At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and produce exciting live events from concept to delivery.
- Company: Join The Observer, a progressive journalism leader with a passion for the arts.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, private healthcare, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape impactful live experiences and grow your career in event production.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing live events and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Fixed-term 12-month contract, Monday to Friday, with the flexibility to work remotely one day a week.
Who are we? The Observer’s promise is in the name. The Observer bears witness; the best of journalism being curious minds at work. It loves the arts and ideas, both for their own sake and because they can change lives. It’s proudly progressive, but has no party allegiance. It’s open to different arguments and its editorial independence is non‑negotiable. We are building a new Observer across print, audio and digital. We’re here to build journalism that lasts. At The Observer, our aim is to be proudly progressive and independent, with no party allegiance. We take the same approach to hiring — ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We’re building a workplace that is fair, curious and forward‑thinking, where people from all walks of life are genuinely supported to develop, contribute and succeed.
What’s the job? The Observer delivers a broad mix of live experiences across the year, including editorial newsroom events, forums and a myriad of commercial events. We’re looking for a live events producer to plan, manage and deliver projects across our portfolio. This is a hands‑on production role for someone who can take ownership from concept through to delivery, working across logistics, stakeholders, suppliers, budgets and live event execution. You’ll be responsible for bringing ideas to life, ensuring events are well organised, well produced and delivered to the highest standard for both editorial and commercial partners.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the end‑to‑end production of live events, from initial brief and planning through to delivery and post‑event wrap‑up
- Produce a range of projects including editorial events, forums, bespoke brand activations, and active/challenge events
- Build and manage project plans, timelines, budgets and delivery schedules
- Coordinate venues, suppliers, freelancers, production partners and operational logistics
- Ensure our events strategy is aligned with driving Observer subscriptions growth and retention, with a clear, practical approach to hit our ambitious subscription goals
- Support venue management and wider stakeholder coordination for challenge or participation‑led events
- Act as a confident day‑to‑day contact for internal stakeholders, commercial partners and clients where needed
- Work closely with editorial, commercial and external teams to translate ideas into well‑executed live experiences
- Oversee on‑site delivery, troubleshoot in real time and ensure events run smoothly, safely and professionally
- Lead post‑event reconciliation and debriefs, capturing learnings for future projects
Who We’re Looking For: We’re looking for someone who loves bringing events to life and is ready to take real ownership of the portfolio. You will be comfortable working with Editorial teams as well as commercial partners. You may already be producing projects end‑to‑end, or you may have built strong hands‑on experience across smaller‑scale events and now be ready to step into a broader production role with more responsibility. You’ll likely bring:
- Experience producing or managing live events, experiential activations, conferences or branded experiences
- Confidence managing multiple projects at once in a fast‑moving environment
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to keep budgets, timelines and logistics on track
- Experience working with venues, suppliers, technical teams and external stakeholders
- A calm, practical approach to on‑site delivery and problem‑solving
- Strong communication skills and confidence working with internal teams and clients
- For active/challenge events, experience in route planning, venue operations and stakeholder management would be particularly valuable
Ideal Experience:
- Experience across brand activations, internal conferences and live events
- Comfortable producing projects end‑to‑end
- Confident in client‑facing delivery and account handling
- Able to work across a varied portfolio, from content‑led events to more operationally complex formats
- Experience across media, publishing, brand experience, agency or commercial events environments is helpful but not essential
- Experience with subscriptions and recurring reader revenue focused events strategies
Why join us: This is an opportunity to join The Observer at an exciting point of growth and help shape a live events offering that spans editorial and commercial. You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive team and will have the chance to work across a genuinely varied mix of projects, building standout experiences and growing your career in end‑to‑end event production.
Salary & Benefits:
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- Private healthcare
- Group income protection & life assurance
- Pension
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Interest‑free season ticket loan
- Free snacks and drinks in the newsroom
- Hybrid working (London newsroom + 1 day remote flexibility)
Our Process: We aim to run our interview process at pace and with clarity at every stage, recognising how challenging it can be to balance alongside other commitments or interviews. The number of stages will vary depending on the nature and level of the role, but we see this as a two‑way process and hope you’ll enjoy the opportunity to meet a range of potential future colleagues.
Head of Events employer: The Observer UK
The Observer is an exceptional employer that champions a fair and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to thrive in a dynamic environment focused on creativity and collaboration. With a commitment to professional growth, you will have the opportunity to lead diverse live events while enjoying generous benefits such as 30 days of holiday, private healthcare, and hybrid working arrangements from our vibrant London newsroom. Join us to be part of a progressive team dedicated to shaping impactful journalism and memorable experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Events
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past event productions. Whether it’s photos, videos, or testimonials, having tangible evidence of your work can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching The Observer's recent events and initiatives. This will not only help you understand their vision but also allow you to tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at The Observer.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Events
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Events:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for live events shine through! Share specific examples of events you've produced or managed, and explain what made them special. We want to see your love for bringing ideas to life!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the Head of Events role. Highlight your experience with editorial and commercial events, and how you can contribute to our ambitious subscription goals. We appreciate a personal touch that shows you understand our mission!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to outline your skills and experiences. We’re looking for someone who can manage multiple projects, so clarity in your application will help us see your organisational skills right away!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The Observer!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Observer UK
✨Know Your Events Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into The Observer's recent events and projects. Familiarise yourself with their style, themes, and audience engagement strategies. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed live events from start to finish. Highlight your organisational skills, budget management, and ability to coordinate with various stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Ability
Events can be unpredictable, so prepare to discuss challenges you've faced during past events and how you resolved them. Emphasise your calm approach and quick thinking, especially in high-pressure situations, as this is crucial for on-site delivery.
✨Engage with Their Values
The Observer prides itself on being progressive and independent. During the interview, connect your personal values and experiences with theirs. Discuss how you can contribute to a fair and inclusive workplace while driving subscriptions growth through innovative event strategies.
