Event & Activation Manager

JLL; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global real estate firm seeks an experienced Event & Activation Manager to oversee diverse event portfolios for a major client. The role requires strategic planning and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Ideal candidates will have a background in large-scale event management and knowledge of health and safety legislation. You will coordinate between multiple teams, manage direct reports, and ensure the successful execution of a range of events ranging from music festivals to retail activations.

Qualifications

• Experience in large-scale production management required.
• Strong understanding of Health and Safety legislation needed.
• Ability to develop event management plans and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Guide stakeholders through collaborative approaches to activations.
• Lead strategic event management, focusing on safety plans and objectives.
• Manage and develop one direct report, an Event & Activation Assistant.

Skills

Event management

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

IOSH / NEBOSH qualification

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way .

Our people at JLL and JLL Technologies are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

Join the JLL team and play a pivotal role as an Event & Activation Manager on the Hammerson account, a key client for JLL. In this role, you will consult, influence, and guide the event and activation experiences across Hammerson's destinations. You will be a strategic advisor, working closely with the Hammerson Marketing & Placemaking and Brand Partnerships Teams.

As the Event & Activation Manager, you will oversee a diverse portfolio of experiences that span the cultural landscape whilst consistently delivering exceptional creative execution. Your remit will cover everything from live music festivals and sporting events to light shows, art installations, and retail brand activations. This offers the opportunity to develop expertise across multiple event categories, from intimate VIP gatherings to mass‑attendance public experiences.

You will also serve as an influential coordinator between the centralised Hammerson teams, the JLL Property & Asset Management team, and the Destination teams, building consensus among multiple stakeholders. Critically, you will provide expert guidance and risk management from initial concept development through to seamless execution.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with Hammerson’s Marketing & Placemaking and Brand Partnerships Teams, Destination teams, and relevant key stakeholders
• Develop and build relationships with new and existing retail tenants across the destinations
• Work closely with Brand and sponsorship partners for large scale events i.e. live boxing, live music festivals
• Support decision‑making processes through expert advice

Planning and Strategy

• Lead on strategic event management approaches, safety plans, timelines, schedules, and event objectives
• Liaise with the client’s insurers, providing event specific information to support risk management

Advise on legislative and licensing requirements

• Offer technical expertise to enhance production requirements, budgets and schedules
• Recommend solutions for power, water and plumbing requirements for each event
• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials for Destination teams and Event Organisers
• Facilitate pre‑event planning meetings to ensure all site needs are considered

Health, Safety & Security

• Support the development of event safety plans, all aspects of compliance and health & safety to include risk assessments, insurance requirements and safe ways of working
• Ensure compliance with JLL Working Practices Manual where applicable
• Ensure all H&S and Environmental statutory and the managing agent’s best practice procedures and systems are complied with
• Work with Security Leads on protective security measures, including risk assessment, crowd management strategies, evacuation plans, personnel training, and emergency response planning, with particular focus on The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act - (Martyn's Law) requirements
• Compile and upload all event management documentation to JLL's designated risk management platform, ensuring comprehensive compliance and facilitating access to critical information.

Supplier Engagement

• Guide suppliers to ensure alignment with site plans, safety information and production schedules
• Communicate destination contractor management, permit requirements and access protocols
• Provide oversight during build, event, and break down stages

Team Leadership

• Guide internal stakeholders through collaborative approaches to ‘best in class’ activations
• Foster strong stakeholder relationships through effective communication
• Manage and develop one direct report – an Event & Activation Assistant

Post‑Evaluation

• Facilitate feedback sessions, analyse event performance, and recommend improvements
• Document any incidents and near‑misses in compliance with JLL’s Health & Safety system and support the reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) where applicable

The Candidate

We are seeking candidates with relevant experience in event management and large‑scale production management. Candidates should possess excellent communication and collaborative skills, with a deep understanding of developing events which are both safe and attractive to diverse audiences.

Experience in managing headline talent and developing event management plans and risk assessments are crucial to success in this role. The right candidate will excel at building relationships with internal and external stakeholders and have comprehensive knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act, The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act - (Martyn's Law) and other relevant H&S and crowd management legislation.

A recognised and certificated H&S qualification (IOSH / NEBOSH) is desirable. We are ideally looking for a candidate who can provide strategic guidance to stakeholders throughout the planning and delivery process for complex activations either in a single site or portfolio wide.

Competencies and Attributes

• Strong organisational skills – ability to multitask and prioritise workload
• Communication – ability to communicate to all levels of the business effectively
• Good written work – ability to report to management and the Client with clarity on operational issues, in a correct and precise manner
• Ability to work on your own initiative, to listen and willingness to learn
• Commercial acumen, including ancillary revenue generation and ticketing

Strong stakeholder management skills

Team player – maintain close working relationships with all other employees of the business to assist in the facilitation of projects

Location

• On‑site – Birmingham, GBR
• On‑site – Bristol, GBR
• On‑site – London, GBR
• On‑site – Reading, GBR

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! If you require any changes to the application process, please email or call + 44 ( 0 ) 20 7493 4933 to contact one of our team members to discuss how to best support you throughout the process. Please note, the contact details provided are to discuss or request for adjustments to be made to the hiring process. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page.

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