Senior Events Manager

About the Opportunity

• Department: Student Life
• Location: London Campus
• Term: Full-time; permanent
• Salary Range: Up to £53,040 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits

The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offers flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme.

Direct Reports: Senior Events Co-ordinator(s)

Reports to: Head of Department

Start: 1st July 2026

The role

Northeastern University London is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Events Manager to lead the events function within the Student Life team. The role requires someone with a proven track record in delivering high profile, complex events. The Senior Events Manager will take operational ownership of the University’s events portfolio overseeing and supporting the delivery from conception through to post event evaluation. The post holder will set the standard for event excellence across the institution, and act as an advisor to leadership, faculty, staff and students on event best practices. The ideal candidate will have moved beyond operational event delivery into strategic leadership – with a track record of developing an events function, influencing institutional direction and building long term programmes. They need to be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity, proactivity and sound judgement are essential. Out of the box thinking is sought after and valued in this role. The Senior Events Manager will lead delivery of the University’s signature events including academic ceremonies, aspects of welcome week, faculty conferences and student led initiatives. On a regular basis the role holder collaborates across the London campus and within the global network. Given the nature of the role, flexibility in working hours including evenings and weekends is required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Events Leadership
  • Participate in the strategic planning, management, and evaluation of the University’s full events portfolio, ensuring a consistently high standard of delivery across all university-wide and campus events. In some areas, the role holder will take the lead role, and in other areas they are a supportive role.
  • Act as the primary internal consultant and subject-matter expert on event management, providing advice to senior leadership, faculty, staff and students.
  • Drive continuous improvement for the department across all events processes, identifying efficiencies and implementing best practice frameworks to raise standards year-on-year.
  • Contribute to the strategic development of the team, supporting the Head of Department with reporting, evaluation, and forward planning of the events programme.
• Event Delivery and Operations
  • Oversee end-to-end delivery of all major university events including Graduation, Convocation, Welcome Week events, faculty-led events, conferences, and network partnership events.
  • Ensure all events are delivered to the highest professional standards, managing all logistics including venue and space planning, catering, AV, staffing, supplier coordination, and on-site execution.
  • Develop and maintain detailed event planning timelines, staffing plans, and stakeholder briefings, proactively identifying and escalating risks to delivery.
  • Hold day-to-day accountability for budget management across the events portfolio, including spend tracking, supplier negotiation and post-event financial reconciliation.
  • Ensure all events are fully compliant with Health and Safety legislation, working with the Facilities team and relevant stakeholders to meet all legal obligations.
• Stakeholder and Relationship Management
  • Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, faculty, professional services teams, and the student community.
  • Manage external supplier and vendor relationships, including researching, selecting, and negotiating contracts that deliver value and quality.
  • Champion inclusive event design, ensuring all events reflect and celebrate the University’s diverse community and are aligned with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
  • Embed sustainability principles across the events portfolio, including responsible sourcing of suppliers and materials, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring procurement practices meet the University’s ethical sourcing standards.
• Team Leadership and Development
  • Foster a positive, collaborative team culture with high morale and a strong focus on student experience, working effectively with the broader Student Life and support teams.
  • Mentor and coach team members to build capability and confidence, supporting their growth within the events function and wider institution.

Person specification criteria

• Education, Qualifications and Training
  • Undergraduate degree [Desirable]
  • Professional qualification or accreditation in events management [Desirable]
• Experience
  • Progressively responsible experience in events management, including experience in a strategic leadership role with institution- or organisation-wide accountability. [Essential]
  • Experience within UK, USA and or international educational setting strongly preferred [Desirable]
  • Demonstrated experience of developing and leading an events programme at institutional or organisational level — including designing strategy, building team capability, and driving continuous improvement — not solely delivering individual events [Essential]
  • Experience managing a portfolio of complex, high-profile events from conception to post-event evaluation [Essential]
  • Experience managing stakeholder relationships at all levels, including senior leadership, external partners, and student communities [Essential]
  • Strong track record of end-to-end event logistics management including venue planning, catering, AV, staffing, and on-site execution [Essential]
  • Budget management experience and supplier negotiation [Essential]
  • Experience developing detailed planning documentation including timelines, risks, staffing plans, and post-event evaluation reports [Essential]
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Exceptional stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate confidently and diplomatically at senior leadership level [Essential]
  • Strong strategic thinking and planning capability, able to develop and lead a high-quality events calendar aligned to institutional priorities [Essential]
  • Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop team members [Essential]
  • Highly detail-oriented with exceptional organisational and time management skills [Essential]
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-pressure projects simultaneously, adapting positively to changing priorities and demands [Essential]
  • Sound knowledge of Health and Safety legislation as it applies to events [Essential]
  • Commitment to inclusive event design and knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles [Essential]
  • Understanding of sustainability best practice in events management and a commitment to ethical procurement, including supplier due diligence and environmentally responsible resourcing [Essential]
  • Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with colleagues across teams, departments, and the global network [Essential]

Application process

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary. Applications must include a covering letter and a full curriculum vitae. Interviews are expected to commence w/c 15 June 2026.

Please note this role requires a DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Position Type: Student Services

Salary Range: Up to £53,040 per annum, depending on experience

Additional Information

About the University

Northeastern University London (NU London) is a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London and is part of Northeastern University’s global campus network. Overlooking the River Thames near Tower Bridge, NU London offers academically challenging educational programmes designed to inspire innovative thinking, encourage interdisciplinary study, and provide global experiences. The bright and modern campus offers award winning, contemporary facilities for students and staff including state of the art audio visual technology in its teaching and meeting spaces. Inspired by excellence, infused with an energy of ideas and ability in motion, at NU London, being a part of our staff is to be a part of a collective of entrepreneurs and educators, builders and thinkers. NU London is growing quickly, offering opportunity and growth for our staff. Currently hosting 1,500 students, our aim is to have 4000 students by 2028/29.

Choose NU London

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, the University supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, your health and wellness are of utmost importance to us, and our offerings encompass:

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays and winter break holidays (normally 2 days between Christmas and New Year).
• Access to personalised Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plans and opportunities.
• Support with private medical insurance.
• Eye test reimbursement.
• Cycle Scheme vouchers.
• 24/7 employee assistance/ support via our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to deals and discounts for food & shopping in the local area.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to: Suzi Broadaway. They can be reached at the following: s.broadaway@northeastern.edu. However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process

Applications should be made by 00:00 on the job posting's end date (if applicable). Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary. Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae. The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note all employees of Northeastern University London are required to undergo at least a basic DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London. For staff’s own wellbeing, for part time roles, the expectation is if you have multiple roles, they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week), and for full time roles, the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles). Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.