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- Tasks: Help plan and deliver the British Science Festival 2025 with a focus on logistics and event management.
- Company: Join the British Science Association, a leader in connecting people with science.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days holiday, and a competitive salary.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in event management while making a real impact in the science community.
- Qualifications: Experience in project coordination and events management is essential.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 28600 - 34424 ÂŁ per year.
Reporting to: Events & Festival Operations Manager
Responsible for: Temporary Festival Assistants
Based: Our Head Office is in London, but we have an agile working policy enabling people to work at another UK location up to 4 days per week. Requests for permanent remote working will be considered and we welcome applications from people based in other parts of the UK. Travel to Liverpool will be required in the lead‑up and during the British Science Festival 2025.
Terms: Full‑time (35 hours per week). Requests for secondments will be considered. Fixed‑term contract terminating on 19 September 2025. Preferred start date: 26 March 2025. Salary: £28,600 – £34,424 per annum (pro‑rata).
About the role: The British Science Association is looking to recruit a talented and organised Festival Operations Officer to help us plan and deliver the British Science Festival 2025. The British Science Festival is Europe’s longest‑standing science festival which connects people with researchers from across the scientific spectrum. It offers an inspiring programme of free events to the public over five days, with talks, workshops and drop‑in events which span a diverse range of subjects that encompass science in the broadest sense. It is hosted by a different university in the United Kingdom each year. The 2025 Festival will take place in Liverpool from 10‑14 September 2025 and will be co‑hosted by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the University of Liverpool (UoL).
The Festival Operations Officer will manage logistics‑related communications with Festival event organisers, working in close collaboration with all staff and partners involved in the Festival. This role is a great opportunity for anyone looking to build their event and/or project management experience by working on a fast‑moving and high‑profile project. You should be willing to develop and coordinate key administrative tasks, as well as lead on principal areas within the Festival (such as accommodation arrangements and managing the temporary Festival Assistants). The role will involve travel to Liverpool in the months leading up to the Festival. The Festival Operations Officer will be required to attend the Festival and remain on‑site in Liverpool for 2 weeks, from 3–16 September. During the event and in the days immediately before it, longer working hours can be expected (which will be reimbursed under the BSA’s TOIL policy) and you will need to undertake essential manual handling activities (such as lifting and moving items) to ensure that venues and equipment are set up as required for the Festival.
Key responsibilities:
- Act as the main logistical point of contact for Festival event organisers/speakers;
- Support the Events & Festival Operations Manager in building and managing the Festival Masterplan;
- Recruit, train, and oversee the temporary Festival Assistants;
- Lead on Festival accommodation administration;
- Oversee the integrity of Festival‑related data;
- Coordinate the administration of the events’ Risk Assessment forms;
- Collate information on speaker, audience, staff, and goods transport (including parking facilities, supplier delivery details, etc.);
- Monitor the Festival Inbox along with members of the Engagement Team;
- Attend meetings and site visits in Liverpool in the run‑up to the Festival;
- Support the Festival on‑site event management and delivery as required;
- Other duties as reasonably required by the line manager.
The successful candidate will be expected to work independently, efficiently and accurately.
Key working relationships:
- Events & Festival Operations Manager;
- Engagement Manager;
- Engagement Officer;
- Head of Festivals;
- Communications Manager.
Person Specification:
Essential criteria:
- At least six months’ experience in one or more roles that included project coordination, administration and maintaining relations with partners;
- Experience in events management;
- Experience in data management and data integrity;
- Experience in working on several projects/tasks in parallel;
- Excellent time management and prioritisation skills;
- Excellent customer service skills;
- Resilience – adaptable with the ability to remain calm and effective when working on multiple fast‑moving, high‑pressure situations;
- Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to see the bigger picture;
- Clear communication skills, including the ability to speak and write for a range of external audiences;
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office apps, Excel in particular;
- An awareness of and commitment to implementing good Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices into their work.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience of working on festivals;
- Experience in line‑managing temporary staff or volunteers;
- Knowledge of best practice around accessibility at events.
Benefits:
Agile Working policy enabling you to work at home or in another UK location up to 4 days per week, if office‑based, and to vary your working hours outside our 10am‑12pm and 2pm‑4pm core hours, subject to the needs of the BSA; 27 days holiday per annum plus.
Festival Operations Officer in London employer: UK: The British Science Association
Contact Detail:
UK: The British Science Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Festival Operations Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the events industry. Attend local meetups, join online forums, or even hit up social media groups. 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 your passion for festivals! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your enthusiasm for event management and any relevant experiences you've had. Let them see that you're not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about making the festival experience amazing.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Reach out directly to the hiring manager or team via LinkedIn or email. Express your interest and ask if they’d be open to a chat about the position. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come in directly from our site. It helps us keep track of candidates and ensures you’re considered for all the exciting opportunities we have. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
We think you need these skills to ace Festival Operations Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Festival Operations Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in project coordination and events management, and show us how you can contribute to the British Science Festival 2025.
Show Off Your Skills: We want to see your excellent time management and communication skills shine through in your application. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in the past.
Be Authentic: Let your personality come through in your writing! We’re looking for someone who is adaptable and resilient, so don’t be afraid to share a bit about your journey and what drives you to work in events management.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and can consider you for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK: The British Science Association
✨Know Your Festival Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the British Science Festival's history and its significance. Familiarise yourself with past events, key speakers, and the overall mission of the British Science Association. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your project coordination and event management skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on how you managed logistics or worked under pressure during events.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
As you'll be managing temporary Festival Assistants, it's crucial to convey your ability to lead and collaborate effectively. Share instances where you've successfully trained or overseen a team, emphasising your communication skills and how you foster a positive working environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-time scenarios. Think about potential challenges that could arise during the festival, such as last-minute changes or logistical issues, and prepare to discuss how you'd handle them while maintaining calm and efficiency.
