Senior event manager jobs in deals gateway, greater london
Job title if successfully recruited into the role will be Head of Creative and Production
Are you a creative leader with a passion for social justice, a talent for storytelling, and a track record of inspiring brilliant ideas? Join Shelter as our Head of Creative and Production and lead our award-winning in-house team in delivering powerful, purpose-driven work that fuels the fight against the housing emergency.
In this exciting and varied role, you’ll oversee creative output across a wide range of channels – from print and film to digital and experiential events – helping to shape the campaigns, content and communications that drive change. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll champion creativity, nurture talent, and lead the Creative Team in campaigns to achieve Shelter’s mission.
About the role
Shelter is seeking a Head of Creative and Production to lead our award-winning in-house creative team (In-House Agency of the Year, 2025 Drum Awards) and build on its impressive track record of fighting homelessness and the housing emergency through sector-leading creative content.
In this varied, fast-paced and stimulating role, you will collaborate closely with your Planning Lead, Copy Lead and two Creative Leads to inspire and support Shelter’s talented writers, designers, videographers, photographers and other creatives to respond to briefs, develop concepts, and deliver highly creative and impactful outputs across a range of media (including print, tv, social, web and experiential events).
Role specifics
We’re looking for a creative leader to help drive fresh thinking and brilliant ideas across all our work. You’ll play a key role in supporting the team to develop and deliver innovative, impactful concepts that really make a difference. Working closely with the marketing team, you’ll help shape strong, clear propositions that lead to the best possible creative solutions. You’ll also build collaborative relationships across the organisation – from income generation and communications to campaigns, services and retail – making sure their creative needs are met and spotting new opportunities for the team to add value.
As well as mentoring and inspiring a talented team of designers, writers and content creators, you’ll help plan and prioritise projects, keeping things running smoothly and efficiently. You’ll work with a trusted network of external creatives to bring ideas to life to a high standard, on time and within budget. A natural champion of great creative work, you’ll foster a supportive, can-do culture, oversee asset management, and make sure the team’s work is visible, accessible and celebrated. You’ll also take the lead on managing the team’s budget and helping shape the future of the Creative Team at Shelter.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Shelter’s multi award-winning in-house creative team (In-House Agency of the Year, 2025 Drum Awards) has an impressive track record of fighting homelessness and the housing emergency through sector-leading creative content. In leading this team, this role will collaborate closely with our Planning Lead, Copy Lead and two Creative Leads to inspire and support a talented cross-organisational team of writers, designers, videographers, photographers and other creatives.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Executive Director to lead ProVeg UK in this next phase of growth and impact. This role combines strategic leadership with high-level stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and organisational development. The ideal candidate brings entrepreneurial energy, exceptional communication skills, strong credentials in the UK NGO sector, and a passion for food systems transformation.
ProVeg UK has a very strong track record in influencing public food through its School Plates programme, which has, to date, swapped over 47m meals from meat-based to plant-based or veggie. We work in over 8,000 schools across the UK, reaching over 1.3 million children every day. We are keen to expand this excellent work to a wider range of stakeholders, including hospitals (a new manager has just been recruited to develop a Hospital Plates pilot), policymakers, the corporate sector and media.
The Executive Director will be at the forefront of this expansion, while also ensuring the continued success of our existing programmes. As such, this is a high-impact role, offering the opportunity to be a catalyst for positive change in the UK’s plant-based and alternative protein movement — helping to shape a more sustainable future.
Job Details
Reports to: Deputy CEO
Country: UK
Location: Greater London Area (within 1.5 hours by train)
Hours: Full-time (35 h/week)
Salary: £55-60k (plus London allowance of £3k, if applicable)
Start date: ideally ASAP
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver ProVeg UK’s long-term strategy aligned with ProVeg International’s mission
- Lead the design and scaling of UK-based programmes that create measurable impact and reflect local opportunities and needs
- Represent the organisation to increase ProVeg’s visibility and influence.
- Sit as a member of the ProVeg C.I.C. Board.
