Events Manager

University of Birmingham - Universitas 21

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Hours: Full time, but can be adapted to 0.8 FTE to accommodate flexible working requirements

This role is employed by the University of Birmingham but dedicated exclusively to Universitas 21 (U21), a global network of 31 research-intensive universities spanning six continents.

The successful candidate will be an experienced events professional with strong organisational, administrative and project management skills and the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders. They will demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and maintain excellent attention to detail. Key responsibilities include managing event data and evaluation processes to inform continuous improvement, ensuring a strong return on investment and a consistently high standard of member experience. The Events Manager will champion innovative formats and technologies to broaden accessibility and global reach while contributing to long-term event strategy aligned with organisational priorities. They will also develop and document consistent processes and templates to ensure efficiency and quality across all events.

Main Duties

• Event Management- Lead the planning, logistics, and delivery of U21’s international events portfolio in partnership with host member institutions.
• Project Management- Project manage all operational elements including event programme scheduling, registration, delegate communications, accessibility requirements, and on-site delivery.
• Strategic Content Development - Shape high-quality, strategically aligned event content in collaboration with the Provost and Heads of Global Engagement ensuring all content is designed to increase stakeholder engagement and enhance the participant experience.
• Event Programme Design - Design agendas, briefing materials, session formats, and speaker coordination to ensure value for senior academic and professional stakeholders.
• Process & Standards Development –Establish and maintain consistent event planning processes, templates, and best practice guidelines to drive efficiency, quality assurance, and alignment across all events.
• Communications and Reputation- Ensure all events align with and contribute to U21’s reputation-building campaigns and strategic communications goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus relevant practical experience - where no equivalent qualification is held significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to produce and analyse information and data.
• Significant hands-on experience managing and delivering events on the ground within complex organisations, including in externally managed venues.
• Experience of delivering international events including co-creating and coordinating with colleagues and partners across different locations and time zones, is highly desirable.
• Strong communication, client-facing, and presentation skills, with the ability to listen to colleagues, understand their event needs, and propose innovative, creative solutions.

Informal enquiries can be made to Chloe Brough, email: c.l.ainslie@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working