Head of Events in London

Location: Oxford Street (Hybrid Working)

Contract: 6-month contract

Working Pattern: Full-time, Monday to Friday

Office Attendance: 3 days per week in the office

Rate: £550 - £650 per day via Umbrella

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced events leader to join the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) as Interim Head of Events & Filming. Oxford Street is entering a transformative period, creating new opportunities to deliver world-class events, brand activations, cultural programming and filming activity across one of the world's most recognised retail and visitor destinations. This role will play a pivotal part in ensuring these opportunities are delivered safely, successfully and to the highest standards.

Working across a broad network of public and private sector stakeholders, you will lead the operational planning and management of events and filming activity, helping to bring ambitious projects to life while balancing the needs of businesses, visitors, residents and partners.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you will take overall responsibility for the events and filming function, providing strategic direction and operational oversight across a varied programme of activity. You will evaluate and manage event proposals, oversee permissions and governance processes, maintain robust safety and operational standards, and build effective relationships with key stakeholders. You will also ensure that events and filming activities contribute positively to the vision and objectives of Oxford Street's ongoing development.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring excellent stakeholder management skills, strong commercial awareness and extensive experience delivering complex events within high-profile public environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage OSDC's events and filming programme.
• Oversee the planning, assessment and delivery of events, activations and filming activity.
• Manage event approvals, permissions and governance processes.
• Ensure appropriate event safety, security, crowd management and contingency planning measures are in place.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, emergency services, transport providers, businesses and event organisers.
• Manage external suppliers, production partners and specialist contractors.
• Monitor budgets, risks and programme performance.
• Drive continuous improvement through the development of policies, processes and best practice.
• Ensure events are inclusive, accessible and aligned with stakeholder expectations.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience leading large-scale events within complex public realm, destination or city-centre environments.
• Strong knowledge of event operations, health and safety, crowd management and security planning.
• Experience working closely with local authorities, emergency services and regulatory bodies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts and external suppliers.
• An appropriate health and safety qualification such as IOSH or equivalent.

Experience within retail destinations, large-scale public events, place-making initiatives or filming operations would be advantageous.