Stakeholder Engagement & Fundraising
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with strategic partners including food companies, government agencies, foundations, and major donors
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including government tenders and philanthropic partnerships, with a strong focus on climate and health-related funding
- Act as a public thought leader and spokesperson in the UK for food systems transformation in line with ProVeg International’s strategy
- Manage governance and engagement with the UK board
Team & Organisational Development
- Lead and support our fantastic, high-performing UK team and foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, impact and evaluation
- Provide regular coaching and feedback, ensuring clear objectives, performance development, and providing recognition
- Foster innovation, improvement and a growth mindset in the team, and identify new opportunities to grow our UK work
- Collaborate with ProVeg International teams and other ProVeg countries on shared programmes and goals
Financial Management & Reporting
- Develop and oversee the UK annual budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation
- Ensure compliance with UK regulations, reporting requirements, and ProVeg International policies
- Provide timely and transparent reporting to the Deputy CEO, International team, and Board
Qualifications
Essential
- Proven leadership experience (5+ years at deputy- or C-level) in a UK-based NGO or mission-driven organisation, ideally in food, climate, or health sectors
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and partnership building, especially with foundations, governments, or climate philanthropies
- Strong entrepreneurial mindset and ability to develop and execute impactful strategies
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with experience speaking to media and government bodies, at public events, and with internal stakeholders of all levels (Board, Senior Leadership Team, Staff and Volunteers)
- Deep understanding of UK funding landscape, policy environment, and relevant NGOs
- Experience leading diverse and remote teams, with a collaborative and empowering leadership style
- Commitment to ProVeg’s mission and values, and strong alignment with our strategic goals
- Experience working with cross-functional and international teams
- Committed to following a plant-based lifestyle
- Knowledge of good governance practice
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to effectively fulfil the role of Director
Desirable
- Existing network of funders, policymakers, or influencers relevant to food systems or climate in the UK
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. in public policy, environmental studies, food systems, business, or similar)
- Familiarity with effective altruism principles and evidence-based programme design
- Understanding of plant-based innovation, sustainable diets, or alternative proteins
Benefits of working with us
- Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days per year, with an additional day granted at the start of each calendar up to a maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays)
- A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.
- Provision of a work laptop.
- Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.
- Career development support
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay
- Compassionate animal companion leave
- Employee Assistance Programme including counselling
- Access to 24/7 virtual GP Service
- Mindfulness support via a free Headspace account for you and up to 5 friends or family members
- Access to the Wisdom app with exclusive perks and discounts
- Membership to the OpenUp platform
- We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.
- And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!
When?
Application deadline: 15.06
First (People & Culture) interview: 23.06 - 26.06
Trial task: 03.07-06.07.
Second (team) interview: 14.07 - 22.07
Final (executive) interview: 24.07 - 26.07
Further information
Your application should include a cover letter and CV. Please indicate your motivation for the role and describe how you meet the requirements. Please send us your application using our online form. Thank you!
Important: Please make sure to use your own words and ideas on the cover letter. The goal is for us to know you better in order to assess if this role and your motivation are a good fit. Letters written with AI, or written in a language other than English, will be disregarded.
Salary: £90,000k per annum – negotiable depending on experience.
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
About In Kind Direct
For nearly 30 years, In Kind Direct has been at the forefront of product redistribution in the UK, ensuring that no one misses out on life’s essentials. Founded by HM The King, we partner with leading brands and retailers to channel everyday goods—hygiene items, household products, toys, clothing and more—to over 6,000 community groups. Every week, we help more than half a million people in need. Yet, poverty and exclusion remain as key challenges within the UK, and we’re on a mission to reach even more people with more products.
Our values
We work with kindness, togetherness and integrity, driving innovation.
