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Schools North East is approaching its 20th year as the region’s dedicated, independent voice for schools. Over that time, we have grown into a highly successful, dynamic, and influential charity, representing over 1,150 member schools in the North East and 400 specialist schools nationally. Our reputation as the Voice of North East Schools is firmly established – trusted by our members, respected by policymakers, and recognised nationally.
We are now entering the next phase of our journey and are recruiting a highly motivated Events Manager to join our small but very successful team. This is a diverse and challenging role which offers tremendous opportunity to shape and implement programmes that make a real difference in schools.
It requires someone with strong business acumen who is a target-oriented and driven individual, focused on achieving challenging targets. You must have significant experience in managing a large and successful events programme consisting of a diverse range of physical and virtual events, ranging in size from 20 to 700 attendees. In the academic year 2024/25, we supported over 3000 school leaders from the North East and beyond through our events programme.
You will be joining a small, committed and high-performing team, where people take ownership, work at pace, and care deeply about the difference we make. In return, this role offers a genuine opportunity to shape a key part of the organisation and to play a central role in its future direction.
If you combine strong delivery with curiosity, initiative and the confidence to develop new approaches, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The Role
The Events Manager will work closely with the Directors and Senior Leaders to drive the organisation’s strategic development, financial resilience, and stakeholder relationships. As a key member of the leadership team, you will design and deliver a comprehensive annual events programme that aligns with the charity’s strategic plan and provides tangible support to schools across the North East and beyond. You will play a proactive role in shaping company strategy, contributing to the growth and sustainability of all programmes and activities.
Your primary focus will be the execution of a successful events programme and a robust income strategy for Schools North East. This involves exploring innovative ways to support the organisation’s core projects and representing the charity externally to expand our network of speakers, delegates and commercial sponsors. Working alongside other teams, you will also help grow membership programmes, ensuring the long-term sustainability of both the charity and its trading arm.
Success in this role requires the ability to maintain excellent relationships with existing and potential supporters while driving high levels of engagement across the events portfolio. You will be a confident and highly organised networker, tasked with increasing school participation by actively promoting Schools North East and developing deep links with regional stakeholders.
You will provide Directors with the essential information and capacity needed to focus on overarching strategic priorities, ensuring the events programme remains mission-aligned. By managing the Deputy Events Manager and Event Coordinators, you will ensure the team is equipped to handle the increased scale and complexity resulting from the organisation’s recent growth, delivering high-quality outcomes across all activities.
Join our Team
This is a key role in the organisation, working with a team of similarly motivated and like-minded people with a strong desire to succeed, make a difference and to support education in our region. In your role, you will support and be supported by the wider Schools North East team, which includes a dedicated Events team, Finance & Admin team, Marketing & Communications team, and Policy team.
Key tasks will include, but are not limited to:
Strategy and Development
- Contribute ideas, information and high-level speakers to produce a ‘must attend’ events programme that meets strategic goals
- Represent the charity externally to conduct strategic conversations with members, steering groups and commercial organisations, securing sponsorship and long-term support for the charity’s sustainability
- Oversee the marketing strategy for all events to ensure maximum engagement and brand visibility
- Grow the events programme through online and face-to-face delivery
Financial Management
- Provide Directors with the necessary data to formulate the annual budget and produce timely cash flow projections
- Take full responsibility for project budgets, and support the Business Manager to prepare detailed profit and loss reports for review by the Directors
- Manage supplier and venue relationships, ensuring all contracts and services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively
Team Leadership
- Line manage the Deputy Events Manager, Events Coordinator (s) and any temporary support staff or interns
- Work as an integral member of a small, senior team, undertaking flexible tasks as required to deliver the overarching aims of Schools North East
Event Delivery and Operations
- Manage the full lifecycle of the events programme, from initial proposal and on-site inspection to final execution
- Ensure all projects are delivered on time and within budget, maintaining clear timelines and priorities across the team
- Oversee all operational and administrative functions to ensure excellent customer service and high-quality delivery across every event
Person Specification
Essential
Strategic & Operational Balance:
Highly organised with an eye for detail and the capacity to pivot between high-level strategy and hands-on operational tasks; organised with an eye for detail.
Collaborative Leadership:
A proactive can-do attitude; able to work independently or as a team lead to achieve shared organisational goals.
Results Driven:
Highly motivated and target orientated, with a genuine passion for making a difference in North East education.
