakeholders. The ability to influence and negotiate is preferred.
Supporting the Business Development and Commercial Events Manger to coordinate and promote events, ensuring they run smoothly and meet objectives will be key.
Candidates will require a sound business sense and the ability to balance resident satisfaction with profitability.
Experience in events (hospitality or relevant industry) business development, or commercial management is preferred,
The role may require working across a number of sites. A current driving licence is desirable. The role will also encompass some weekend and evening working hours (in agreement with the Business Development and Commercial Events Manager)
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Reporting to the Business Development and Commercial Events Manager and working alongside other members of the team, the purpose of the role is to support the team in delivering projects and activities while ensuring maximum income is generated.
Specifically, the candidate will be responsible for working with marketing partners, event groups and film industry partners to offer a range of services that encourage use while identifying and securing new revenue opportunities through event bookings, sponsorship sales and advertising.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
In this role, you’ll play a key part in generating income that supports community events and strengthens Reading’s profile as a great place to host activities and productions
Support the development and delivery of commercial events, location filming and local advertising to ensure maximum income is generated
Ensure income is secured through assets including roundabout sponsorship opportunities, high street banners and bus shelter adverts as well as through email newsletters and sponsorship of events organised and promoted by the Council.
Support the relationship with the commercial events and filming partners, identifying opportunities within the borough and liaison with potential venues, Council departments and filming representatives to maximise income raised and profile of the borough.
Work with a diverse range of community groups to ensure that their events can be facilitated within our parks and open spaces.
Undertake site visits and inspections during events and filming activity to ensure compliance with conditions identified within the terms of lettings/hire arrangements.
Support the day to day running of the business development and commercial events team, for example processing invoices, collating and reporting feedback, coordinating project plans and general administrative tasks.
About you
You’ll bring experience, confidence and creativity to a role that blends commercial activity with relationship management. You’ll also have the communication and organisational skills needed to work in a fast‑moving, varied environment.
The candidate will require strong interpersonal to help build and maintain strong relationships with clients, sponsors, partners, and other stakeholders. The ability to influence and negotiate is preferred.
Supporting the Business Development and Commercial Events Manger to coordinate and promote events, ensuring they run smoothly and meet objectives will be key.
Candidates will require a sound business sense and the ability to balance resident satisfaction with profitability.
Experience in events (hospitality or relevant industry) business development, or commercial management is preferred,
The role may require working across a number of sites. A current driving licence is desirable. The role will also encompass some weekend and evening working hours (in agreement with the Business Development and Commercial Events Manager)
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.