At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver exciting special events at a world-class museum.
- Company: Join a leading science research centre with a mission to inspire and engage.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, pension scheme, and discounts at museums and cafes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational and communication skills; event management experience is a plus.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum\’s unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
This role sits within the Museum’s Development Group to support the planning and delivery of Special Event activity. Reporting to the Senior Special Events Manager you will work with them to deliver some of the 70 plus events a year that the Museum hosts including dinners, receptions, breakfast, lectures and tours. These events are used to deepen relationships with supporters, inspire more engagement with our activities and maximise income to help us achieve our ambitions as we work through to our milestone 150th anniversary in 2031.
The role will involve managing the planning, execution and follow-up of event activity including managing logistics, budgets, communications, and content for a group of events. This role also supports the wider Special Events team with other event related activity as required including administrative tasks, such as coordinating mailouts, raising invoices, liaising with suppliers, managing RSVPs and data entry.
About you
The role requires a highly organised individual with excellent communication and project management skills. A motivated self-starter, who has a natural flare for event management with the ability to prioritise and work on several projects simultaneously whilst remaining calm under pressure. You will enjoy attention to detail and organisation and thrive working in a fast-paced, exciting environment, with a resilient attitude during occasional periods of back-to-back event delivery. You will have a proactive and flexible approach and love delivering a variety of great event experiences as part of an exceptional team.
The individual will be a confident communicator, feeling able to speak to different audiences and able to adapt their tone to promote different events or areas of the Museum’s work to a wide variety of supporters. You will also be able to liaise effectively with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders, colleagues and suppliers
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What we offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 – 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit cssc.co.uk
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
Hybrid working
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
How to apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job.
Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.
Closing date: Monday 13 October 2025 at 23:59
Interviews expected: w/c Monday 27 October 2025
The Museum supports flexible working. This role operates on a hybrid model, and it requires at least 2 days of working on-site at South Kensington.
Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.
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Special Events Officer employer: National History Museum
Contact Detail:
National History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Events Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Museum's mission and values inside out. When you’re networking or chatting with potential employers, drop in how your passion aligns with their goals. It shows you’re not just another applicant; you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your application with a friendly email. A quick note expressing your enthusiasm can make you stand out. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to event management. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills. We want to see how you handle pressure and multitask like a pro!
✨Tip Number 4
Leverage social media to connect with current employees or alumni who work at the Museum. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. This insider knowledge can give you an edge and help you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Events Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for event management shine through! We want to see how much you care about creating memorable experiences and how that aligns with our mission at the Museum.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your skills and experiences that are relevant to the Special Events Officer role. We love seeing how your unique background can contribute to our diverse team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication is easy to follow and showcases your organisational skills—something we value highly in this role.
Double-Check Your Details: Before hitting that submit button, take a moment to review your application. Ensure all your information is accurate and reflects your best self. Remember, we use an automated system, so it’s crucial everything is spot on!
How to prepare for a job interview at National History Museum
✨Know Your Events
Familiarise yourself with the types of events the Museum hosts. Research past events and think about how you can contribute to their success. This shows your genuine interest and helps you speak confidently about how you can enhance their event offerings.
✨Showcase Your Organisation Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your project management and organisational skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or events simultaneously, especially under pressure. This is crucial for a role that demands attention to detail and calmness during busy periods.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice adapting your communication style to different audiences. Think about how you would promote various events to diverse supporters. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to engage with different stakeholders, as this is key to building relationships in this role.
✨Embrace Diversity and Inclusion
Understand the Museum's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment. Sharing your thoughts on the importance of diversity in event planning can set you apart as a candidate who aligns with their values.