Events & Training Officer/Lead

The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is at the forefront of uniting the
interdisciplinary field of environmental science around a shared mission: to work with speed,
vision and expertise to solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Alongside this, we’re a charity working to raise the profile of our members’ increasingly
crucial work. Today, there is an environmental dimension to every debate, and our thousands of
members are embedded in every field; at the forefront of delivering global, evidence-based
solutions to the challenges facing our environment and society.

Main Purpose of the Post

We are looking for a dynamic and multi-talented professional with experience of developing,
running and promoting events. You will be responsible for curating an events and
training programme that appeals to the interests of our members and engages with emerging
topics in environmental science. You will have the opportunity to work closely with members of
our Communities (special interest groups) and the IES team to lead our highly regarded events
calendar, including our conferences, webinars and training events.

Relishing a varied workday and the chance to engage with a wide range of environmental topics
and people, you will need to be highly organised and happy to work both autonomously and
collaboratively. 

Job Role

Events

• Maintain systems to interact with, and listen to, IES staff, committees, communities and
  members, and be aware of developing issues within the sector, to curate a programme of events
  that adequately reflects the interests of our members and engages with emerging topics in
  environmental science.
• Ensure continuous improvement and evolution of the events and webinar programme, utilising
  technology where appropriate to deliver innovative virtual and physical events.
• Manage all events from conception to completion, setting, communicating and fulfilling
  project timelines. This includes sourcing suitable venues, liaising with the organising group
  to build the conference agenda, sourcing speakers and liaising with exhibitors. 
• Host webinars and meetings with relevant stakeholders.
• Forecast event income, expenditure and associated risks, and deliver events within agreed
  budgets.
• Develop contacts, ensure good working relationships, and drive revenue growth or cost
  savings with venues, speakers, exhibitors and external suppliers.
• Promote awareness of upcoming events and ensure that appropriate links are maintained
  between your work and the wider IES team.
• Maintain online events resources library and seek opportunities to drive revenue through
  these assets.
• Onsite management of logistics and operations at events to ensure they run smoothly.
• Organise appropriate sponsorship and exhibitors for events.

Training

• In conjunction with other staff or committees, help develop training packages, either
  delivered in-house or outsourced where appropriate.
• Co-ordinate and support delivery of in-house training.
• Undertake appropriate market research – such as focus groups, surveys and one-to-one
  conversations with members – to identify areas where IES could develop new training

Person Specification

This is a multi-skilled position and we recognise that no candidate is likely to have all the
desirable skills. Studies have shown that women, communities of colour and historically
underrepresented talent are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single
requirement. At the IES we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic
workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align
perfectly with every requirement listed, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Undergraduate degree, level 5 or above technical qualification, or equivalent experience
• At least one year’s office-based experience
• Ability to quickly pick up new tasks and communicate complex or technical concepts
  effectively
• Experience using Zoom or equivalent online platforms for events/meetings
• Experience organising in-person events
• Proven ability to initiate and build relationships with stakeholders
• Excellent time management with ability to juggle competing projects and meet tight
  deadlines
• Understanding of the budgetary process
• Comfortable working autonomously as well as with a small team
• Interest in the environment, sustainability and/or science

Desirable

• Experience in the environmental or NGO/Charity sector
• Masters degree or equivalent experience
• Experience in promoting and marketing events
• Demonstrable experience of forecasting event revenue
• Experience of successful income generation, such as securing sponsorship and exhibitors
  and/or delivering effective account management
• Strong negotiation skills
• Practical knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro 

The role

This position is full-time. The job can be carried out remotely, or from our office in
Shoreditch, London. We are flexible about the days spent in office. The salary for the role
will fall in the following range: £28,655 – £34,165 per annum, non-negotiable.

The decision on where a candidate falls in our salary bands will be dependent on experience and
alignment with our essential and desirable skills.

How to Apply

The deadline for submitting applications is 12 noon (BST) on Thursday 8th August
2024.

To apply, please send the following documents to Ethny Childs ([email protected]):

• CV
• Cover letter evidencing how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed in the
  person specification
• Completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring form (docx). We collect this data to monitor the
  effectiveness of our advertising and recruitment strategies, ensuring they are open to all
  sections of the community. It is anonymous and only used for this purpose.
• If you need our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form in a different format that is more
  accessible to you, or you need any other adjustments in the application process, please let us
  know.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Hiring Manager for this role,
Ethny Childs, on [email protected]. Alternatively, you
can call the IES office on +44 (0)20 3862 7484. We are happy to consider any adjustments that
candidates may need during the recruitment process. If you would like to request something,
please contact Ethny Childs. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Selection process

We will get back to applicants on or after the application deadline of 8th August to confirm
receipt of application, with the aim to get back to all applicants by the 1st September on the
outcome of their application.

Interviews will take place remotely via Zoom on the weeks commencing the 19th and 26th August,
with a view to the successful candidate starting as soon as possible.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.

Why work for us?

At the IES, we know that the secret of a successful professional body is the quality of the
people behind the membership services. Our small, inclusive team work collaboratively with one
another, as well as our fantastic trustees, members and partner organisations, to fulfil our
mission of advocating for science and the environment.

Benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employer pension contribution
• Free IES membership
• Career development support with individualised professional development plans
• Inclusive and intellectually stimulating workplace

The Institution of Environmental Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. We are
committed to fostering an inclusive culture for our staff and volunteers which reflects the
diversity that exists within society, enabling us to deliver outputs that reflect the diverse
needs of our members.

In recruiting for this role, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of
your ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation,
educational background, national origin, religion and beliefs.