Innovative Problem Solving:
Creative thinker able to articulate new ideas and solve complex, unexpected issues on the spot under pressure.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Excellent communication skills (verbal/written) with a natural ability to build relationships with a diverse range of people.
Senior Event Management:
5+ years’ experience delivering complex, large-scale event programmes from initial concept to final execution.
Income & Growth:
Proven track record in event income generation, including sponsorship, exhibitor sales, and executing effective marketing strategies.
Sector Knowledge:
Understanding of the education system, current policy issues and political developments affecting schools, or the willingness to learn.
Technical Skills:
Proficient in virtual event platforms ie, zoom; CRM systems and G Suite; and, event-specific platforms and AV.
Desirable
Experience in the education, charity, or membership sector
Please submit your full CV, clarifying any gaps in employment, along with a cover letter clearly linking your skills and experience to the job description and person specification FAO Lindsay Gerencser.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
For every child, for every school, for the future of our region
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Schools North East is approaching its 20th year as the region’s dedicated, independent voice for schools. Over that time, we have grown into a highly successful, dynamic and influential charity, representing over 1,150 schools in the North East and 400 specialist schools nationally.
Our reputation as the Voice of North East Schools is firmly established, trusted by our members, respected by policymakers, and recognised nationally. We are now recruiting a highly motivated Deputy Events Manager to join our small but very successful team to provide maternity cover on a fixed-term basis for up to 12 months. This is an important delivery role within Schools North East, supporting the Events Manager to plan and deliver a high-quality events programme that provides practical support, insight and connection for schools across the North East and beyond.
The role requires someone with strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to take ownership of allocated events from planning through to evaluation. You will support the delivery of a diverse programme of conferences, webinars, roundtables, training sessions and stakeholder events, helping to ensure that every event is well-run, financially sound, professionally delivered and valued by delegates, speakers, sponsors and partners.
This is a hands-on role in a busy team. You will need to work at pace, manage multiple deadlines, solve problems calmly and build strong working relationships with colleagues, suppliers, venues, speakers, sponsors and school leaders. You will also contribute ideas to improve the events programme, support income generation through delegate engagement, sponsorship and exhibitor activity, and help maintain the high standards associated with Schools North East events.
You will be joining a small, committed and high-performing team, where people take ownership, work flexibly and care deeply about the difference we make. If you combine strong delivery with initiative, creativity and a genuine commitment to supporting education in the region, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The Role
The Deputy Events Manager will support the Events Manager in the planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of Schools North East’s annual events programme. The role will take responsibility for allocated events and projects, ensuring that each one is delivered to a high standard, on time, within agreed budgets and in line with the charity’s strategic priorities.
This is a key operational role within the Events team. You will work across conferences, online events, webinars, roundtables, training sessions, stakeholder events and other activities that bring together school leaders, business professionals, policymakers, commercial partners and wider education stakeholders. You will help ensure that delegates, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors experience Schools North East events as professional, purposeful and valuable.
Working closely with the Events Manager, you will contribute to the smooth running of the events programme by managing event logistics, coordinating suppliers and venues, supporting speaker liaison, maintaining accurate event information, contributing to marketing activity, supporting sponsorship and exhibitor delivery, and ensuring strong customer service before, during and after each event.
You will also play an important role in evaluation and continuous improvement. This will include gathering feedback, reviewing delegate and sponsor experience, identifying practical improvements, and helping the Events Manager to use evidence and insight to strengthen future events.
The Events Manager retains overall accountability for the events strategy, annual programme, income targets, budgets, commercial growth and team leadership. The Deputy Events Manager will contribute to these areas by delivering allocated events effectively, supporting income-generating activity, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring that operational delivery reflects the quality and ambition of Schools North East. You will also deputise in the absence of the Events Manager.
Join our team
This is an important role in the organisation, working with a team of similarly motivated and like minded people with a strong desire to succeed, make a difference and support education in our region. In your role, you will support and be supported by the wider Schools North East team, which includes a dedicated Events team, Finance & Admin team, Marketing & Communications team, and Policy team.
