Events & Venue Manager

Location: Bristol-based
Commitment: 2 days per week
Contract: Part time (40% FTE) initially with review 3 months in and the opportunity to grow into a long-term role

 

About The MAZI Project

The MAZI Project is a youth-led, Bristol-based charity on a mission to empower care-leavers, young asylum seekers, and young people experiencing food insecurity through the power of food. We believe in food as a tool for dignity, connection, and transformation. As we grow, so does the potential of our Community Kitchen, which we see as a multi use space for impact, empowerment, and income generation. We’re looking for a mission-aligned, food loving, systems-minded Events & Operations Manager to lead on events, venue hire, and the operational systems that will help take MAZI to the next level.

 

Role Overview

This is a new and hybrid role blending events, hospitality, venue management, and operational development. You’ll curate a calendar of diverse events, promote our Community Kitchen as a hireable space, and oversee all operational elements of the kitchen to ensure it runs efficiently, safely, and in line with our values.
The ideal person is both creative and process-driven — someone passionate about spreading the power of food and social justice. You’ll bring structure, systems, and compliance to our day-to-day kitchen operations, while developing beautiful, inclusive events that generate revenue and build our community.

This role reports to Founder / CEO working closely with our Programme Director

 

Key Responsibilities:

🍽 Events & Community Engagement

• Develop and deliver a monthly calendar of events for the public. Anything from supper clubs, cooking classes, panel discussion and beyond!
  • Develop our At The Table monthly event into a successful and sought after food event in Bristol.
  • Build partnerships with local and national chefs, artists, businesses, and cultural groups to co-create events.
  • Lead on event logistics, staffing, setup/pack-down, budget breakdown and post-event evaluation
  • Ensure every event reflects the values and mission of The MAZI Project

 

🏢 Venue Hire & Client Management

• Promote our Community Kitchen as a space for hire to:
  • Local organisations and non-profits
  • Corporate teams (e.g. team-building days, networking events, occasion parties and more)
  • Creative and community partners
• Manage enquiries, bookings, contracts, pricing, and invoices
• Ensure clients have an excellent experience from booking to wrap-up
• Build long-term relationships with repeat clients and partners

 

⚙️ Operational Management

Kitchen & Venue Operations

• Oversee running of the kitchen and venue, ensuring it’s clean, safe, and functional for upcoming events
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, contractors, and venue users

 

Systems & Compliance

• Develop clear processes for:
  • Venue hire and scheduling
  • Cleaning and maintenance routines
  • Kitchen onboarding for staff, chefs, and volunteers
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health & safety, and fire safety standards
• Maintain and update policies, risk assessments, and SOPs

 

👥 Volunteer and Team Support

• Help onboard facilitators, event staff, or partner chefs using the space
• Foster a welcoming, values-led atmosphere in all areas of the kitchen
• Work with the wider MAZI team to support volunteers and young people using the kitchen when needed.

 

About You

You LOVE food. You love bringing together, collaborating and hosting — someone who thrives on both building community and building efficient systems behind the scenes. You understand how a space should feel and how it should run.

You’ll bring:

• Proven 3 year experience in events (including promoter roles), hospitality, venue or kitchen management
• Strong operational and organisational skills — you love a good system or checklist
• A solid understanding of health & safety, food hygiene, and venue compliance (or willingness to train)
• Deeply rooted within the hospitality or food scene in Bristol and beyond with strong network of local and national chefs and contacts and a passion for connecting across cultures and sectors
• Excellent communication, confidence in managing client relationships and external partners
• Alignment with The MAZI Project’s mission and a desire to empower young people through food

 

The Practical Bits

• 2 days a week (flexible hours; some evening/weekend work for events)
• Bristol-based, with regular on-site work at our Community Kitchen (BS3)
• Salary: £25k – £29k FTE pro rata depending on experience
• A laptop will be provided
• This role is designed to generate income through events and hire and grow into a long-term funded position

 

To Apply:

Deadline for application: 25th September

We’re committed to inclusive hiring.

We know that not everyone has equal access to polished CVs or traditional career paths, and we also know that many people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, may not apply unless they meet every single requirement. Please don’t rule yourself out if you feel you could thrive in this role but don’t tick every box.

You’re welcome to apply in the way that feels most accessible and comfortable for you, whether that’s a CV, a short video (up to 5 minutes), a portfolio, or another format that helps us understand your skills and experience. If you need any adjustments to the process, just let us know.

Send applications to melanie@themaziproject.com

Interview Process

• 1st: Interview with Founder and Programme Director via zoom
• 2nd: Interview with Founder and Finance Manager, face to face at our aMAZIng kitchen in Bedminster, Bristol.
• We will let you know if you have been successful within 2 weeks of the 2nd interview.