Events and Operations Assistant 

Start date: As soon as possible 

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 18 May 2026  

Contract: Full-time 

Location: 2 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 4DF  

Apply by 11:59pm, Sunday 10 May 2026.   

About IFS    

The Institute for Fiscal Studies is the UK’s leading independent economics research institute and an award-winning ‘think tank’. We are independent of political influence and have a strong reputation for producing high-quality, far-reaching and policy-relevant analysis and commentary. We are recognised as a global centre of academic excellence.  

Our goal at IFS is to promote well-designed and effective economic and social policies. We do this by conducting research that helps us better understand how such policies affect individuals, families, businesses and the government's finances. Our research not only has an impact on policymakers, think tanks and practitioners, it has also gained a worldwide reputation for academic rigour.   

We communicate our research widely, providing independent advice and evidence to policymakers; collaborating with renowned academics on new economic theories and techniques; and disseminating our findings through the press, media, social media and online. Our remit and expertise are wide, covering important topics such as education, health, the public finances, retirement, consumer behaviour, the environment, development, tax, benefits, wealth, inequality and poverty.  

Purpose of the role    

The Institute for Fiscal Studies is a busier place than ever. We host a growing programme of seminars, academic workshops, conferences and training courses, and our new offices see a steady flow of visiting researchers, speakers and collaborators. This role has been created to make sure we can manage that growth well, by keeping our events running to a high standard and our office in great shape for everyone who works in or visits the building. 

We are looking for a well-organised and enthusiastic individual to join our small but high-performing and professional communications team as an Events and Operations Assistant. Reporting to the Events and Communications Manager, the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time supporting our busy events and seminars programme: booking rooms, liaising with speakers, welcoming visitors and making sure everything runs smoothly on the day. Alongside this, they will help keep our office and meeting spaces well maintained and provide a welcoming experience for the researchers, academics and other visitors who come to work at IFS. 

What we are looking for 

The successful candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to be a key player in an organisation that makes a real difference to people’s lives through impartial, rigorous analysis of policy and insight.  

We are looking for someone who: 

• Is highly organised and enjoys juggling a varied workload, moving between tasks like setting up a seminar room, chasing a catering order and updating a guest list in the same morning 

• Is practical, reliable and takes pride in getting the details right 

• Is warm and professional when dealing with people, whether greeting a visiting academic, liaising with a building contractor or checking in with a colleague about a room booking 

• Stays calm and adaptable on busy event days when plans can change at short notice 

• Is happy in a hands-on, operational role and motivated by keeping things running well 

• Is keen to learn and grow, with an interest in developing their skills in events and operations 

• Has an interest in working in a research or not-for-profit environment 

Alongside the events and operations teams and others at IFS, you will champion a positive and collaborative approach and feel excited to be part of a team that strives to place high-quality evidence and research at the heart of everything we do. 

What you can expect from us   

• A salary of £28,860 to £32,860, depending on experience 

• Training opportunities and a positive environment in which to develop your skills   

• The chance to make a real difference, helping us to promote rigorous and truly independent research that has a genuine impact on public debate and government policy  

• The support of an experienced, fun and professional communications team and a friendly, sociable and collaborative organisation   

The role involves 

• Managing the IFS seminar programme, including booking rooms, liaising with speakers, marketing seminars and processing expenses 

• Assisting the Events Coordinator with invitations, sign-ups and registration for in-house and external events 

• Ordering catering and setting up the events area, including AV equipment and refreshments, ahead of each event 

• Welcoming external delegates on the day and managing the daily welcome screen 

• Liaising with the landlord regarding event deliveries, delegate arrivals and visitor passes 

• Supporting general event administration, including preparing delegate packs and badges, editing online event information and assisting with external venue searches 

• Sending internal communications about upcoming events to staff and affiliates 

• Checking meeting rooms daily to ensure they are tidy and AV equipment is working, and assisting staff with room bookings 

• Helping to maintain the office and supporting visitor arrangements, providing cover for the Office Administrator as needed 

Our criteria for this role 

Essential 

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied and sometimes unpredictable workload, with evidence of this from previous work 

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to getting things right 

• A friendly, professional manner and confidence in dealing with a wide range of people, including senior academics, external speakers and service providers 

• A practical, proactive attitude: someone who spots what needs doing and gets on with it 

• Good written skills and the ability to communicate effectively over email 

• Competency in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel 

• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a small team 

• Willingness to carry out hands-on, physical tasks such as setting up event spaces and managing deliveries 

Highly desirable 

• Experience in events support, hospitality, office administration, front-of-house or a similar role involving logistics and people 

• Experience managing bookings, schedules or calendars 

• Familiarity with AV equipment or willingness to learn 

Occasional out-of-hours working may be required.  

The postholder will be expected to spend the majority of their contracted hours in the London office. 

IFS has an active social calendar with weekly teatimes, sports groups and after-work activities for a variety of interests.  

Interviews will be held in person at our London office.   

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.