Events Operations Officer (24 MTH FTC)

Southwark Council; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwark Council in London’s dynamic outdoor events scene is seeking an experienced Events Officer to help deliver the borough’s major outdoor and commercial events.

You will oversee procurement, planning, and delivery, ensure health and safety compliance, liaise with licensing, police, TfL and SAG, and manage contractors and communities.

The role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, budget awareness, contract management, and continuous improvement to grow Southwark’s events offer.

Qualifications

• Operational and technical experience delivering large-scale outdoor or commercial events in busy urban environments.
• Confidence navigating licensing, health and safety and working with partners such as Police, LAS, TfL and SAG members.
• Strong stakeholder and client-management skills, able to collaborate with organisers, residents and internal teams.
• Solutions-focused, able to stay calm under pressure and see things through.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to work as part of a busy team.
• Commercial awareness with experience in contract management, negotiation, budgeting and income generation.
• Enthusiasm for service improvement and innovation to grow Southwark’s events programme.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key point of contact for event organisers, contractors and stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery.
• Coordinate and manage public consultation processes for major events with community input.
• Monitor event performance, gather feedback, and support continuous improvement.
• Track payments, report progress against forecasts and support financial management.
• Contribute to development and innovation of the Events Service and major events offer.
• Represent the Events Service and council at network meetings and SAG processes.

Skills

Event delivery

Licensing & safety

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Commercial awareness

Contract management

Budgeting

Income generation

Service improvement

Job description

Joining us means stepping into the vibrant surroundings of one of London’s leading destinations for outdoor events. Southwark is home to world-class cultural hubs, iconic riverside attractions along the Thames, and a thriving programme of festivals and community celebrations that draw visitors from across the capital and beyond.

Our parks, open spaces, and waterfront locations provide exceptional settings for everything from large-scale commercial events to grassroots community activities.

Southwark is incredibly diverse with its many spoken languages, cultures, and communities shaping the character of the borough. This is reflected in our workforce. With excellent transport links and easy access across London and the South East, Southwark is an exciting, well-connected place to build your events career.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme .

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

What You’ll Be Doing

Supporting the procurement, planning and successful delivery of outdoor events across the borough, with a particular focus on large-scale commercial events.

Monitoring compliance with Council policies, procedures, health and safety requirements and industry best practice, and working with other Council services, such as Licensing, to ensure relevant requirements are met.

• Acting as a key point of contact for event organisers, contractors, partners and stakeholders, providing clear guidance and ensuring smooth event delivery.
• Co-ordinating and managing public consultation processes for major events, ensuring community voices are heard and considered.
• Monitoring event performance, gather and analyse feedback, and support continuous improvement across the events programme.
• Tracking and monitoring payments, reporting progress against forecasts and supporting effective financial management.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and innovation of the Events Service, helping to grow and enhance Southwark’s major events offer.
• Representing the Events Service and the council at external network meetings as required and play an active role in the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) process.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who lives and breathes outdoor events and understands the value they bring to Southwark’s communities.

You’ll bring:

• Operational and technical experience delivering large-scale outdoor or commercial events, ideally in busy urban environments.
• Confidence navigating licensing, health and safety, and working with partners such as the Police, LAS, TfL and SAG members.
• Strong stakeholder and client-management skills, able to collaborate with organisers, residents and internal teams while representing Southwark’s interests.
• A solutions-focused approach, staying calm under pressure and seeing things through.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a busy, supportive team.
• Commercial awareness, with experience in contract management, negotiation, budgeting and income generation.
• Enthusiasm for service improvement and innovation, helping to grow Southwark’s events programme in line with our vision for an affordable, safe and green borough.

Additional Information

Please note that we are unable to accept applications from individuals who require visa sponsorship.

This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Interview date: Monday 30 November 2026

Disability Confident (guaranteed interview) scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £39,915 - £46,422