Head of Global Events

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

About the Organisation

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is the UK's chartered professional body dedicated to educating, developing and regulating actuaries based both in the UK and internationally.  The IFoA regulates and represents over 34,000 members worldwide, overseeing their actuarial education at all stages of qualification and development throughout their careers. We set examinations, continuing professional development, professional codes and disciplinary standards for our members. 

About the role

The Head of Global Events is the strategic and operational leader responsible for defining, planning and delivering the institute's global events portfolio to meet the IFoA's strategic and commercial objectives. The postholder oversees the development of the IFoA's world-class events proposition and calendar, driving awareness of the actuarial profession, supporting member acquisition, and fostering long-term engagement across the institute's global community.

The role is responsible for developing and executing the global events strategic plan and calendar, approximately 80+ events annually, including key conferences, sessionals and digital event programmes, and for delivering delegate and sponsorship income targets representing c.25% of the IFoA's operating revenue.

Decision-Making and Complexity

The post holder has autonomous decision-making responsibility for the day-to-day running of the global events team and is accountable for budget and supplier/vendor selection. Decisions are made within organisational and departmental policies and guidelines. The role requires constant tracking of a large portfolio of events while maintaining an overview of the longer-term pipeline. This involves continuous assessment and management of staff, volunteer and financial resources, and close monitoring of events 6 - 12 months ahead to ensure timely progress. The postholder must balance the needs of volunteers across all practice areas, career stages and learning formats.

Responsibilities

Principal Accountabilities:

• Develop and deliver the IFoA events strategic plan and calendar to meet strategic and commercial priorities, leading horizon scanning and competitive analysis to ensure the IFoA innovates and retains a competitive advantage in its events proposition.
• Lead, manage, develop and mentor the Events team, including events management, event marketing, sales and exhibition management, ensuring an effective, high-performing function.
• Manage the creation, delivery, tracking, forecasting and reconciliation of more than 80 conference and event budgets within a total portfolio budget of c.£3m.
• Ensure process and delivery optimisation, planning and effective time management so that all events are delivered on time, to budget and to quality targets.
• Manage relationships with volunteer leaders and groups who generate ideas and content for existing and new events, ensuring a continuous pipeline of programmes while meeting budget objectives.
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders who contribute to and benefit from the events produced.
• Lead the management of, and regularly negotiate, relationships with venues, vendors and suppliers to ensure value for money and the most favourable rates.
• Drive and grow delegate and member satisfaction, learning opportunities and experience ratings from the events portfolio.
• Lead on events audit processes, risk management, reporting and continuous improvement of the function.
• As a senior leader, participate actively in the leadership and management of staff and operations across the Membership group.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge & Experience:

• Proven track record of leading the development, management and delivery of multi-format events in a commercial, global environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience developing high-value event propositions.
• Strong delivery mindset with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage time-sensitive, competing priorities.
• Financial skills to report on and manage a portfolio of events and budgets with a turnover of c.£3m per year.
• Ability to influence and manage relationships with volunteer leaders and groups at all levels of seniority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional collaborator with strong stakeholder management, diplomacy and international cultural fluency.
• Strong people management and development experience.
• Commitment to professional ethics, integrity and inclusion.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK

Working locations

• Home-based 

How to apply

• Please email the HR Team if you require:
  • Any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
  • Any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process
• To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to [email protected] by the closing date of Wednesday 22nd July 2026.
• Please note that this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we’d encourage you to get your application in as soon as possible.
• Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions. You can reach us at [email protected].

Policies

The IFoA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and experience and welcomes diversity with regard not only to protected characteristics but also diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against.

Consequently, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all our policies, practices and procedures, and actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. All applications for our roles are considered on merit alone, and if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have something to offer, we want to hear from you. For more information on our commitments, please see our DEI strategy page. 

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