Event Manager (FTC March 2025)

Purpose of the role

Understanding the needs of the client, the audience and Innovate UK Business Connect, the Event Manager will use their experience and creativity in designing and producing event experiences to deliver effective and impactful campaigns that target diverse audiences.

Working in partnership with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders and clients to ensure that campaign objectives are clear, and that skill sets from across the organisation are used to generate maximum return on investment.

This role will ensure that at each touchpoint with each client, audience or partner, Innovate UK Business Connect is contributing towards the creation of a network of innovators so powerful, its ideas will change the world.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues to design and deliver events that will achieve client and IUK Business Connect objectives.
• Ensure that all event attendees, including speakers, sponsors, delegates, partners, and colleagues enjoy a seamless and high-quality user journey, from pre-event to post-event.
• Be creative in delivering innovative events, using a combination of consumer and business facing initiatives.
• Collaborate across IUK Business Connect, ensuring that cross-company skill sets are deployed, and IUK Business Connect strategy and values are key to every event.
• Budget time and expenditure effectively, ensuring that project owners are aware of any changes to forecast or anticipated outcomes well in advance of project closure.
• Set objectives for events and measure success against objectives.
• Liaise effectively and clearly with contractors to ensure that IUK Business Connect are recognised as a valued, open and collaborative client.
• Ensure that IUK Business Connect events become renowned for the high quality of experience and impact they deliver to audiences and partners.

Ensure that IUK Business Connect gathers knowledge about all event attendees and their event experience to ensure that we continually improve their experience.

These roles and responsibilities will scale and adapt according to the changing needs of the business and the innovation landscape in the UK. The Event Manager must be prepared to embrace changing circumstances and work collaboratively with others across the Directorate to deliver on behalf of IUK Business Connect, our clients, and partners.

Experience & Skills

Experience

• Event operations, design, contracting or production experience – live and online.
• Experience of working across both online and face-to-face events.
• Proven ability to handle challenging environments, individuals, and unforeseen circumstances.
• Experience of delivering brilliant execution to exceptionally high standard.
• Experience of working within and across teams.
• Experience of working across multiple regions and demographics.

Skills

• Holistic skillset including planning and organisational skills, technical skills, relationship building, design awareness and production skills.
• Being able to excel when dealing with ambiguity, complexity and working within a fast-paced, innovative, and matrixed environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of IT literacy.
• Experience with Cvent desirable.

Benefits & how to apply

• This role has a salary of £34,215 pa
• 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
• Enhanced Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Wider Wallet employee benefits high street discounts scheme
• Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme

This is a fixed term contract until 31st March 2025.

Please apply by submitting a tailored cover letter outlining your suitability with specifics relating to the requirements of the role, and your CV outlining your experience.

This role will be home based (UK) or office based (Edinburgh, Harwell, London) with UK travel.

Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the UK without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided. Unfortunately, owing to the high number of applications received, we can only provide feedback to applicants selected for interview.

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iuk.ktn-uk.org.

Innovate UK Business Connect strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.

If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing recruitment@iuk.ktn-uk.org.

About Innovate UK Business Connect

We connect ideas, people, and communities to drive innovation that changes lives.

Innovation is complex. The journey from idea to market is not straightforward and requires a diverse range of know-how, investment, market knowledge and research. Innovate UK Business Connect exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.

The future holds both challenges and opportunities. We are passionate about working with innovative businesses to overcome these challenges and shape the opportunities and solutions that follow.

Our vision is to create a network of innovators so powerful its ideas will change the world.

While business is at the heart of our work, our diverse connections span government, funders, research and the third sector. This unrivalled overview and connectivity enable us to be a trusted guide through a complex global landscape of research, development, and innovation.