We are recruiting for an Interim Senior Events Manager

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet. 

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation. 

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk. 

The role:

Are you an experienced event manager and programmer passionate about delivering impactful, policy-influencing events?

We're looking for a dynamic and skilled individual to manage a diverse portfolio of face-to-face and digital events that support Nesta and BIT’s missions and strategic goals. In this role, you will be responsible for planning, programming and delivering high-quality events ranging from roundtables to dinners, interactive panels and our party conferences and other external events. Your work will engage key internal and external stakeholders, drive equity, diversity, and inclusion, and enhance the overall reach and impact of our wider communications strategy.

Key responsibilities include:

• Event development, management & strategy: To oversee the end-to-end planning, programming and operational management of events, from concept to delivery, to further our strategic communication priorities. The role will also involve extensive speaker management and the development and management of strategic partnerships.

• Operational delivery: To lead on the operational aspects of event delivery, experience design, budget management, scheduling and supplier negotiations. You will also ensure all events run smoothly and inclusively, prioritising health, safety, and accessibility.

• Content development: You will develop and deliver innovative, engaging and impactful event formats, conduct content and speaker research and apply this to programming individual events, often drawing on knowledge, contacts and experience from across BIT and Nesta

• Stakeholder management:  You will develop and manage external partnerships that extend the reach and impact of our events. You will also manage relationships with various internal stakeholders, from the events team to senior leadership, ensuring alignment across all projects.

What we’re looking for:

Essential You’ll need to have:

• Extensive experience of managing a variety of event formats

• Demonstrable experience in event research, programming, speaker acquisition and liaison

• Experience of collaborating with marketing team or colleagues to reach target audiences and the desired number of event participants

• A proactive, organised, and detail-oriented approach, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple events and competing deadlines

• Commitment to ED&I and creating inclusive and accessible events

Desirable It would be great if you have:

• A background in policy events, gained from experience in government, think tanks or other related sectors

• An interest/knowledge/understanding, gained in a professional context, of the UK political landscape

• An interest/knowledge/understanding, gained in a professional context,  of at least one of health, education/early years, sustainability

• Experience of using Eventsforce, Salesforce, Canva, Google Suite, Asana, Slack, StreamYard

What we offer:

• Salary: £55,200, with a range of benefits including private medical insurance, dental cover, eyecare vouchers, and the ability to buy and sell annual leave.

• Location: Based in Blackfriars, London, with a hybrid working arrangement*

• Term: Fixed term contract 12 months 

• Reports to: Group Deputy Director of Communications

* please note that the post holder will be required to attend events and event set up that may fall outside of standard hours. Reasonable time off in lieu is given.

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit your application by 8am, Friday 31st January 2025.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results. 

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop. 

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful. 

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.   

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.