Head of Events

The Royal Commonwealth Society is seeking a highly organised, proactive, and experienced events manager to lead the planning and execution of its diverse portfolio of high-profile and fundraising events. The postholder will manage the full lifecycle of events - from concept through delivery - ensuring every event reflects the Society’s values and enhances its reputation and reach.

Flagship events include the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, an Award Ceremony for The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition at Buckingham Palace, the High Commissioners’ Banquet at Mansion House, and other ceremonial, stakeholder, youth, and fundraising engagements.

Key responsibilities: 

• Lead the end-to-end management of all RCS events, ensuring the successful delivery of high-profile, ceremonial, and fundraising events.
• Oversee event planning, including venue sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier coordination, protocol, security, AV, catering, and staffing.
• Manage the delivery of the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, ensuring coordination with the Royal Household, Westminster Abbey, the BBC, and government departments.
• Deliver a Commonwealth Concert as a key fundraising and engagement event, managing all artistic, production, and logistical elements.
• Organise the High Commissioners’ Banquet at Mansion House, coordinating with the City of London Corporation, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, diplomatic missions, and keynote speakers.
• Support other public-facing events, including those connected to The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, and the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.
• Prepare and manage budgets, ensuring events are delivered on time and within financial parameters.
• Oversee guest and stakeholder management, including invitations, RSVP tracking, VIP handling, seating plans, and pre-event briefings.
• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials for events, including biographies, guest lists, and running orders, ensuring accuracy and alignment with protocol requirements.
• Draft and coordinate speaking notes for key participants and speakers, tailored to the event’s purpose, audience, and messaging objectives.
• Maintain and update key documentation, including event timelines, run sheets, contact lists, and risk assessments.
• Support post-event evaluation, producing summary reports and identifying lessons learned.
• Assist in fundraising endeavours such as grant writing and donor stewardship.
• Other duties as and when required.