• Duration: Fixed Term – 12 months (Parental Leave cover)

• Salary: Circa £65,000 per annum

• Job Level: 2

• Hours: 35 hours per week. Other flexible hours will be considered.

• Disclosure Level: Basic. This role involves no direct or indirect work with children.

• Reports to: Director of Philanthropic Partnerships.

• Location: Mostly working from home and at 1 Westfield Avenue, London E20 1HZ.

At the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), we pull together to achieve the best possible results for children in danger around the world.  We believe in an inclusive workplace and in the power of fulfilled colleagues who share the same values and goals, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children. 

Our work is guided by the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which recognise the universality of children’s rights.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Working within the Partnerships and Philanthropy Directorate, the Events & Experiences Team is responsible for delivering high-value prospecting, stewardship and fundraising events, plus partnership events and cross-organisational campaigns for diverse audiences.

This ambitious team currently consists of a Head of Events and Experiences, one Team Lead, one Manager and two Executives. The team is looking to grow and develop across all its activities with new and innovative ideas that enable the organisation to broaden and deepen its existing relationships, whilst developing new opportunities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The post holder will provide leadership for the Events and Experiences team and play an active role in the Senior Leadership Team within the Partnership and Philanthropy Directorate. The role has responsibility for the development, delivery, and performance of a broad programme of in-person touchpoints. In line with a new ambitious strategy, the post requires a creative, strategic thinker who can drive both income and engagement with our cause. The purpose of these events is now multi-faceted, delivering against income, thought leadership, brand awareness, stewardship, pipeline building and innovation objectives.

What we will expect you to achieve

Strategy, Finance & Innovation

• Develop and deliver a long-term sustainable strategy for in-person moments focused on driving engagement, maximising income and delivering against varied KPIs.

• Review and critically analyse all existing event activity and make recommendations for the development of future event activity.

• Financial planning; setting and phasing income targets and expenditure budgets, reporting back monthly on management accounts and through quarterly forecasting.

• Set team objectives and KPIs, managing risk, tracking progress against strategy.

• Critically evaluate each event with the budget holders, implementing ongoing development.

• Participate in and steer Executive level project boards for new event initiatives. 

• As a member of the Partnerships and Philanthropy Senior Leadership Team, represent Events and Engagement and contribute to the overall strategic planning and unlocking opportunities to deliver the best outcomes.

Fundraising, Stewardship & Cultivation:

• Research and analyse the events marketplace in order to make ongoing recommendations for the ongoing innovation and development of the events programme.

• Share skills, best practice and experiences of events fundraising, donor stewardship, and cultivation demonstrating the ability to network, negotiate and influence at the highest levels.

• Provide expertise across teams to ensure the maximisation of all supporters for the wider benefit of the charity.

• Lead the team to deliver a large fundraising event, planned for November 2024.

• Lead the team to deliver a programme of stewardship and cultivation events.

• Lead the team to maximise partnership opportunities with third party events.

• Maximise the opportunity to raise the profile of the charity, and to work with PR, Brand, Media, and Celebrity/Ambassador teams to raise awareness of UNICEF UK.

• Scope, plan, project manage and evaluate all events, working across teams to ensure resource is built into schedules to undertake this work.

  Leadership and relationship management:

• Manage, motivate, and develop the team to ensure the successful delivery of a cost-effective events programme, a strong cultivation programme and exceptional support to high value groups.

• Act as strategic lead in the management of high value fundraising groups and committees.

• Work collaboratively as a member of the SLT to support the Director and other colleagues for the benefit of the wider directorate.

Other

• To deputise where agreed for the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships.

• Demonstrate and model a commitment to our shared values, behaviours and inclusive practices (known as Our Shared Commitment) in all aspects of your work.

BEHAVIOURS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

This section contains the essential behaviours, experience, knowledge and skills needed in order to be effective and successful in this role. All criteria in this section are essential.

Effective behaviours

Supporter driven and mission aligned

• Is committed to children and their rights and motivated to work towards achieving a world that is fit for every child. 

• Develops effective relationships with target supporter groups enhancing their knowledge and involvement of UNICEF’s work.

Decision making

• Makes decisions with agreed parameters and is accountable for own actions. Takes time to consult with relevant stakeholders before making and communicating clear decisions and the reasons for them.

Communication

• Communicates effectively with colleagues and senior individuals to relay key messages accurately, manage expectations and push back where appropriate.

• Presents information clearly and confidently to a high standard.

Efficiency and effectiveness

• Manages conflicting priorities to ensure that objectives are achieved and deadlines met.

• Systematically plans projects to maximise performance and cost-effectiveness.

• Anticipates risks and puts plans in place to minimise their impact.

Relevant experience

• Experience of leading a team and supporting the delivery and development of events and experiences.

• Producing a range of relevant communications to a broad range of audiences.

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment managing conflicting priorities to meet deadlines and multi- task and prioritise effectively during busy periods.

• A keen understanding of stewardship and supporter/ partnership engagement.

Specific knowledge and skills

• Experience of leading and developing teams to deliver an exceptional experience to internal and external partners within a demanding programme of activity.

• Extensive experience of successfully developing, innovating and managing an events and experiences portfolio.

• Extensive experience delivering fundraising events, high-level cultivation and stewardship events against varied KPIs that include brand awareness and thought leadership.

• Ability to produce and communicate strategy, annual plans and budgets alongside monitoring and reporting on performance against agreed KPIs.

• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship-building abilities to work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and donors and act as an ambassador for the wider fundraising team internally and externally.

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the market and the governance, legislation and best practice affecting events and cultivation.