Head of Events - Policy & Politics

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us. At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

We are seeking a Head of Events to join our Global Political Engagement team which sits as part of the Global Strategic Communications and External Affairs department. This pivotal role will lead the design, coordination and execution of high-impact events that enhance TBI’s strategic goals, amplify our policy thought leadership and strengthen our global political engagement efforts. As Head of Events, the successful candidate will oversee end-to-end delivery of events that position TBI as a leader in global political discourse and be instrumental in creating a culture of events across our policy teams. This includes developing innovative event concepts, managing logistics and ensuring high-quality experiences for attendees. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional project management skills, political acumen and a proven track record in delivering impactful, large-scale political and strategic events. Please note, it is essential you have an existing right to work in the UK to apply for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the execution of a comprehensive political events strategy including delivery of the Institute’s UK Party Conference presence, alongside a programme of UK and international events in support of TBI policy thought leadership and wider global political engagement objectives.
• Build and lead a culture of events across TBI policy teams, managing and mentoring colleagues to support the delivery of the events programme detailed above.
• Work closely with colleagues from across the Institute to ensure a cohesive and unified approach to TBI’s overarching events programme. This includes being a key internal partner in the cross-Institute delivery of the flagship Future of Britain conference as well as working with Business Development colleagues to ensure revenue raising opportunity from wider events programme is maximised.
• Oversee all aspects of event delivery, including budgeting, timelines, logistics, speaker coordination and attendee management for both in-person and virtual formats.
• In liaison with the Communications, ensure all TBI political events are designed and staged to maximise coverage by broadcast, media and press.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and excellence across all event elements, ensuring brand alignment and impactful audience experiences.
• Proactively plan for any risks that may arise during event execution and conduct thorough post-event evaluation to measure impact and refine future strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external political networks to support TBI’s mission and expand our stakeholder cohort.

Person Specification

The successful candidate for the role should be able to display the following:

• Extensive experience (7+ years) in event management, preferably within a political, governmental, or international relations context including financial management and experience of managing contractor relationships.
• A proven track record managing complex, high-profile events, delivering events on time and within budget and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of global political landscapes and the ability to engage effectively with high-level political figures and stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative with the ability to build strong working relationships internally and externally in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present and engage persuasively at all levels.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to anticipate challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating agility and resilience under pressure.

The following attributes are desirable:

• Established relationships with key players in the political and policy sphere, enhancing TBI’s external reach and influence.
• An ability to introduce fresh, strategic ideas to elevate the profile of TBI events.
• Familiarity with event management software and virtual event platforms as well as technical knowledge and understanding of sound, lighting, stage management and design.

Closing Date: 2025-02-19