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Major Events Manager
new local government network

Job Description

About the role 

We are currently looking for someone to develop and deliver our diverse programme of major events. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of these events, including: raising support from partners through sponsorship; working with internal and external stakeholders; developing themes and content and communicating with speakers and attendees. 

Immediate projects include our large and well-attended annual conference at the City of London’s Guildhall; our International Women’s Day mentoring events with EY and a range of debates, dinners and receptions throughout the year. 

The post-holder will report to NLGN’s Head of Network & Events and work closely with colleagues from across NLGN. You will be part of a small, dynamic organisation of 15 people, based in our busy and vibrant shared working space in Victoria, Central London. 

Main responsibilities

  • Lead development and delivery of innovative and engaging events that take our Community Paradigm message to, and way beyond, our current audiences.

  • Establish and grow relationships with corporate partners and sponsors that result in increased income and support for our events. 

  • Creatively shape the format and content of NLGN’s events to further increase both their appeal and utility to participants.

  • Proactively and positively manage event stakeholders, including partners, sponsors, speakers and other team members, before, during and after events. 

  • Creatively use our social media channels, sector-wide contacts and other resources to generate publicity for our events, and encourage participation in them.

  • Research and invite high-profile individuals to speak at, and participate in, events, ensuring they are fully briefed. 

  • Register attendees, and develop automated systems to do so, as well as write and manage pre- and post-event communications.

  • Ensure the smooth running of the events, including preparing resources, managing and liaising with venue staff and leading colleagues. 

  • Use feedback and follow-up to refine NLGN’s event offering. 

  • Work with our finance team to make sure that invoices are issued and paid in a timely fashion.

  • Work with our CRM database (CiviCRM) to ensure our records are accurate and up-to-date. 

  • Find and use opportunities to contribute to our wider work, including through authoring blog posts and attending outside events.

  • Collaborate closely with our thought leadership team on events including research roundtables and report launches.

  • Be an ambassador for NLGN at our events and others, supporting the delivery of NLGN’s vision and ensuring that the organisation’s profile and reputation are maintained and enhanced.

  • Undertake other reasonable duties as specified by the Head of Network & Events and the Senior Management Team. 

About NLGN

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is unique. Unlike other think tanks we directly influence both national policy and public service delivery. This is because we are rooted in the real world through our growing network of 60 local authority members and corporate partners, helping them transform the way they work. 

We have a clear and radical long-term vision of change, recently launched in our influential paper, The Community Paradigm, which seeks to revolutionise the public sector by giving communities real power over how their services are delivered. 

Person Specification

Our ideal colleague for this role will:

  • have a passion for excellence and will never settle for second best

  • be a constant source of new ideas and open to radical ideas from their colleagues

  • flourish in an environment of autonomous working and speedy decision-making and be trusted by their colleagues to make the right calls 

  • be eager to share their plans and work openly with other members of NLGN staff in a spirit of collaboration

  • understand the importance of a systematic approach and excellent record-keeping, and never be afraid to pitch in with the rest of the team

  • be optimistic, supportive and fun to work with


Knowledge

  • Understanding of how membership organisations operate. (Desirable)
  • Understanding of how local government works. (Desirable)


Skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage and build relationships with senior external stakeholders.
  • Excellent IT skills, including web, MS Office and Google Docs.
  • The ability to manage projects within a fast-paced and busy environment and to juggle competing deadlines.

Experience and qualifications

  • Extensive experience of organising and facilitating events.
  • Proven track record of building purposeful relationships with external stakeholders that has resulted in funding and support for events. 
  • Strong track record in developing event ideas with internal stakeholders ensuring cross-team buy-in and participation. 
  • Proven ability to manage own workload, manage conflicting deadlines and deliver to targets/objectives. 
  • Experience of using a relational databases (preferably CiviCRM).

Personal attributes

  • Empathy with the values of NLGN -  creativity, collaboration and self-determination - and our vision for transformed local government.
  • Positive, enthusiastic, outgoing and resilient.
  • Highly motivated and goal-orientated.
  • Ability to use own initiative and pay close attention to detail; capable of hands on problem-solving, with the ability to generate ideas and solutions. 
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends with resultant time off in lieu.

Recruitment process and timetable 

  • Wednesday 10 July - Advert published
  • Noon, Tuesday 30 July - application deadline
  • Friday 2 August - Shortlisting complete - interviewees informed
  • Week commencing approx. 12 August - Interviews (day TBC, willing to be flexible to take into account travel plans)

NLGN is strongly committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We don’t just ‘value diversity’, we think it is central to what makes for a high impact, successful organisation. We positively encourage you to apply.

If you have a disability and need any assistance applying for this role, please do not hesitate to contact Richard Nelmes using the email address/phone number on our website. 

Other details
Leave and hours: We operate a flexible policy on working hours and leave. The NLGN’s team core working hours are 10am to 4pm but around this, staff are trusted to determine their own working hours and leave consummate with the fulfilment of their job goals to the highest level of excellence. To ensure well-being, full-time NLGN staff are expected to take a minimum of 25 days leave each year and work no more than 35 hours a week.

Well-being: NLGN is committed to staff well-being. Working long and late hours is actively discouraged and all staff at NLGN are committed to creating a pleasant, friendly and supportive environment in which to work.
 
Pension: NLGN will contribute 4% to the NLGN group personal pension scheme. This benefit cannot be substituted for any other benefit.

Probation and Notice: This role is subject to a three-month probationary period and a two month notice period.

If you would like to discuss the role or recruitment process please feel free to contact Richard Nelmes, NLGN’s Head of Network and Events using the number/email address on our website.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.