Events Manager

Association of Colleges

Hours
37.5 hours per week

About the Organisation

At the heart of every community should be a strong and successful college, supporting students, delivering skills, transforming communities, promoting social justice, working with employers, and growing the economy. Association of Colleges is the national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England. We are a not-for-profit membership organisation established by colleges, for colleges. Our members make up almost 95% of the sector - transforming 2.2 million lives each year.

Acting as the collective voice, we represent and promote the interests of colleges, and provide our members with high-quality professional support services, including training, events and recruitment. The AoC group also includes AoC Services - supporting all colleges to be great colleges by delivering high quality and cost-effective further education events, training and development, executive recruitment, interim management and strategic consultancy services AoC Sport - leading the development of sport and physical activity in 16+ education; and AoC Charitable Trust -promoting the very best in FE with some of the biggest and most respected awards in education, including the AoC Beacon Awards, FE Hall of Fame and Student of the Year.

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Association of Colleges (AoC) as an Events Manager within our new Technical and Vocational Professional Development (TVPD) programme team. This is a key role within the TVPD programme, which AoC is delivering on behalf of the Department for Education. The Events Manager will plan, coordinate and deliver high-quality, effective programme events across a range of formats, including online network meetings, webinars, in-person meetings and events on a regional and national level.

Working closely with Advisors and colleagues across the TVPD programme delivery team, you will ensure that events support programme objectives, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with wider programme KPIs and reporting requirements.

As Events Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of events and network activity, including planning, scheduling, logistics, delivery models, digital platforms, on-the-day delivery, post-event follow-up and evaluation. You will create and maintain effective systems and processes to support successful event delivery, working in alignment with the wider AoC events team.

You will also manage event budgets, source and liaise with suppliers, negotiate and manage contracts, coordinate speakers and facilitators, oversee delegate bookings and registration systems, and support onsite events, including occasional UK travel and overnight stays where required.

We are looking for someone with relevant experience of managing events from planning through to delivery, strong stakeholder management skills, excellent customer service, and the ability to work calmly and proactively in a busy programme environment. You will be highly organised, detail-focused, confident using online events and registration systems, and comfortable managing multiple events and priorities at the same time.

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to plan and deliver high-quality, effective digital and in-person network meetings, events and webinars.
• Execute the end-to-end management of events and network activity, including planning, scheduling, logistics, delivery models, digital platforms, on-the-day delivery and post-event follow-up and evaluation.
• Create, develop and maintain appropriate systems and processes to ensure the successful event delivery for the TVPD programme, in alignment with the wider AoC events team delivery.
• Ensure consistency of high-quality delivery and effective output across all event activity to support programme objectives using quality assurance processes.
• Provide creative input to inform design of different event formats including online, hybrid and physical in-person events, using interactive technology where appropriate.
• Manage event budgets including forecasting and ensuring delivery within budget.
• Support TVPD team colleagues to source and invite appropriate speakers and facilitators and manage associated relationships. Lead on providing speaker/facilitator briefings to ensure they are well prepared and delivery is interactive and engaging in all formats.
• Source suppliers including negotiation, liaison and contract management including but not limited to, venues, print and design and catering suppliers.
• Utilise online registration software to manage delegate bookings and take appropriate action where necessary.
• Manage onsite events requiring travel within the UK and overnight stays.
• Conduct post-event review and evaluation, capturing learning, identifying improvements and feeding insights into TVPD programme development and future delivery.
• Support the Head of Programme (TVPD) and team of Senior Project Managers by providing accurate information on event delivery, risks, dependencies and performance.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Officer (TVPD) to support the planning and implementation of marketing and communications activity regarding TVPD events, conferences, campaigns and engagement activity.
• Any other duties reasonably required by the line manager, consistent with the nature, level, and responsibilities of the role.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Education & Qualifications:

• Proficiency in written English, typically evidenced by GCSE English (grade C/4 or above), or English Functional Skills Level 2, and equivalent qualification
• Strong numeracy skills typically evidenced by GCSE Maths (grade C/4 or above), Maths Functional Skills Level 2, or equivalent 

Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience:

• Relevant experience of managing events effectively from planning through to delivery.
• Demonstrable skills of working effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of using online learning platforms, able to learn and use new systems (AoC uses Moodle learning).
• Excellent customer service skills: enjoys liaising with customers and has an excellent, professional manner during telephone, online and email communications.
• Strong verbal communication skills: friendly, helpful and authoritative while exercising diplomacy when dealing with people.
• Strong written communication skills: writes accurately, able to adapt writing style to suit document/audience
• Strong financial skills, able to create and manage budgets and analyse financial data.
• Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach
• Calm under pressure, able to manage a high volume of events simultaneously.
• Highly self-motivated: able to work effectively remotely and independently without close supervision, as well as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and high levels of accuracy in their work
• Computer confident, good skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, Teams and PowerPoint, and the use of online events and registration software.
• Demonstrates respect for equality and diversity and works to actively promote an inclusive work environment and good working relationships among colleagues.
• Demonstrates an interest in further education.

Required Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in events management is useful but not essential 

Compensation & Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave (plus 8 public bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme (up to 15% employer contributions)
• Enhanced Family Leave (including enhanced Maternity,
• Paternity and Adoption Pay)
• Electric Vehicle Salary
• Sacrifice Scheme
• Private Healthcare Scheme (upon completion of probation)
• Religious Bank Holiday
• Swap Scheme
• Flexible Working Opportunities
• Discounted Gym Membership (up to 40% off Nuffield Health Membership)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Generous Eyecare Scheme (including eye tests and glasses contribution)
• Homeworking Equipment Contribution (including £100 towards both a desk and a chair)
• Paid Volunteer Leave (up to 2 days per year)
• Employee Assistance Programme Work From Abroad (up to 3 weeks per year)
• Excellent Training Opportunities and Sponsorship of Professional Study

Working locations

• London, United Kingdom
• Weekly office attendance is expected for London, as well as ad-hoc attendance as required to meet business needs. This role also involves occasional travel within the UK to attend/coordinate on-site meetings and events, for example. 

How to apply

• Please review the full job description and person specification, which outlines the role in more detail. If you have any questions or would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact [email protected].
• If you think you have the skills, experience, and attributes to be successful in this role, we would welcome your application. Please click Apply Now.
• To be considered for this role, your application must be submitted and received by 5 pm on 22nd September 2026. Please note, we may close the advert early if we receive sufficient suitable applications or make an appointment.
• If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please email us at [email protected] to let us know or contact the HR team via telephone: 020 7034 9900.

Interviews

• Interviews will take place in person at AoC's London office on Wednesday 30th September 2026.

Policies

AoC is committed to providing equal opportunities and embracing diversity. We encourage applications from everyone and will not discriminate against any applicants based on age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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