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

You can find out more about the British Academy here, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Events Manager (Academic) will be responsible for the management and delivery of the British Academy’s year-round programme of academic events (Conferences, Lectures and Prizes & Medals) as well as overseeing specialist audience events (such as policy / public affairs events)

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, 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 regional partner venues).

You will be someone who thrives on delivering live events aimed at academic or specialist audiences, has a passion for sharing academic research and has 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 construction about to begin on 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

Lead and manage the planning and delivery of British Academy Conferences, Lectures and Prizes & Medals programmes.

• Lead and manage the planning and delivery of British Academy Conferences, acting as the link person to the Vice President for Publications and Conferences and the Head of Publishing and working closely with the Research Awards department.

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

• 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.

Financial / partnership management

• Draw up, monitor and revise programme budgets with the Head of Events and work closely with the Finance department financial performance, 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.

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

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

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

Audiences

• Work with Communications colleagues to identify and target key audiences for each event in line with the Academy’s strategic goals, and 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.

General

• Manage the work of two direct reports providing clear direction and delegation, resolving issues, promoting the staff’s personal initiative, and holding annual appraisals.

• Attend and present at relevant Committee meetings when required.

• Provide to support 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.

 KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• Communications, Development; Research Awards; Policy; 10-11 Venue Hire and IT (AV).

External

• Event partners such as universities, arts and cultural organisations and festivals.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Working Relationships

• 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

• 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 own time and resources effectively and that of the Events Team in order 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

• 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

• 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.

• Will be required to deputise for the Head of Events from time to time.

Other Requirements

• Will need to work out of hours at events.

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

• Will need to be present at 10-11 CHT for events, team building and other activities.

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

BRITISH ACADEMY 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.