Events Manager in London

The John Locke Institute (JLI) seeks an Events Manager to plan and deliver JLI’s residential programmes and international events including Summer Schools, Academic Programmes, Alumni Events, Seminars and Global Essay Prize Awards ceremony. Working closely with Admissions and Marketing, the Events Manager is responsible for all aspects of delivery from venue contracts and logistics through to the last student’s departure.

This is an operational role; during residential programmes you will live on site, lead the delivery team and deal personally with whatever the day brings, ensuring seamless delivery of a world-class participant experience. This position requires exceptional organisational and communication skills, a global mindset, and the ability to work across multiple time zones and teams.

JLI is a small, founder-led organisation of around 15–20 people. This is not a role for someone who needs a large team to be effective. Ideological compatibility with JLI's classical liberal positioning is preferred for this role.

The role is demanding and hands-on. The residential programmes primarily take place in universities and schools. Accommodation is therefore in halls of residence or boarding houses with shared facilities and institutional catering. You will live on site alongside students and staff for the duration of each one. Many participants are under 18; their safety and welfare are paramount, and safeguarding is a critical part of the job. Programmes run mainly over the summer months, before Christmas, over New Year and Easter, and time-off during this period is restricted. The ideal candidate will take satisfaction in events running smoothly because of their own effort; the role will not suit anyone seeking a conventional working pattern or a front-of-house events role.

● Plan and deliver JLI’s residential programmes and events, including summer schools, academic seminars, the Global Essay Prize awards, and new events such as the unDebating Championship and Economics Olympiad.

● Source, evaluate and negotiate with universities, accommodation providers and suppliers worldwide, securing sound terms and value for money.

● Coordinate travel, accommodation, catering, transport and excursions for students, faculty, speakers and staff.

● Prepare programme schedules, staff briefings, risk assessments and contingency plans.

● Manage registration systems, event apps and participant records, including enrolment, logistics and administrative data, keeping them accurate and complete.

● Lead on-site operations at each programme from first arrival to final departure.

● Act as the principal point of contact for students, faculty, parents, university partners and suppliers during programmes.

● Resolve problems quickly and calmly at any hour, and escalate where appropriate.

● Look after faculty, speakers and guests so that they can concentrate on teaching.

● Implement JLI’s safeguarding and welfare policies on every programme and ensure that all staff understand and follow them.

● Ensure that supervision ratios, curfews, sign-in and sign-out procedures, medical and dietary information, and emergency protocols are in place and observed.

● Respond promptly to welfare incidents, medical emergencies and safeguarding concerns; record them accurately and report them to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

● Communicate with parents where required, with discretion and clarity.

● Determine staffing requirements (interns and preceptors) for each programme; recruit, onboard, train and brief residential staff and interns.

● Manage rotas, supervise staff on site and hold them to a high standard of conduct.

● Manage programme budgets, track expenditure and key performance metrics for each event.

● Maintain accurate records of contracts, supplier arrangements and costs.

● Produce concise post-programme reports covering costs, attendance, incidents and participant feedback, with specific recommendations.

● Partner with the Marketing team to ensure all event communications (pre-event promotions, participant emails, on-site materials) are accurate, on-brand and timely.

● Work closely with the Admissions team to align event planning with registration goals and participant experience.

● Collaborate with the Academic team to coordinate programme content, faculty needs and scheduling.

● Support the Social Media team by providing timely high-quality imagery and content.

Programme periods - Summer months, pre-Christmas, New Year and Easter. Full availability throughout is required, although attendance will be split between other members of the Events’ department.
Hours - Regular office hours outside programmes. During programmes, long and irregular hours, seven days a week, including overnight on-call duty.
Accommodation - On site in university or school accommodation during programmes, arranged by JLI.
Travel - Extended international travel, currently including (but not limited to) the US, the Middle East and Asia. A valid passport is required.

JLI is committed to safeguarding the welfare of the young people in its care and expects all staff to share that commitment. This role involves regulated activity with children. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check with barred list check, satisfactory references and, where applicable, equivalent background checks for programmes outside the UK.

● At least three years’ experience delivering international residential, educational or large-scale events, including on-site leadership.

● A record of running complex operations under pressure with limited support.

● A track record of running several events concurrently.

● Experience of working with young people and a working understanding of safeguarding.

● Proven ability to negotiate with suppliers and manage budgets.

● Demonstrable experience recruiting, training and managing temporary or seasonal teams.

● Proficiency in Excel, Google Workspace, project management software, registration and booking systems and event apps.

● Full availability during all programme periods and willingness to travel internationally for extended periods.

● Commitment to upholding JLI’s ethos of free inquiry, open debate and merit.

● Formal safeguarding training at Designated Safeguarding Lead level or equivalent.

● Current first aid qualification.

● Highly organised and detail-oriented, with exceptional time management skills.

● Proactive and calm under pressure; able to make clear decisions in fast-paced environments.

● Excellent negotiator and relationship builder.

● Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities — capable of motivating and managing diverse teams.

● Culturally aware and adaptable, comfortable working in international settings.

● Resilient over long, demanding periods.

● CV submission
● Video Q&A
● Short introductory interview
● Two full interviews plus written task