Head of Events

Job Description

Hours: This is a 90% contract with full-time hours expected in term time and reduced hours in school holidaysLocation: Hybrid. 1-2 days per week at IDPEs office near Bath. This may increase during busier periods. Please note you will be expected to work at the office for longer periods during your induction.Employment status: PermanentJob PurposeTo manage IDPE events portfolio. This includes a two-day annual conference which attracts over 500 delegates, a range of one-day workshops and webinars, and other conferences and networking forums.IDPE plays a vital role in supporting fundraisers and alumni relations professionals in schools and our professional development events provide essential training and support for members with a wide range of experience. The Head of Events is responsiblefor the management of all training and networking events, ensuring the diverse needs of our members are met.This role requires both a doer, capable of overseeing all aspects of an event, and a strategic thinker who is able to understand what our members need and translate this into engaging and relevant training events.Key responsibilitiesEvent management

• Ensuring that the service delivered to members across the entire professional development programme is first class, from the first point of contact to post event follow up
• Scheduling all courses, programmes and conferences to provide maximum attendance
• End-to-end project management of all events. This will range from small one-hour webinars, delivered by our Events and Administration Assistant, to the year-long project to deliver our flagship annual conference
• Overseeing all aspects of an event
• Contract negotiation for all venues and event suppliers
• Line management of an Events and Administration Assistant
• Supporting the Finance Director in the setting of a budget for each event and the monitoring of event income and expenditure
• Ensuring events are evaluated and quality control is monitored
• Onsite support at IDPEs external events

Content development for training events

• Working with the CEO and steering groups, developing content for all training programmes and events. This will include selecting a diverse yet cohesive selection of topics, overseeing speaker selection, and working with speakers to develop compelling andappropriate content
• Managing teams of volunteers and building networks across the sector to ensure IDPEs professional development programme is thought-provoking, topical and engaging

Developing professional development programmes

• Identifying members training needs through attending member forums, liaising with the Membership Manager and CEO, monitoring member communications, evaluating feedback and coordinating peer groups
• Along with the CEO, ensuring all content across the professional development programme is relevant and addresses key trends and challenges faced by our members
• Representing IDPE at cross-association meetings to discuss sector-wide training and working with the CEO in the development and delivery of events in collaboration with other associations
• In partnership with the CEO, overseeing the profitability of the professional development business line
• Working closely with the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, ensuring each event is marketed accurately and providing input into content and marketing strategy
• Producing written reports on the performance of the professional development programme

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive, but they highlight a number of major tasks that the post-holder may be reasonably expected to undertake.Person specificationThe selection of candidates for short-listing will be based on this specification and candidates should bear this in mind when preparing their application.ExperienceEssential

• Creating and managing multiple events
• Event delivery within a member/customer facing role
• Engaging and stewarding volunteers
• Strong project management skills

Desirable

• Experience working in a fundraising role in the education or charitable sectors
• Line management experience

KnowledgeEssential

• An understanding of the end-to-end event management process
• IT literate with a good understanding of MS Office

Desirable

• A solid knowledge of fundraising and community engagement within either the education, charitable or membership sector
• Proven experience of developing and managing a training programme
• Knowledge of IDPE and the needs of its members
• Financial awareness with the ability to P&Ls and maintain event budgets

CircumstancesThis role will require work outside of office hours on occasions.There will be some travel required to external meetings/training events and occasional overnight stays. This will include 4 days at the annual conference in June.How to ApplyApplications should be received by 9am on Monday 27 June 2022 and should include:

• A CV
• A covering letter that summarises your interest in this post, providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in the Person Specification. This should also include details of your notice period

Selection Process

• Suitable candidates will be invited to participate in an initial telephone interview. We will contact you no later than Tuesday 28 June to schedule an interview
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview at IDPEs offices in Bath on Thursday 7 July

Please note that the IDPE offices are on a second floor of a listed building what does not have a lift. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and we operate within a clear equal opportunities policy.