The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a maternity cover Events Manager (Academic) to join the Communications and Marketing department to devise and deliver the year-round programme of academic and specialist audience events.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Events Manager (Academic) will be responsible for the management and delivery of the British Academy’s year-round academic events programmes (Conferences, Lectures, Public Engagement and Prizes & Medals).

The role holder will work closely with the Head of Events on the planning and strategic development of the programme, overseeing the annual call for proposals for conferences and public engagement grants, the biennial selection process for lectures and the nomination and selection process of prizes and medals.

The Events Manager (Academic) will manage academic partners at institutions across the UK, and lead on the organisation and successful delivery of events online and in-person (in London and at partner venues across the UK).

You will be someone who thrives on delivering live events aimed at academic or specialist audiences, have a passion for sharing academic research and have the skills to ensure events are delivered effectively and of the highest quality.

You will have experience in managing and developing people, whether directly managing staff or leading on a task or dotted line basis. A core part of this role is working in partnership with teams across the organisation, and so we are looking for someone who is collegiate, flexible and understands how to build positive working relationships across a diverse range of skillsets and experiences.

You will be joining at a time of exciting change, with the recent completion of three brand-new state-of-the-art events spaces at our home on Carlton House Terrace. You will play an important role in contributing to the ongoing programme for this new development

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead and manage the planning and delivery of conferences, lectures and programmes.

•  Be the key contact to liaise between the Vice President for Publications and Conferences and the Head of Publishing and the Research Awards department.

• Work closely with the Academy’s Fellowship to oversee and deliver the biennial process of selecting speakers to deliver British Academy Lectures.

• Lead and manage the planning and delivery of the British Academy’s Public Engagement programme SHAPE, Involve & Engage.

• Work closely with the Academy’s Fellowship to oversee the annual nomination and selection process of British Academy Prizes & Medals, delivering associated events

• Lead on the organisation and management of these programmes, ensuring events are delivered on time and within approved budgets. This includes booking facilities, managing guestlists for invitation-only occasions, liaising with speakers, chairs and partners, and liaising with internal Academy departments and external suppliers and freelancers to ensure that all programme activities are delivered to the highest standard.

• Evaluate the success of each event in consultation with contributors and audiences to inform further programming and ensure the ongoing quality of the programme.

 2. Financial / partnership management

• Draw up, monitor and revise programme budgets with the Head of Events and work closely with the Finance department, producing accurate and up-to-date forecasts as necessary.

• Manage existing partnerships - and develop new ones - with a range of organisations whose work complements that of the Academy. This includes working in partnership with universities across the UK for British Academy Lectures but also exploring possible co-funding partnerships with the Academy’s Development team.

3. Support and manage the delivery of events for general and specialist audiences

• Support teams across the Academy in the planning and delivery of events targeted at specialist audiences, such as Policy launches and Public Affairs events, where required.

• Support the wider Events team through the planning and delivery of areas of the public programme where required.

4. Audiences

• Work with Communications colleagues to identify and target key audiences for each event in line with the Academy’s strategic goals and ensure that digital recordings are produced and shared.

• Identify opportunities to grow and diversify audiences attending events through programming, partnerships and marketing opportunities.

• Manage stakeholder relationships, working closely with colleagues across the Academy to stage successful post-event networking receptions involving British Academy Fellows, funded researchers and early career researchers.

• Ensure the programme promotes the highest standards of access and inclusion.

• Support the development and delivery of the Communications and Marketing Strategy and associated sub-strategies and the programme’s evaluation framework.

5. General

• Manage the work of direct reports providing clear direction and delegation, resolving issues, supporting their professional development, and holding annual appraisals

• Attend and present at relevant Committee meetings when required.

• Provide support to colleagues across the organisation who organise events, offering practical advice and guidance where necessary.

• Support the Head of Events across the full range of their responsibilities as directed, including deputising whenever necessary.

• Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be requested to support the work of the Communications and Marketing department.

This post requires regular attendance at in-person events which entail working outside normal working hours, particularly evenings and possibly weekends, as well as delivering and attending events held outside London.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal: Communications, Development; Research Awards; Policy; Venue Sales & Marketing and IT (AV).

External: Event partners such as universities, arts and cultural organisations.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

None

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally.

• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way.

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate.

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts.

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect.

• Communicates effectively with staff across departments and with Fellows and funded researchers.

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Good knowledge and understanding of the UK’s Higher Education and Research environment and the key challenges it faces.

• Good knowledge and understanding of academic audiences.

• Good knowledge and proven experience in delivering online and hybrid events and the technology needed to do so.

• Knows how to forge and maintain successful partnerships with external organisations.

• Is receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate.

• Makes suggestions for improving the way things are done.

• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop and is quick in picking up new tasks.

• Shares knowledge and skills with others.

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Manages own time and resources effectively and that of the Events Team to achieve own, team and organisational objectives.

• Takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate.

• Displays resilience in coping with workload

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input.

• Evaluates and manages risks effectively.

• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Ability to multi-task and prioritise competing tasks to meet deadlines.

• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead, referring to the appropriate level where necessary.

• Has a pro-active, can-do attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues.

• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure.

• Copes with the unexpected.

• Handles difficult situations calmly, with sensitivity and respect.

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Skilled at providing appropriate challenge, support and development to direct reports.

• Ability to delegate tasks and provide an appropriate level of oversight and support to team members.

• Can think outside direct area of expertise and ownership to contribute to the wider strategic aims of the organisation.

• Confidence to deputise for the Head of Events from time to time

OTHER

• Prepared to work out of hours at events when needed.

• Willing to travel to events delivered outside of London, requiring overnight stays in some instances.

• Presence on site at Carlton House Terrace for events, team building and other activities.

• From time to time, may need to be available at short notice in person.

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

The deadline for applications is noon on 3 March 2025, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 17/18 March 2025 but this may be subject to change.