Events & Communications Manager, Urban20 London 2027

Greater London Authority; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working up to 3 days a week

Competitive salary package

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Greater London Authority seeks an experienced Events and Communications Manager to lead the marketing, communications and audience engagement for the Urban20 London Summit 2027. You will work across External Relations, Marketing, Digital and Policy to showcase London on the global stage and coordinate with partners, suppliers and delegates.

You will manage multi-channel campaigns, develop engaging content, and support event operations to ensure a high-profile, well-executed Summit with strong

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-profile, multi-channel communications and stakeholder engagement campaigns for complex programmes or international initiatives.
• Knowledge of London Government structures and how political events are managed in London and nationally.
• Experience planning and supporting event operations, logistics and delegate management for complex events with multiple partners.
• Experience operating in a politically sensitive environment and handling communications accordingly.
• Managing a large budget to deliver a high-profile campaign with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of the marketing, communications and audience engagement strategy for the Urban20 London Summit 2027 and associated programme.
• Coordinate communications across partner organisations to ensure consistent messaging and engagement.
• Manage relationships with communications agencies, creative suppliers, media partners and stakeholders.
• Lead the Urban20 Marketing and Communications Working Group to deliver an integrated programme.
• Deliver multi-channel marketing campaigns across media, digital, social, email and visual channels.
• Create and coordinate content, campaigns and stakeholder communications to maximise profile of London’s U20 Chair year.
• Support event operations, delegate management and logistics in summit delivery.
• Monitor budgets and procurement activity to ensure value for money and successful delivery.
• Prepare briefings, reports and presentations for senior leaders and the Mayor.

Skills

Multi-channel comms

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Event operations

Data-driven evaluation

Job description

About The Team

Events for London delivers some of the capital's most significant and high-profile events on behalf of the Mayor of London. From major public celebrations and cultural programmes to international summits, the team brings together partners from across London, the UK and around the world to showcase the capital, support Mayoral priorities and create lasting economic, social and cultural impact.

About The Team

Events for London delivers some of the capital's most significant and high-profile events on behalf of the Mayor of London. From major public celebrations and cultural programmes to international summits, the team brings together partners from across London, the UK and around the world to showcase the capital, support Mayoral priorities and create lasting economic, social and cultural impact.

As part of the External Relations unit, the team leads the planning and delivery of events that strengthen London's global reputation, convene influential leaders and organisations, celebrate the capital's diversity, and create opportunities for meaningful engagement on the issues that matter most to Londoners and cities around the world.

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of the Urban20 (U20) London Summit 2027, one of the Mayor of London's most significant international engagements. As Events and Communications Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of an integrated marketing, communications and audience engagement programme that promotes London’s role as Chair and host city of the U20 network. Working across communications, events and stakeholder engagement, you will help shape how London presents itself to a global audience, ensuring the Summit and associated programme achieve maximum profile, influence and impact. You will work closely with colleagues across the GLA, international city networks, commercial partners and delivery suppliers to coordinate communications activity, support event delivery and create a compelling experience for delegates and stakeholders. This role combines strategic communications expertise with practical event delivery, offering the opportunity to work on a high-profile international programme that will strengthen London’s position as a leading global city. What your day will look like You'll work across a broad range of communications, engagement and event delivery activities, helping to ensure the Urban20 London Summit reaches audiences locally, nationally and internationally. A typical day could involve coordinating campaign activity with communications teams from partner organisations, developing content and engagement plans, reviewing media opportunities, briefing senior stakeholders or leading meetings with suppliers and agencies responsible for creative, digital or communications delivery. You may also be working closely with event delivery colleagues to integrate communications activity into operational plans, delegate management and programme delivery. You'll collaborate with teams across External Relations, Marketing, Digital, International Relations and Policy to ensure messaging is aligned, audiences are engaged and communications activity supports wider Mayoral priorities. Alongside managing budgets and project plans, you'll use insight and performance data to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve campaign activity. As the Summit approaches, you'll play a key role in coordinating communications, stakeholder engagement and event operations, ensuring delegates, partners and audiences experience a well-managed and impactful programme that enhances London's global reputation and contributes to the success of the U20 Chair year.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead the development and delivery of the marketing, communications and audience engagement strategy for the Urban20 London Summit 2027 and associated programme.
• Coordinate communications activity across partner organisations to ensure consistent messaging, branding and audience engagement.
• Manage relationships with communications agencies, creative suppliers, media partners and key stakeholders.
• Lead the Urban20 Marketing and Communications Working Group, bringing together partners to deliver an integrated communications programme.
• Deliver multi-channel marketing campaigns across media, digital, social, email and visual communications platforms.
• Create and coordinate content, campaigns and stakeholder communications that maximise the profile and impact of London's U20 Chair year.
• Work closely with event delivery teams to integrate communications activity into event operations, delegate experience and programme delivery.
• Support the planning and delivery of Summit activity, including stakeholder engagement, logistics and delegate management.
• Manage marketing and communications budgets, procurement activity and supplier performance to ensure value for money.
• Monitor and evaluate communications performance, using data and insight to improve campaign effectiveness and audience reach.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, reports and presentation materials for senior leaders, the Mayor and other stakeholders.
• Support Mayoral visits, stakeholder engagement activity and high-profile events associated with the Urban20 programme.
• Build strong relationships across the GLA, international city networks and external partners to support successful programme delivery.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends to support the planning and delivery of the Urban20 London Summit 2027 and associated events.

Skills, Knowledge And Experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience of developing and delivering high-profile, multi-channel communications and stakeholder engagement campaigns for complex programmes, events or international initiatives.
• Knowledge of the structure of London Government, particularly the respective roles of Local Authorities, the Mayor and GLA and National Government; and a good understanding of how political events are managed and administered in London and nationally.
• Experience of planning and supporting event operations, logistics and delegate management for complex events involving multiple stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Experience of operating in a politically sensitive environment and handling communications in this environment.
• Managing a large budget to deliver a high-profile campaign, working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of using data, insight and evaluation to inform marketing and communications strategy.
• Experience of planning and delivering operational comms for a major event.

This role is based at City Hall, Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE).

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager David Holley would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at [email protected]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the [email protected] who support the GLA with recruitment.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment. The interview/assessment date is: W/c 7 Dec 2026 (may be subject to change).

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office. In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments.

• 30 days’ annual leave
• interest free season ticket loan
• interest free bicycle loan
• career average pension scheme

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying.

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months service with the GLA

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed. If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT

If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment. If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact [email protected].