Interim Head of Marketing and Events (Maternity Cover)

Railway Industry Association

About the Organisation

Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community, representing over 450 companies across the rail industry. We promote the value of rail, support innovation, and create opportunities for our members to thrive. We are seeking an Interim Marketing & Events Head to take responsibility for delivering RIA’s established events and communications programme during a period of maternity cover, ensuring continuity, quality, and strong leadership across the team.

About the role

This role focuses on running an existing, well-established events programme, leading the marketing and events team, and ensuring all outputs continue to a high standard. The postholder will provide clear leadership, sign off on work across events and communications, and ensure the agreed marketing and communications strategy is delivered consistently.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management:

• Lead and manage the Marketing & Events team, including the senior manager and Executives, setting priorities and overseeing delivery.
• Work closely with colleagues across RIA, including Member Relations, Operations, Public Affairs & PR, Exports, Innovation, Nations & Regions, and media partners.
• Provide clear leadership, oversight, and sign-off across all marketing and events outputs.

Marketing & Communications:

• Ensure continuity of RIA’s marketing and communications strategy, delivering campaigns, branding, and content that support income growth and organisational influence.
• Oversee marketing activity for events, including collateral, digital content, and social media.
• Manage in-house and outsourced designers and ensure all materials are delivered on time, to quality, and on budget.

Events Programme & Partnerships:

• Deliver RIA’s established annual events programme, including flagship conferences and awards dinner.
• Maintain oversight of budgets, pricing, sponsorship, and supplier relationships, ensuring strong delivery and financial performance.
• Lead on event and marketing partnerships and coordinate RIA’s presence at key industry events.
• Manage the overall events calendar, ensuring effective planning, resource allocation, and avoidance of clashes across the rail industry.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

• Proven experience in a senior marketing and events role, with responsibility for leading teams and programmes.
• Strong experience delivering complex events programmes in a professional, member-facing or corporate environment.
• Confident decision-maker with experience of sign-off responsibility for campaigns, events and communications.
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills, able to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Calm, proactive and solutions-focused, particularly in live event environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive maternity cover contract
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to lead a high-profile events and communications programme during a critical period.

Working locations

• London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience and availability to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged.

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