Events Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 202122 we reached 650 million people.

Visits and Events Manager (Consultant)

Pay Band: 7

Salary:Starting 30,839 (+ 3,300 market allowance if based in London)
Contract Type:Indefinite

Location:UK; London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast

Reports to: Lead Events Manager, Cultural Engagement

Requirements:Candidates must have the pre-existing (permanent) right to work in location.
Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
• 3 days volunteering leave
• Career average defined benefit pension scheme
• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and / or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world!

Closing date:Thursday 4th January, 11:59pm UK time.

Role Purpose

The Visits and Events Manager will be responsible for the design, development, and delivery of externally focussed virtual, hybrid and in person events and visits on behalf of the Cultural Engagement SBU, working closely with colleagues across a varied range of programmes, both in the UK and globally.

Context

Visits and Events is a specialist function within the Cultural Engagement SBU which drives awareness, understanding and effective engagement across our diverse audiences. We use insight, knowledge and analysis of our markets and customers to engage with the British Councils international cultural relations mission through face to face and digital events and activities in the most impactful and effective way.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted our work considerably and required the team to up-skill to be able to run virtual events. in-person events have now returned but we recognise that event technology has transformed our work and is now an integral element in the planning and delivery of events. We are developing a flexible delivery model incorporating digital and hybrid events and the ability of the team to identify the technology needs that deliver on event objectives has become ever more important.

Main accountabilities

Event management and planning

• Designs, plans, and delivers and manages V&E projects from inception to closure to ensure desired outcomes are achieved which create impact and strengthen the reputation and profile of the British Council as leaders in event management.
• Agrees and clarifies targets for the project and incorporate these into detailed work plans and milestones, so that the project delivers the intended business and client objectives.
• Manages platform set-up, content upload, speaker rehearsals, live production and troubleshooting for digital events.
• Co-ordinates events on the day (regardless of delivery method), manages individual roles and responsibilities, attendance, registration desks, programme/itinerary, and on-going monitoring, and controls during event delivery.
• Provides expert professional advice, support, and challenge on events management to internal customers and other stakeholders to support the development of high quality, effective and appropriate events.

Stakeholder managements

• Managesand develops effective trust-based relationships with a range of key internal and external practitioners, partners, and organisations across the global network.
• Works with event commissioners and stakeholders to shape events advise on the selection of technology tools and functionality that deliver on event objectives.
• Manages external Visits Consultants whilst they are on assignment to ensure the effective delivery a visit or event.

Financial management, risk & compliance

• Develops costing and manages budgets effectively ensuring value for money through the selection and management of external suppliers.
• Negotiates, procures, contracts, and manages third party suppliers in line with procurement and government regulations.
• Uses standardised processes to ensure compliance with corporate risk management procedures relevant to event delivery (e.g., child protection, H&S, security policies, financial protocols) to always protect the interests of the British Council and its customers.
• Ensure digital events are compliant for security, data privacy, IP and contracting, adhering to British Council guidelines.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and Safeguarding

• Ensuring that the needs of customers from diverse equality backgrounds are taken into account in the design, delivery and evaluation of visits and events.
• Using EDI mainstreaming tools and checklists at appropriate points in the visits and events cycle to improve accessibility and the quality of the visit/ event.
• Collecting, analysing, and acting on equality monitoring data in conjunction with the British Council team commissioning the visit or event
• Acting as a first point of contact for customers (audiences) and partners (suppliers) to ensure that visits and events are delivered in line with British Council EDI and safeguarding standards, including accessibility standards for digital events.

Key challenges / opportunities

• Managing external facing virtual, hybrid and in-person UK and Global events within the Cultural Engagement portfolio for a wide range of audience from school pupils to high-level stakeholders during a time of change and uncertainty
• Designing and running visits and events that are accessible and inclusive for participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Supporting the team in exploring how to: a) use event technology to achieve success in delivering event objectives b) create immersive and effective participant experiences, c) develop new processes and practices for virtual and hybrid event delivery d) identify areas for change and improvement.
• Ensuring delivery of events planning to best practice standards, and effectively utilising frameworks, tools and templates for events planning and delivery
• Engage, and develop relationships with colleagues from across the global network.

• Actively contribute to Cultural Engagement being recognised as a centre of excellence in event management.

Role specific knowledge and experience

• Substantial experience in managing and delivering complex events on behalf of diverse stakeholders.
• Experience of managing a range of events within varying budgets.
• Substantial experience with event technology tools and of delivering virtual events on at least two platforms.
• Understanding of Child Protection and safeguarding standards.
• Experience of designing events that are accessible and are inclusive for people from diverse equality backgrounds or, of working with diverse audiences.

Role specific skills

• Strong communication skills, being able to converse with both internal and external stakeholders and translate technical jargon to help them make informed choices regarding the use of event technology.
• Able to question and interrogate event briefs and work with clients to ensure delivery mechanism achieves event objectives.
• Takes into account the recommendations and lessons learned from evaluations of previous events to inform event planning.

Additional information

Many of our highest profile events are in London and it is expected that the post holder would be able to travel for these as needed. There may be occasional travel to other parts of the UK and/or overseas. Some early morning and event work is required, with occasional weekend events.

You must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Closing date:Thursday 4th January, 11:59pm UK time.

Interviews will be held towards the end of January.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion(EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council iscommitted to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Councils Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ASK HR email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.