Events Manager - London

This is a great opportunity to join the leading global provider of drinks education at a time of exciting change, helping to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world.

WSET’s purpose is to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines, spirits and sake.

We are the world’s leading provider of qualifications in wines, spirits, beer and sake, delivering over 140,000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).

WSET is a global organisation and we are proud to have people who work for us all over the world. We have people in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA as well as the UK.

The successful applicant will contribute to a culture of integrity, empowerment, dynamism, and inclusivity within WSET.

Any offer of employment or your ongoing employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a thorough background check by an independent third party. NB – If you currently work for one of WSET’s APPs (Approved Programme Provider), you may not be eligible to apply for this role subject to your future career plans and the nature of that role. If you work for an APP either in a self-employed or employed capacity and would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact the hiring manager.

Overview of Role

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Events Manager with a passion for delivering impactful activity and engaging global audiences.

Working in close collaboration with the Head of Events & Partnerships, the Events Manager will lead the programming and execution of a global digital and in-person events programme This role would suit a creative, collaborative and highly organised individual with excellent communication skills. We are looking for someone who is experienced in end-to-end event management and event marketing to help us develop brand awareness, build our prospect pipeline and engage a community of drinks professionals and enthusiasts around the world.

As well as delivering our global events programme (weighted towards digital events), you will be responsible for identifying new opportunities for third party event collaborations, contributing ideas to enhance our existing portfolio and ensuring that global event processes are adopted across all regional events.

Key events that this role is responsible for include:

• Annual Graduation and prizes
• Global APP Summit (annual digital event for WSET course providers)
• Global events hub webinar programme
• Campaign specific events

Our events programme is evolving so flexibility and a passion for both digital and in-person events is essential.

Key activities include:

• Manage all aspects of WSET’s Events Hub webinar programme (approx. 24 sessions annually), including planning and delivery of sessions, audience communication, researching and curating sessions in line with global marketing themes, securing a diverse range of speakers, collaborating cross functionally and managing our YouTube on-demand library and community feed
• End-to-end event management of WSET’s flagship events: Graduation and prizes (hybrid) and the Global APP Summit (virtual)
• Supporting delivery of alumni events, trade and consumer shows
• Writing engaging copy and building event communications: invitations, reminders, post event follow ups
• Collaboration with global marketing team to develop event promotional plans, promotional assets and ensure the WSET brand is represented in line with guidelines
• Ensuring global events processes are adopted across all global and regional events from the event brief through to the post event report
• Managing third party supplier relationships
• Ensuring events are delivered within budget and in accordance with objectives
• Carrying out contingency planning, risk assessments and health and safety procedures
• Providing events consultancy and best practice guidance to teams across WSET.
• Contribute to the successful overall operation of the Trust by undertaking such other tasks as may from time to time be requested.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and responsibilities will evolve in accordance with strategic priorities and team objectives.

Essential skills and competencies

• Extensive end to end event management experience across in-person and digital events with a proven track record of achieving positive results and delivering high quality activity
• Experience of delivering inclusive digital events on an international scale, particularly across APAC, Americas and EMEA
• Experience of developing event programmes using data and market insights
• Experience of producing inspiring and engaging copy for a range of event communications
• An understanding of events marketing to create opportunities and optimise success.
• Experienced using events management and email platforms: Accel Events (or similar), Eventbrite, Zoom and Dot Digital
• Experience of building and managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent budget management and reporting skills
• Experience appointing and managing third party suppliers and freelancers.
• A knowledge of latest events trends and technologies
• A flexible approach with the ability to prioritise workload, operate under pressure and confidently make decisions.
• A team player with a positive and proactive attitude
• Willingness to travel and work outside of standard office hours including evenings and weekends during busy event periods.

Desirable skills and competencies

• Professional events or marketing qualification
• Proficiency in CRM, ideally Microsoft Dynamics
• Design experience using Figma

Definitions:

Fully remote – Can be performed entirely remotely from any location.

Hybrid remote – Performed as a mixture of in-office and remote work.

Temporarily remote – Performed in a single location, such as an office or at a job site, but which is temporarily remote during special circumstances).

UK Benefits

Annual Leave – 27 days pa + public holidays, increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days

Pension (Generous options available after three months)

Health insurance (after three months):

Vitality scheme – post probation – Access to virtual GP appointments, Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks, Cinema Tickets, Apple Watch, Cash Back on Waitrose shopping, 75% off at Champneys, 6 month subscription with HeadSpace, Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms, Smoking Cessation day worth £300 and half price health screens

Eye voucher scheme

Food and drink in the office

Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks, fruit, cereals, soups

Season ticket & gym membership loan scheme

Group income protection scheme

EAP

24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors

Death in service

4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family

Enhanced family friendly leave and pay

Celebration vouchers

Cycle2Work scheme

Discretionary bonus

Development – WSET’s in-house training and qualifications in Wines, Spirits, Sake and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities