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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and execution of impactful events on global affairs.
- Company: Join the Royal Institute of International Affairs, a leading policy institute in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy 37 days annual leave, flexible working, and a stimulating work environment.
- Why this job: Shape high-profile events that influence international relations and engage key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in international affairs, events, or communications is essential.
- Other info: This hybrid role requires onsite work at least 3 days a week.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Strategic Planning Manager, Events role at Chatham House
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Join to apply for the Strategic Planning Manager, Events role at Chatham House
The Royal Institute of International Affairs is an independent policy institute based in London. Our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world through improvement in international relations.
The Strategic Planning Manager, Events is a newly created role and will serve as a key and influential member of the Chatham House Events team. This role goes beyond pure content and logistics: it requires editorial judgement, political sensitivity, and strategic insight. The postholder will support the Head of Events in ensuring that every event—whether a private roundtable or a large-scale public convening—advances Chatham House’s institutional mission, reflects the complexity of global affairs, and engages key stakeholders with clarity and impact.
This role is focused on the big picture—why events are being held, for whom, and to what strategic effect. The postholder will help shape and deliver a curated portfolio of events that harnesses Chatham House’s world-class research, responds to global trends, and capitalises on policy windows of opportunity, while also contributing to fundraising and stakeholder engagement objectives.
Acting as a bridge between research programmes and the centralised events function, the postholder will ensure that the institute’s convening power is used to maximum strategic effect. This role will work closely with the Head of Events, Head of News and Comment, and the Director’s Office, often representing the Events team, drawing on knowledge of institutional strategy and research priorities, at the Chatham House Events Committee.
Working with senior leadership, programme directors and communications colleagues, the postholder will lead the Events team’s strategic planning: shaping content that resonates with target audiences, attracts influential speakers, and reinforces Chatham House’s reputation for trusted, high-quality convening. They will be expected to challenge, refine and sense-check proposed formats and framing, with particular attention to political sensitivities, audience appropriateness, and reputational risk. The role spans a wide range of event formats – from high-level private strategy sessions and philanthropic dinners to major public conferences and international convenings.
We are an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at
Principal Responsibilities
Strategy and Delivery
Strategic Integration
- Work with the Head of Events to shape a forward-looking events strategy, which boosts advocacy across key stakeholder groups including key funders.
- Collaborate with research programme directors and the Events team to develop an events programme which integrates Chatham House’s strategic and research priorities with timely, topical events at the forefront of public and commercial interest.
- Identify opportunities to convene on pressing international issues, using insights from research teams to shape the agenda and speaker selection.
- Ensure event content upholds Chatham House’s principles of independence, impartiality and editorial quality.
- Help position Chatham House as the go to think tank for convening events on global affairs.
Content Development and Programme Design
- Act as lead editorial voice for events, ensuring quality, clarity.
- Develop event titles and descriptions that are compelling, clear, and reflective of conducive to lively event discussions.
- Curate timely, relevant and policy-relevant event themes and formats across public, private and hybrid platforms.
- Work across research programmes and operations to align event planning with the release of major research outputs and fundraising goals and campaigns.
Event Delivery Across Formats
- Lead the planning and execution of high-stakes, high-profile convenings.
- Plan and deliver a diverse range of events, including: Thematic public or closed conferences; International events and collaborations with partner organisations.
- Adapt content formats to suit audiences, venues and strategic goals, ensuring events are engaging, inclusive and well-executed.
- Invitation-only, high-profile roundtables and dinners with policymakers, diplomats and senior stakeholders.
People
- Serve as a key liaison between the Events team and research teams, ensuring regular coordination and knowledge-sharing.
- Represent the Events team in high-level planning conversations, including at the Chatham House Events Committee, contributing to institutional event strategy.
- Support the Head of Events in liaising with the CEO and other senior leadership on event priorities and opportunities.
- Support the Head of, Production and Content leads with team development by acting as a source of guidance and editorial input for team members developing content for events.
- Support cross-team development of flagship and collaborative events, working closely with Communications and Fundraising teams.
- Work with colleagues in the Events and CRM teams to track and evaluate the performance of research-linked events, utilizing gathered audience data and feedback to refine future programming.
- Contribute to team meetings, strategic planning processes, and internal best practice sharing.
- Contribute to improving systems for cross-institutional planning, impact tracking and post-event follow-up.
- Actively contribute to the delivery of the Chatham House EDI strategy.
Personal Specification
Essential:
- Substantial experience in international affairs, policy, events, journalism, or research communications.
- Strong ability to turn complex research and policy content into impactful events.
- Experience developing and delivering event content for diverse formats and audiences, from intimate private meetings to large public conferences.
- Excellent editorial judgement and writing skills, particularly in developing titles, descriptions, and formats.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience working with senior leadership and external partners.
- Well-organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
Desirable:
- Experience running events in a think tank, policy institute of government.
- Knowledge of international policy and global affairs.
- Experience working in matrixed or cross-departmental environments.
- Line management experience.
Benefits
Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.
Salary: £50,000 per year.
Contract: Full-time, Permanent.
Location: St James\’s Square, London. This is a hybrid role based in our London office. The successful candidate will be expected to work onsite at least 3 days per week , with flexibility to increase this during key event periods.
Closing Date: Wednesday 6 August 2025, 23:59 BST.
Please avoid using AI for your application. We want to hear from you! We can tell the difference between a genuine answer and an AI-generated one. Using AI will run the risk of your application being disqualified.
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Strategic Planning Manager, Events employer: Chatham House
Contact Detail:
Chatham House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Planning Manager, Events
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chatham House's mission and recent events. Understanding their strategic goals and the types of events they host will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in international affairs and event management. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to meet potential colleagues and stakeholders, which can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your editorial judgement and political sensitivity in detail. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex topics or stakeholder dynamics in event planning.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to engage diverse audiences. Be ready to share specific strategies you've used to tailor content for different formats and demographics, as this is crucial for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Planning Manager, Events
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Strategic Planning Manager, Events position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the key aspects of the role, such as strategic insight and editorial judgement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only express your enthusiasm for the role but also demonstrate your understanding of Chatham House’s mission. Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to develop impactful events and engage stakeholders effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your substantial experience in international affairs, policy, or event management. Be sure to include specific achievements that illustrate your skills in developing event content and managing diverse formats, as well as any experience working with senior leadership.
Showcase Your Editorial Skills: Given the importance of editorial judgement in this role, include examples of your writing skills in your application. Whether it’s developing event titles, descriptions, or other content, demonstrate how your writing has contributed to successful events in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chatham House
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp Chatham House's mission and how the role of Strategic Planning Manager, Events aligns with it. Be prepared to discuss how your experience can contribute to building a sustainably secure and prosperous world through impactful events.
✨Showcase Your Editorial Judgement
Given the importance of editorial judgement in this role, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully developed event content that resonates with diverse audiences. Highlight any experiences where you had to navigate political sensitivities or complex topics.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
This position requires strong collaboration with various stakeholders. Be ready to share specific instances where you've effectively engaged with senior leadership or external partners to achieve strategic goals, particularly in an events context.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle high-stakes events. Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role and how you would approach them, especially regarding audience engagement and adapting content formats to suit different contexts.
