Conference and Events Manager

St Edmund Hall; Oxford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days annual leave (24 working days+

Free lunch on duty

Subsidised transport options

Electric vehicle scheme

USS pension

Job summary

St Edmund Hall in Oxford seeks a Conference & Events Manager to lead the Conference and Events Office, ensuring events are planned and delivered to a high standard.

The role focuses on developing commercial opportunities, building relationships with clients, and collaborating with students, Fellows and staff to maximise use of College facilities.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing conferences, events, hospitality or commercial operations in a customer-focused environment.
• Excellent organisational, communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience of marketing events and using booking or event management systems such as Kinetics and University Rooms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the Conference and Events Office.
• Act as the principal point of contact for College dining and events.
• Identify new business opportunities and develop relationships with new and existing clients.
• Oversee events from initial enquiry and planning through to delivery, financial administration and follow-up.

Skills

Customer service

Organisational skills

Communication

Relationship management

Tools

Kinetics

University Rooms

Job description

Based in the heart of Oxford on Queen’s Lane, St Edmund Hall is a vibrant and historic college with a diverse community of students, Fellows and staff. The College hosts a wide range of internal and external events throughout the year, including formal dinners, conferences, summer schools, weddings and visitor accommodation.

The Conference & Events Manager will play a key and highly visible role within the College, overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Conference and Events Office and acting as the principal point of contact for College dining and events. The successful candidate will work closely with students, Fellows, staff and external clients to ensure events are planned and delivered to a consistently high standard.The role also has a strong commercial development focus, with responsibility for identifying new business opportunities, developing relationships with new and existing clients, maximising the use of College facilities and contributing to increased commercial income. The postholder will be responsible for overseeing events from initial enquiry and planning through to delivery, financial administration and follow-up.

You will have significant experience of managing conferences, events, hospitality or commercial operations in a customer-focused environment, together with excellent organisational, communication and relationship management skills. You will be confident managing competing priorities, leading and supporting staff, working with a wide range of stakeholders and responding calmly and professionally to changing circumstances.

Experience of working within the Oxford collegiate system, higher education or a heritage venue would be advantageous, as would experience of marketing events and using booking or event management systems such as Kinetics and University Rooms.

• 32 days’ annual leave, comprising 24 working days plus 8 public holidays, with additional leave after 5 years’ service.
• Additional leave during the Christmas and New Year closure period.
• Free lunch whilst on duty when the College kitchen is open.
• Subsidised bus pass, rail and cycle schemes.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• Free annual flu vaccination.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discounts across University and College facilities.
• Access to University museums, libraries, the Botanic Garden and other facilities.
• Membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

• A Cover Sheet detailing the names and contact details of two referees.
• A current CV.
• A covering letter explaining how they meet the selection criteria for the post.

Interviews are expected to be held in Oxford on Thursday, 1 October 2026.

The Equal Opportunities policy of the College requires that all staff are offered equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria related to the post.

Disability Support

The College welcomes applications from candidates who have a disability or long-term health condition and is committed to providing long-term support. Please let us know if you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, including documents such as job descriptions in large print, audio or other formats, or if you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process. Any such information will be held separately from your recruitment application and will not be considered as part of the selection process.

Recruitment Monitoring

Please also consider completing the online Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form . Submission of this form is voluntary and does not form part of the selection process, but we would be grateful if you are willing to return it with your application to assist us with our equal opportunity monitoring.

Right to Work in UK

Please note that St Edmund Hall is unable to sponsor a visa for this post. Applicants must therefore already have the right to work in the UK.