Head of Events

Royal Commonwealth Society

Length of contract
6 month

Salary
£41,999 - £42,000 per year

About the Organisation

Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education, and high-level advocacy, the Society champions the importance of literacy, equality and inclusion, the environment, and connected communities across the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations.

The Society’s unique position within the Commonwealth family allows it to play a pivotal role in convening and connecting the Commonwealth’s political and diplomatic representatives, as well as industry, civil society, academic, and business leaders, on a wide range of issues. Founded in 1868, the RCS is non-partisan, independent of government, and relies on public generosity to achieve its mission.

About the role

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.

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. 

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in end-to-end event management, ideally involving ceremonial, charitable, corporate, and diplomatic contexts.
• Demonstrated success in delivering high-profile and fundraising events, including managing complex stakeholder groups.
• Outstanding organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.
• High level of confidence and professionalism in dealing with VIPs, diplomatic missions, and senior-level stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and supplier contracts effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a calm and solution-focused approach under pressure.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and event management platforms.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable:

• Experience working with Royal Households, non-profit, diplomatic, corporate, and government sectors.
• Experience and understanding of the principles of major gifts fundraising in a charity and not-for-profit.
• Excellent communications and engagement skills across a variety of stakeholders, high-net-worth individuals, trustees, and corporate leaders.
• Understanding of Commonwealth affairs and international ceremonial protocols.
• Familiarity with fundraising through events and collaborating with donor or sponsor partners.
• Experience managing youth-focused or educational events

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in the UK

Working locations

• 65 Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5DZ

How to apply

• Applicants should send a CV (1-2 pages) and statement of suitability outlining how you meet the above person specification and why you would like to work for the Society to Bradley Sisson at [email protected] with 'Head of Events Application – (your last name)' as the subject of the email. 

Interviews

• Interviews will be held between Wednesday, 1st October and Friday, 3rd October 2025

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