Head of Experience & Growth

About Oxford Talks

Oxford Talks is a media company operating at the intersection of ideas, leadership, and culture. We produce high‑profile 10–12‑minute videos showcasing "ideas worth doing". We also provide executive leadership programmes and have a rapidly growing global community of Oxford Talks Circle events. We are founder‑led and fast‑moving. Everyone here owns their domain. There is no bureaucracy between you and the work.

The Opportunity

We are hiring a Head of Experience & Growth to own the quality of every interaction people have with the Oxford Talks brand, and the pipeline of people who should be part of it. Our world spans three distinct communities:

• Circle Curators: Our global curators who organise Oxford Talks in their respective cities;
• Oxford Talks House members: Our founders and investor membership community;
• Orators: the speakers and thought leaders who take the stage with us.

Your workflow is first, make sure everyone of these people has an exceptional experience with Oxford Talks, from the moment they are invited. Second, go and find the next wave of them. Identify, approach, and convert the founders, VCs, principals, sponsors, partners, and world‑class speakers who belong in our world but do not yet know it. This role sits at the intersection of community, events, and business development. If you are energised by building relationships, opening doors, and making people feel genuinely looked after, all at the same time, this role was built for you.

What You Will Own

• Identifying and approaching potential Circle Curators, Oxford Talks House members, and Orators, building a consistent pipeline of the right people.
• Outreach to potential sponsors, commercial partners, and institutional collaborators, opening conversations that turn into long‑term relationships.
• Building and managing a speaker and/or orator pipeline, sourcing world‑class thinkers and leaders to feature in Oxford Talks productions and events.
• Qualifying leads, managing initial conversations, and handing warm opportunities to the CEO at the right moment.
• Representing Oxford Talks at external events, networks, and forums to build visibility and generate inbound interest.
• Maintaining a CRM of all active leads, prospects, and partnership conversations so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Day‑to‑day management of the Oxford Talks Circle membership, onboarding, communications, engagement, and retention.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Circle Curators, understanding their interests, needs, and expectations.
• Developing initiatives that deepen member engagement and grow the Circle towards our target of 500 active Circle Curators.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for Circle members and managing their experience at every stage.
• Managing the experience of Oxford Talks House members, founders, VCs, and principals, ensuring their membership feels premium, personal, and valuable at every interaction.
• Overseeing onboarding, ongoing engagement, and event experience for House members.
• Anticipating the needs of high‑profile members and handling them with discretion and professionalism.
• Building lasting relationships that make Oxford Talks House the most sought‑after founders and investor community in the country.
• End‑to‑end delivery of Oxford Talks events, from initial planning and venue sourcing through to on‑day execution and post‑event follow‑up.
• Being present and visible at every event; you are the face of Oxford Talks on the ground.
• Travelling to events across London, Oxford and the US as required.
• Ensuring the experience at every event is consistent with the premium positioning of the Oxford Talks brand.
• Managing relationships with speakers, sponsors, venue partners, and institutional stakeholders, anticipating needs before they become problems.
• Coordinating speaker briefings, logistics, and hospitality for every event and production.
• Building and maintaining a stakeholder CRM so no relationship goes cold, and no commitment is missed.

What We Are Looking For

• Full, valid UK driving licence. You will be required to travel to and between event locations independently.
• Proven experience in business development, lead generation, or community growth; you know how to open doors and keep them open.
• Demonstrable experience managing premium or high‑touch in‑person events; you have owned the room and the result.
• A natural relationship builder, you remember names, you follow up without being chased, and people feel genuinely looked after in your presence.
• Experience working with or managing relationships with high‑profile individuals, founders, investors, executives, or public figures, with the discretion and professionalism required.
• Strong commercial instincts; you understand what a good opportunity looks like and how to move it forward.
• Strong operational instincts; you build systems and processes, you do not simply react to problems.
• The ability to hold a large number of relationships and conversations simultaneously without anything slipping.
• Calm, professional, and solutions‑focused under pressure; on event days, you solve problems quietly so guests never feel them.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally, including to Oxford and the US.
• Experience managing a membership community, founders network, or investor club.
• Background in luxury events, high‑end hospitality, or premium client services.
• Existing network within the founder, investor, or professional speaker ecosystem in the UK.
• Familiarity with CRM or community management platforms.
• Experience working in an intellectual, cultural, or thought‑leadership environment.

What This Role Is Not

This is not a reactive, inbound‑only role. You will be proactively building a pipeline, reaching out to the right people, and making Oxford Talks impossible to ignore. If you prefer to wait for opportunities to come to you, this is not the right fit.

The Package

£45,000 – £55,000 per annum, based on experience. Performance‑based bonus scheme. Early employee equity. Gym membership included. Tennis and squash membership. Travel expenses covered for all locations and event work. Additional benefits discussed at the offer stage. Three‑month probationary period.

Oxford Talks is an equal opportunity employer.