Event Operations Manager

Founders Forum Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading growth platform to shape the future of UK tech as an Event Operations Manager. You'll deliver impactful events, collaborating with teams to innovate and support the vibrant startup community across the UK. This role requires strong project management skills and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Benefits

Competitive salary with annual bonus

25 days annual leave

Remote work options

Health insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Learning and development allowance

Quarterly team activities

Access to tech ecosystem

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years proven experience as an Events Manager.
• Strong knowledge of UK venues and suppliers.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of Tech Nation events including scheduling and budget management.
• Collaborate with Programme Leads to develop clear event briefs.
• Lead supplier sourcing and contract negotiation for events.

Skills

Project Management

Collaboration

Budget Management

Event Planning

Communication

Job description

We're looking for an Event Operations Manager to join our passionate team and play a key role in the planning and delivery of events across Tech Nation's programmes and flagship initiatives. You'll collaborate closely with teams across the organisation to bring new and existing event formats to life, creating impactful experiences that connect and support the UK's most exciting founders. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited about shaping the future of UK tech through exceptional event delivery.

Tech Nation, supercharged by Founders Forum Group, is the leading growth platform and industry body for startups and scaleups across the UK. We deliver around 80 dynamic events each year, ranging from intimate founder dinners and hands-on workshops to high-impact pitch showcases, conferences, and retreats. With event sizes typically between 20 and 200 guests, we are constantly innovating and evolving our approach to best serve our vibrant community of UK startups and scaleups.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

Event Operations & Project Management

• Own the end-to-end delivery of Tech Nation events, including scheduling, budget management, venue sourcing, catering, production, supplier coordination, staff briefings, and on-site management
• Maintain the central event schedule and ensure our Notion master plan is always up to date
• Track costs, manage forecasts, and ensure events are delivered within budget
• For larger events, create and manage detailed project plans with clear expectations, timelines, and deliverables for all stakeholders
• Lead on supplier sourcing and contract negotiation for venues, AV, catering, staffing, security, and other event needs
  
  

Collaboration & Coordination

• Collaborate with Programme Leads to develop clear event briefs, supporting them on content development, agendas, speaker requirements, and run-of-show timings
• Partner with the Marketing team to coordinate guestlists, name badges, dietary requirements, event branding, and photography/videography
• Work with the Partnerships team to ensure all partner deliverables are fulfilled in line with contractual agreements
  
  

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the creative development of events, bringing ideas that elevate the guest experience and increase event value and impact
• Participate in post-event debriefs and strategic reviews, identifying opportunities to improve processes and experiences
  
  

You'll thrive in this role if...

• Events are your passion and you have experience in planning successful events from concept to delivery
• You have entrepreneurial drive - you're creative, resilient, and self-motivated
• You're proactive, solutions-oriented, and love a challenge
• You're a collaborative team player who brings energy and positivity to every project
• You're passionate about tech, startups and innovation (Or keen to learn!)
• You're a strong communicator, comfortable engaging with senior internal stakeholders, founders, partners, and speakers
• You're a meticulous planner and can manage multiple projects simultaneously whilst maintaining a strong attention to detail
• You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and are always ready to roll up your sleeves
• You have experience in creating and managing budgets and are confident in sourcing, negotiating, and managing relationships with suppliers and vendors
  
  

Requirements

• Minimum 2+ years proven experience as an Events Manager
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Strong knowledge of UK venues and suppliers
• Able to work early mornings and weekday evenings on event days
• Happy to travel internationally occasionally if required (not guaranteed)
• Knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tech ecosystem in the UK is an advantage but not essential
• Driving licence is a bonus but not essential
• The right to work in the UK
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience, with an annual discretionary bonus
• 25 days contractual annual leave
• Enhanced discretionary leave provision, including an additional day off for your birthday and leave between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Option to work remotely anywhere in the world for 3 weeks/year (1 week at Easter and 2 weeks during July/August)
• Health insurance, with the option to add dependents
• Life Insurance
• AIG Smart Health access including online GP access and mental health support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive pension provision
• Perkbox membership with generous points allocation for day-to-day purchases
• Learning and development annual allowance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Lunch 1x/week, office snacks, and regular team drinks
• Quarterly team activities and annual team day out
• Access to the Founders Forum Group network of businesses and wider tech ecosystem
  
  

We currently have a working model of 4 days spent in the office (Mon-Thu) and 1 day with the option to work from home/remotely on a Friday.