Key tasks will include, but are not limited to:
Event Delivery and Operations
- Lead on the planning, coordination and delivery of allocated events, from initial briefing through to post-event evaluation
- Manage event logistics, including venue arrangements, delegate information, speaker requirements, supplier coordination, event materials, AV requirements and on-the-day delivery
- Ensure allocated events are delivered on time, within agreed budgets and to a consistently high standard
- Maintain clear event plans, timelines, task lists and records, ensuring colleagues have the information they need to support delivery
- Provide excellent customer service to delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and partners before, during and after events
- Support the Events Manager in ensuring that operational processes are effective, consistent and fit for purpose across the full events programme
Programme Support and Development
- Support the Events Manager to deliver a comprehensive annual events programme aligned with Schools North East’s strategic priorities
- Contribute practical ideas for event content, formats, speakers, delegate engagement and continuous improvement
- Use delegate feedback, event data and stakeholder insight to help identify opportunities to strengthen the programme
- Support the development of online, hybrid and face-to-face events, ensuring that each format is well planned and professionally delivered
- Work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure events reflect current priorities for schools and provide tangible value to members and stakeholders
Income, Sponsorship and Commercial Support
- Support the delivery of income-generating events, including delegate bookings, sponsorship packages, exhibitor activity and partner engagement
- Help identify potential sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and partners for allocated events
- Liaise professionally with sponsors and exhibitors, ensuring agreed benefits are delivered accurately and on time
- Support the Events Manager with the preparation of information needed for sponsorship, exhibitor and delegate income monitoring
- Contribute to the development of commercial opportunities while ensuring that events remain mission-aligned and credible with schools
Financial and Supplier Management
- Manage event-level budgets for allocated projects, tracking expenditure and income against agreed plans
- Obtain quotes, liaise with venues and suppliers, and support cost-effective procurement for event delivery
- Maintain accurate financial and operational records to support budget monitoring, invoicing and post-event reporting
- Support the Events Manager and Business Manager with the preparation of event information for profit and loss reporting
- Ensure contracts, purchase orders and supplier arrangements are managed in line with organisational processes
Marketing, Communications and Engagement
- Work with the Marketing & Communications team to support effective promotion of events
- Provide accurate event information, deadlines, audience insight and content for mailers, website listings, social media and delegate communications
- Support audience engagement by helping to identify target groups, school networks and stakeholder contacts for allocated events
- Ensure delegate communications are clear, timely and professional
- Help maintain the Schools North East brand and reputation through high-quality event materials, communications and customer service
Team Working
- Work closely with the Events Manager, Events Coordinator(s) and wider team to ensure effective delivery across the events programme
- Coordinate tasks for colleagues, temporary staff, interns or volunteers where required for specific events
- Contribute positively to a small, busy and flexible team, undertaking practical tasks as required to support the wider aims of Schools North East
- Share learning, feedback and improvements to support consistency and quality across events
- Work flexibly, including occasional early mornings, evenings, regional travel and national travel where required
Person Specification
Essential
Event Delivery:
At least 3 years’ experience in event planning and delivery, including responsibility for coordinating events from planning through to evaluation
Operational Organisation:
Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines, tasks and priorities at pace
Problem Solving:
Able to remain calm under pressure, solve practical problems quickly and respond effectively to unexpected issues during event planning and live delivery
Communication and Customer Service:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide professional, responsive and high-quality customer service to delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, suppliers and colleagues
Stakeholder Relationships:
Confident in building and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of people, including venues, suppliers, school leaders, speakers, sponsors and partners
Income and Commercial Awareness:
Experience supporting income-generating events, including delegate bookings, sponsorship, exhibitors, ticket sales or commercial partnerships
Supplier and Venue Coordination:
Experience liaising with venues, AV providers, event suppliers and contractors to support high quality and cost-effective delivery
Budget Awareness:
Able to monitor event-level budgets, track income and expenditure, and maintain accurate records to support financial reporting
Technical Skills:
Confident using event systems, CRM or database platforms, virtual event software, G Suite or similar tools, and basic AV equipment
Collaborative Working:
A proactive, can-do approach, with the ability to work independently and as part of a small, busy team
Results Driven:
Highly motivated, target-oriented and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes that support education in the North East
Sector Interest:
An interest in, and ability to quickly understand, the education system and the issues affecting schools Desirable Experience in the education, charity, or membership sector
To apply: Please submit your full CV, clarifying any gaps in employment, along with a cover letter clearly linking your skills and experience to the job description and person specification FAO Lindsay Gerencser.
To apply: Please submit your full CV, clarifying any gaps in employment, along with a cover letter clearly linking your skills and experience to the job description and person specification FAO Lindsay Gerencser.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
For every child, for every school, for the future of our region
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.