At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting events that engage and inspire Museum Members and supporters.
- Company: Join a world-class science centre dedicated to tackling global challenges and inspiring millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like free museum access, staff discounts, and a hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that values diversity and creates impactful experiences.
- Qualifications: Previous experience in event management and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for personal development await you.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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 900 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
The Senior Special Events Officer will deliver an expanding annual programme of events which support the delivery of the Museum’s objectives, chiefly in engaging and stewarding Museum Members but also other Museum relationships. This role will be primarily responsible for devising and delivering an engaging membership and supporters event programme including talks, lectures and family activity both on site and online. It will also support the wider Special Events team with other event activity as required. Alongside creative content design that brings the work of the Museum to life for our supporters, the role will involve managing the planning, delivery, communication and follow-up of events, as well as the development of new products. This includes data and marketing activity. The successful candidate will be required to manage budgets, look at ROI, and evaluate the success of activity. They will liaise with external experts and internal colleagues and be responsible for ensuring excellent event delivery.
About you
The role requires a highly organised individual with excellent communication and project management skills. A motivated self-starter, who has a natural flair for event management with the ability to work on several projects simultaneously whilst remaining calm under pressure. They must thrive working in a fast-paced, exciting environment, with a resilient attitude during occasional periods of back-to-back event delivery. You will have worked in an events or programme delivery role previously. You will have a proactive and flexible approach and just love delivering great event experiences. 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.
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.
What we offer
- 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.
- 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.
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. 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.
Senior Special Events Officer employer: Natural History Museum
Contact Detail:
Natural History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Special Events Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Museum's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and environmental advocacy will help you align your approach and demonstrate your passion for their objectives during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Museum. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your event management experience by preparing specific examples of successful events you've organised. Be ready to discuss how you handled challenges and ensured excellent delivery, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in event management and engagement strategies. Being knowledgeable about innovative approaches can set you apart and demonstrate your proactive attitude towards enhancing the Museum's event offerings.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Special Events Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Special Events Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in event management and communication.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the Museum's mission and your understanding of diversity and inclusion. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in managing events and engaging with diverse audiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on previous roles related to event management or programme delivery. Include quantifiable achievements, such as successful events you’ve organised, budget management, and any positive feedback received from attendees.
Double-Check Your Application: Before submitting, review your application for any errors or missing information. Ensure that all sections are filled out accurately, especially since the recruitment process involves anonymised shortlisting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural History Museum
✨Show Your Passion for Events
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for event management during the interview. Share specific examples of past events you've organised and how they aligned with the mission of the organisation, particularly in engaging diverse audiences.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Highlight your project management abilities by discussing how you prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Be prepared to provide examples of how you've successfully delivered events under tight deadlines.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since the role requires liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Tailor your communication style to different audiences, showcasing your adaptability and confidence in speaking about the Museum's work.
✨Emphasise Your Flexibility
The role demands a proactive and flexible approach. Be ready to discuss how you've adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles, especially during busy periods or unexpected challenges in event delivery.