Post Title:
Trade Manager
For Hertfordshire Agricultural Society / Herts County Show and Herts Showground Ltd
Post Type:
Flexible dependant on person appointed – based on a 0.8 FTE which could be Fixed Term to July 2026 or Permanent. The role requires flexible working hours including occasional evenings and weekend work. Predominantly office based.
Responsible to:
Executive Director
Working with:
Trustees, Show Committee, Volunteers, Commercial Partners & office staff team
Background
Hertfordshire Agricultural Society (HAS) has been established since 1801. The Charities main aim is to promote agriculture, the environment and rural life for the public benefit, in and around Hertfordshire and surrounding counties. It is also the landowner of the Hertfordshire County Showground, a 70-acre Showground just off junction 9 of the M1 motorway, hosting the annual county show since 1962 and regular events including running, vehicles shows and music festivals. To date the Society has organised 135 Hertfordshire County Shows which take place on the late Spring Bank holiday weekend in May each year. The Hertfordshire County Show has an attendance in the region of 32,000 visitors and is one of Hertfordshire's best outdoor events. The Society also runs an educational Food & Farming Day for Hertfordshire Primary Schools.
An opportunity has come available to join this forward-thinking team of volunteers and staff. The Society wishes to appoint a highly motivated individual with a "can do" attitude. This is a varied, diverse and interesting role which involves assisting the Executive Director to organise the Hertfordshire County Show and showground lettings.
The duties are focused on liaising with trade stand exhibitors, sponsors, contractors, show committee and general administration. The applicant must have strong organisational and interpersonal skills and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The applicant also needs to be self-motivated individual who is flexible and able to make decisions working on their own initiative and alongside the office team. This is a very hands-on practical role.
Responsibilities and duties:
· Developing & maintaining relationships with trade exhibitors, managing the process from booking, location, correspondence, invoicing through to marking out and oversight of the trade stands during show weekend.
· Onsite support for events including access, keys, meter readings and on-call support if required.
· To liaise effectively with volunteer committee members and key stakeholders to deliver desired outcomes.
· To use CAD for mapping trade stands and events
· To promote health & safety best practice by working closely with Executive Director on health & safety matters, ensuring the Society and Hertfordshire County Show are fully complaint with legislation.
· Preparing sales reports for Executive Director and Trustees.
· Complete office administration duties.
Relevant personal skills, experience and qualifications
· An understanding of the agricultural show industry or similar event management.
· Experience of Trade Stand bookings would be an advantage but not essential.
· Excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
· Have good written and verbal communication skills.
· Strong sales and marketing skills to promote events and attract trade exhibitors.
· Ability to work under pressure and meet targets and deadlines.
· Knowledge of databases and experience of Showing Scene useful but not essential
· Effective use of various IT Software packages to include One Plan, CAD, Showing Scene* (training can be provided) .
· Competent IT skills, using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Mail Merge, Excel
· Good standard of education.
· Awareness of Data Protection Act.
· H&S and / or First Aid qualification would be useful but not essential.
· Hold a full UK driving licence.
If you wish to apply for this position, please email your covering letter and CV to: Sarah Moreland at
Applications will close on 10
th
October 2025 – we reserve the right to close earlier.
Interviews will take place week commencing 13
th
October 2025
Salary circa £30,000 – £35,000 dependant on knowledge and experience