Events Manager (Permanent or 1-year Fixed Term)
Department: Conferences and Events
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Oxford
Compensation: £38,000 - £40,000 / year
Description
Two positions available: a permanent position and a one-year fixed term contract
About the College
Lady Margaret Hall (LMH) is a constituent College of the University of Oxford and is located in peaceful, spacious gardens beside the University Parks. LMH was founded in 1878 with a dual passion for learning and for equality, making it possible for the first time for women to study at Oxford. Today, the College continues to draw inspiration from this great foundation vision. It is now a co-educational academic community of c. 400 undergraduate and c.200 postgraduate students, committed to excellence in research and scholarship and to effective, highly personalised teaching and learning for students from all backgrounds.
The College prepares its students to live and work in a fast-moving, complex and global society that is hungry for knowledge, communication and integrity. LMH is an 'Investors in People' employer and is the only Oxbridge college to have achieved a gold award.
The College is committed to equality and values diversity. For a full perspective, visit the College website:
About the Conference Business
LMH boasts a thriving commercial business, hosting conferences and events in its beautiful setting. The college is equipped with distinctive facilities ideal for various events, ranging from day meetings and residential conferences to banquets and weddings. During the summer, the College is busy with summer schools and the 'LMH Oxford Summer Programmes', a series of engaging courses taught by experienced academics using the tutorial system - a cornerstone of Oxford's educational approach.
We are seeking two (02) enthusiastic and dedicated Events Managers with good people skills, communication skills, and admin skills to join our team. In this role, you will:
* Plan and implement events: Successfully plan and execute events to meet agreed annual targets, contributing to the overall success of the conference business.
* Manage commercial events to ensure an excellent customer experience: Oversee all aspects of event planning and delivery, from initial inquiry to post-event follow-up, ensuring client satisfaction and a seamless event execution.
* Manage the customer relationship: Establish and maintain strong relationships with customers, working closely with them throughout the event planning process to understand their needs and ensure a positive and memorable experience.
* Liaise with other LMH teams: Effectively communicate and coordinate with other LMH departments, such as catering, accommodation, and facilities, to ensure seamless event logistics and support.
* Manage event charges and delivery costs: Accurately track and manage event-related expenses, ensuring cost-effectiveness and profitability while maintaining high-quality standards.
* Win and book new events: Actively participate in efforts to attract new business opportunities, including responding to inquiries, preparing proposals, and attending industry events.
* Support the delivery of summer schools: Provide comprehensive support for summer schools hosted at LMH, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for participants.
About You: This role is perfect for a motivated and energetic individual with a passion for customer service and a collaborative spirit, who is eager to contribute to the success of a thriving events programme. The ideal candidate will:
* Be customer-focused: You have a genuine passion for providing exceptional service and exceeding customer expectations.
* Be a strong team player: You thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working with others to achieve shared goals, while also being capable of working independently and taking ownership of your tasks.
* Have excellent communication skills: You possess strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling you to build rapport with clients and colleagues.
* Be well-organised and efficient: You have a proven ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, prioritise workload, and meet deadlines. You are numerate and able to interpret event requirements, translating them into accurate quotes and contracts.
* Be resilient and adaptable: You are comfortable working in a dynamic environment, handling changing priorities and unexpected challenges with a positive attitude and a solutions-oriented mindset.
* Be collaborative and flexible: You are able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends, especially outside term time when there may be a consistent requirement for additional hours over a period of several weeks (which will be offset by time in lieu.)
* Have experience in a customer-facing, service-oriented role: You have a proven track record of success in delivering outstanding customer service in a similar role.
Why Join Us? You'll be part of a supportive, welcoming team dedicated to delivering excellent service and creating memorable experiences for our guests and summer students. LMH offers a friendly and varied work environment, along with a range of benefits. As an 'Investors in People' employer, LMH is proud to be the first college in Oxford to have achieved a gold award. You can find out more about our Conference business here
Terms and Conditions
The salary will be in the range of £38,000 - £40,000 per annum. There are two positions available:
* Permanent Position – View Job Description and Person Specification below
* One-year Fixed-term Contract - View Job Description and Person Specification below
Candidates should be educated to degree level. The post-holders must be able to attend some events during evenings and weekends, for which time off in lieu will be granted. While the role primarily requires working from LMH, there is the possibility of working from home for some of the time, as agreed upon with the line manager.
Benefits of working for the College include 37 days holiday (including bank holidays), pro rata for part time appointments, the option to join a University pension scheme and one free meal whilst on duty and the kitchens are open, when the kitchens are closed a meal allowance will be paid. Additional benefits include discounted bus/train travel to commute to work or salary sacrifice bicycle scheme, employee assistance programme, annual flu jab and eye examination, regular staff social events, staff parties and wellbeing activities.
Working hours – 37.5 hours per week, with exact working hours to be agreed upon appointment.
There will be an initial probationary period of six months. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
To apply for either position, please press the 'Apply Now' button and submit a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for this role and your CV.
We will be accepting applications until the positions have been filled.
A principal aim of this College's Equal Opportunities Policy is to ensure that in the recruitment, selection, training, appraisal, development and promotion of employees, the only consideration must be that the individual best meets, or is likely to meet, the requirements of the programme or course or post.
Lady Margaret Hall is committed to provide a learning, working and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members are respected, and which is free from prejudice, intimidation and all forms of harassment, including bullying. We seek to ensure that no-one suffers, either directly or indirectly, as a result of discrimination.
Lady Margaret Hall has a range of family friendly policies.