Head of Corporate Events

Description

Events play a powerful role in how London & Partners engages stakeholders, showcases London, builds our reputation and connects audiences with our programmes.

We are looking for a Head of Corporate Events to lead the next stage of our events function, creating a centre of excellence that delivers high-quality, creative and professionally run events across the organisation.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who can combine strategic direction with outstanding operational delivery. You will lead the Corporate Events team, establish consistent ways of working, and ensure our mid- to large-scale events, whether physical, virtual or hybrid, are delivered efficiently, creatively and to the highest standards.

You will work closely with teams across London & Partners, including Marketing, Communications, Creative, Operations and programme delivery teams, helping translate their objectives and content into seamless event experiences. You will also lead our approach to event production, supplier and venue management, governance, sustainability, accessibility, budget oversight and continuous improvement.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced events leader who enjoys building structure, improving delivery, developing teams and creating memorable event experiences that support organisational impact.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Establish and lead a centralised Corporate Events function, creating clear ways of working across the organisation.
• Build an events centre of excellence that supports consistent, high-quality and scalable delivery.
• Develop and embed production best practice across compliance, sustainability, accessibility, diversity and inclusion, and net-zero standards.
• Implement clear ownership, decision-making processes and RACI frameworks.
• Create preferred supplier and preferred venue frameworks that drive consistency, quality and value.
• Provide strategic direction for how events are planned, resourced, delivered and measured across London & Partners.

You will also:

• Oversee the end-to-end logistics and production of mid- and large-scale or significant events, including physical, virtual and hybrid formats.
• Ensure events are delivered professionally, creatively, efficiently and in line with organisational standards.
• Introduce tools, templates and frameworks that improve planning, delivery, measurement and repeatability.
• Manage contracting, procurement, budget oversight and financial tracking for events.
• Improve event processes, reducing duplication, unnecessary meetings and inefficient ways of working.
• Ensure strong risk management and operational control across the events portfolio.

You will:

• Act as the primary events partner to delivery teams, Corporate Communications and Operations.
• Work with content owners to translate event objectives and audience needs into high-quality event experiences.
• Provide advice and guidance to teams delivering smaller events where needed.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Communications and Creative teams to ensure brand alignment and audience experience excellence.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers, venues, technical partners and creative vendors.
• Use supplier and partner relationships to drive quality, innovation, value and consistency.

As a people leader, you will:

• Lead and develop the Corporate Events team, creating a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Define team structure, roles and responsibilities across the events function.
• Build subject-matter expertise within the team.
• Coach and support team members, identifying development opportunities.
• Support capability building across the wider organisation, helping colleagues understand how to plan and deliver effective events.
• Create a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

You will:

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost and maximise value-in-kind.
• Oversee post-event reviews and wash-up processes to capture learning and improve future delivery.
• Ensure event performance is measured effectively.
• Help demonstrate how events contribute to London & Partners’ organisational goals.
• Use insight, feedback and data to improve the quality, consistency and impact of the events portfolio.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are looking for an experienced events leader who can bring structure, creativity and operational excellence to a busy and varied events environment.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven experience leading a large-scale events or event production function.
• Strong experience designing and implementing effective operating models, governance and processes.
• Deep knowledge of event logistics, production, supplier management, contracting and budgeting.
• Experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder events across varied formats, including in-person, virtual, hybrid and ideally international events.
• Strong understanding of venue sourcing, technical requirements, accessibility, sustainability and compliance standards.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation and resource-management skills.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing event budgets, procurement and supplier contracts.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, content owners and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Confidence operating in a commissioner-producer model, where delivery teams own event objectives and content, and the events function leads production and execution.
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• A solutions-focused and agile approach, with the ability to work at pace across multiple concurrent projects.

You will be someone who can balance creativity with control, pace with process, and ambition with practical delivery. You will know what excellent event production looks like and be able to build the systems, standards and relationships needed to deliver it consistently.

You will also be a strong people leader, able to develop talent, build capability and create a collaborative team culture that supports high standards and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• 🌴 30 Days Annual Leave: Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
• 💰 Competitive Salary: We value your contributions and ensure you are rewarded accordingly.
• 📚 Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous growth is at the heart of our culture, with ample opportunities for professional development.
• 🤝 Strong Culture of Belonging: We foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
• 🌐 Various Networks for Staff: Connect with like-minded colleagues through our numerous staff networks.
• 🏦 Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension plan.
• 🔗 Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network within your chosen field.
• 🌍 Geopolitical Insights: Gain unique perspectives on global economic and political trends.
• 🏠 Hybrid Working Arrangement: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in-office.
• ✈️ WorkFlex: Take advantage of opportunities to work abroad and experience different cultures.

London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. London & Partners is the business growth and destination agency for London – it is our mission to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive.

Our work shines a global spotlight on London; we support the Mayor of London's priorities by promoting London internationally as a leading world city.