At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and produce exciting live events from concept to delivery.
- Company: Join The Observer, a progressive media company shaping the future of journalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, private healthcare, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team creating impactful experiences in a growing environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in live events production and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Observer, London
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 in City of Westminster employer: The Observer
The Observer is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to contribute to meaningful journalism while growing their careers in event production. With generous benefits such as 30 days of holiday, private healthcare, and hybrid working options, team members are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. This role provides a unique opportunity to shape live events at a pivotal time for the organisation, ensuring that your contributions have a lasting impact on both editorial and commercial fronts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Events in City of Westminster
✨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. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with their vision. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but genuinely invested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Events in City of Westminster
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 how they made an impact. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about bringing ideas to life.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight your experience with editorial and commercial events, and how you can contribute to our ambitious subscription goals. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy to do, so why not?
How to prepare for a job interview at The Observer
✨Know Your Events Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into The Observer's recent events and projects. Familiarise yourself with their editorial style and the types of live experiences they produce. 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 discuss specific examples of events you've managed from start to finish. Highlight your organisational skills by explaining how you kept budgets, timelines, and logistics on track. Use metrics to demonstrate your success, like increased attendance or positive feedback.
✨Prepare for Real-Time Problem Solving
Since on-site delivery is crucial, think of scenarios where you had to troubleshoot during an event. Prepare to share how you handled unexpected challenges and what you learned from those experiences. This will showcase your calm and practical approach under pressure.
✨Engage with Their Mission
The Observer values a progressive and independent approach. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Share your thoughts on the role of journalism in society and how you can contribute to their mission of building journalism that lasts.