The Opportunity
We’re seeking an energetic, commercially savvy Interim Commercial Director to join us for approximately nine months. You’ll provide strategic leadership to our Commercial Team, manage our thriving e-commerce operation (equivalent to a £30m etail business) and cultivate and deepen long-term partnerships with our FMCG and retail supporters, both new and those who have worked with us for many years. This is a unique chance to shape mutually beneficial relationships that fuel social impact across the UK.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership
- Lead, coach and motivate the Commercial Partnerships team to deliver outstanding results, including achieving 2025 targets and deliverables
- As a key member of IKD’s senior Leadership Team, contribute to the operational and strategic direction of the organisation, and attend regular meetings of IKD’s Board of Trustees
- Provide dynamic day-to-day leadership presence, role-modelling IKD’s values and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and results-focus
Strategic Commercial Relations
- Accountable for IKD’s relationships with its major commercial partners, ensuring successful collaboration and delivery of mutually-agreed targets and plans.
- Work with the Heads of New Business and Partnerships to develop and implement Commercial Team plans, enabling the delivery of all commercial targets and success criteria
- Maintain a close watch on the needs of our charitable network, and identify a pipeline of current and new donated products in response
- Lead the Head of Partnerships and Head of New Business in building account plans for current and future product donors. Develop and drive trading strategy, including delivery of partnerships with affiliate schemes
- Ensure excellent customer service to maximise the potential for product donations, including the development of bespoke proposals, high-quality impact/progress reports and any other engagement collateral required
- Attend networking and other events relevant to IKD, building relationships with influencers and those able to support IKD
E-Commerce
- Accountable for delivering revenue targets through IKD’s e-commerce platform
- Work with the Operations Director and E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Manager to oversee the customer journey, aiming to increase conversion, retention and renewal
- Support the E-Commerce Manager to develop and deliver the workplan for all corporate sites
- Work with leadership team to deliver data-led analysis of our performance, both on commercial performance as well as marketing and business development
Marketing
- Support and guide the Marketing team, to ensure successful delivery of IKD’s calendar of high-impact marketing and advertising campaigns, including social media
- Oversee the internal and external use of branding guidelines – ensuring consistency in the look and feel of all collateral materials, events and campaigns – protecting IKD’s corporate identity and positioning
- Monitor the effectiveness of all marketing initiatives and activities, providing ROI and engagement measurements
- Lead the marketing team in developing ambitious plans to celebrate IKD’s 30th anniversary in 2026
Skills/experience you will bring:
- Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level, being able to see the bigger picture while also being comfortable with detail and data, and ‘getting things done’
- Demonstrable sales and business development experience, having held a lead role in growing commercial revenue
- Strong commercial acumen, with excellent numeracy, analytical and negotiating skills
- A passion for social impact - a storyteller, able to sell an inspiring vision
- Excellent ambassadorial, communication and relationship-building skills
- A very clear customer focus
- E-commerce experience
- Ideal: (It would be great if you have this, but we are open to candidates who may not)
- E-commerce experience in a charity or e-retailer
- Strong day-to-day marketing experience in particular planning, executing and measuring the success of campaigns
Working at In Kind Direct
Our team receives excellent training and development, and team benefits include an interest-free travel loan, volunteering days, 28 days holiday each year (including 3 days between Christmas and New Year, excluding public holidays) and a generous pension scheme entitlement. We are an equal opportunity employer and support our team to succeed in their roles through training, adaptations, flexibility in working, access to our Employee Assistance Platform, and a range of policies to support people in their personal, family and care responsibilities.
We are an accredited Great Place to Work – and have additionally been recognised as a Great Place to Work amongst small Charities and a Great Place to work for Women.
We seek to challenge discrimination and are committed to our values of kindness, togetherness, integrity, and innovation. We are on an organisational journey to achieving our EDI vision and welcome any questions about our progress and aspirations. We especially welcome applications from anyone with lived experience of being on a low income or working with smaller charitable organisations. We will meet all reasonable expenses and will support anyone invited to interview to be able to participate.
How to apply
The deadline for applying for this role is Friday, June 6th. For details of how your data as an applicant will be used and stored, please read our Privacy Policy. We ask all applicants to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring form, either through our website or our online application process.
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief supporting statement (max. 500 words) through our online application portal. Applications submitted without a supporting statement may not be considered.
Provisional interview dates:
Initial screening calls (15 mins) - W/C 9th June
First interviews likely to be W/C 16th June,
Second interviews likely to be W/C 23rd June.
REF-221662