At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Events Operations team to deliver high-profile university events and enhance student recruitment.
- Company: Join the University of Derby, a top-rated institution committed to excellence and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture, career development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Flexible working hours required, including evenings and weekends for key events.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of exciting events that shape the university's reputation and engage diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing large-scale events and leading high-performing teams.
About the University
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.
About the College/Department
The External Relations department brings together student recruitment, marketing, PR, social media, profile and reputation management, development and fundraising, alumni relations and stakeholder engagement into one dynamic, expert function. The team is responsible for telling the University’s story in the UK and internationally.
About the Events Team
Events are an integral part of the University of Derby and help to continually develop our profile and reputation, generate commercial income and offer opportunities to staff, students and external visitors to engage further with us. The Events team lead on the organisation and delivery of all high-profile University events.
About the role
The successful candidate will lead the Events Operations team, line managing at least two Events Officers. The Events Operations team has responsibility for the strategic planning and delivery of a full and varied annual events programme, focusing on delivering high quality events that have high impact.
Occasional weekend, evening and flexible working will be required.
About You
We're looking for an experienced and strategic events professional with a proven track record of delivering high-profile, large-scale events and managing complex projects from concept to delivery. You will have significant experience influencing and working with senior stakeholders, leading high-performing teams, managing substantial budgets and people, and using data and insight to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
Principal accountabilities
- Take the strategic lead on the development and implementation of an impactful annual events strategy.
- Lead the planning and delivery of all student recruitment and high-profile events.
- Represent the department on the graduation steering group.
- Jointly work with Registry to deliver multiple high-quality awards ceremonies.
- Lead the idea generation for key events.
- Take responsibility for ensuring the University is compliant with industry regulations.
- Effectively lead the Events team.
- Trouble shoot and respond at pace with solutions to challenges.
- Position yourself as the events expert at Derby.
- Have oversight of all events taking place at the University of Derby.
- Represent the Events Operations team and Student Recruitment teams at senior leadership meetings.
- Work with teams across the department and lead on events promotional and communication plans.
- Ensure effective communication with senior stakeholders.
- Prepare and manage designated budgets linked to the events programme.
- Work with the Head of Undergraduate Recruitment to ensure appropriate metrics and performance criteria are in place.
- Oversee annual events budgets.
- Promote enhanced standards of service and operational delivery of events.
- Carry out any other duties required appropriate to the post.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Relevant first-degree qualification or significant comparable experience.
- Extensive experience and demonstrable success in planning, implementing and delivering high profile events.
- Experience of influencing at the highest level.
- Evidence of operating effectively at management level.
- Extensive project management experience.
- Experience of managing large events budgets.
- Strong communication and inter-personal skills.
- Demonstrable and deep understanding of student recruitment in the Higher Education sector.
- Creative and innovative with a strong eye for detail.
- Proven ability to plan and organise individual and team activities.
Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Hannah Wright, Associate Director - Recruitment via h.wright@derby.ac.uk.
Important information
This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
Environmental Sustainability
At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do.
Don’t miss your chance – join the team and make a difference today!
Events Operations Manager in Derby employer: University of Derby
The University of Derby is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in IT service delivery. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to professional growth opportunities and a generous benefits package, all while contributing to a vibrant academic community dedicated to enhancing user systems and maintaining high security standards.
