Events & Partnerships Manager

Exchange for Change; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

34 days holiday

Hybrid working

Pension 5%

Life insurance

Private medical insurance

Income protection

Family leave

Job summary

Exchange for Change is recruiting an Events & Partnerships Manager in the UK to lead planning, delivery and evaluation of events, activations and partnerships as the Deposit Return Scheme launches in 2027. You’ll manage pilot activations, stakeholder events and consumer-facing experiences while building strategic partnerships to drive awareness and participation.

You will work with internal teams, agencies and partners to ensure activations support business aims and long-term behaviour change

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in event management, partnerships, experiential marketing or community engagement.
• Proven experience delivering events and activations from concept through to execution.
• Experience building and managing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of all Exchange for Change events.
• Identify, develop and manage strategic partnerships to support objectives.
• Manage budgets, procurement, contracts and supplier performance.
• Coordinate venues, agencies and partners; ensure on-site delivery and safety.
• Measure performance and report on outcomes for continuous improvement.

Skills

Event management

Partnerships

Experiential marketing

Community engagement

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Project management

Supplier coordination

Job description

About Us

At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.

About Us

At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.

Your role

Exchange for Change is seeking an experienced Events & Partnerships Manager to lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of our events, activations and partnership programme as we prepare for the launch of the UK Deposit Return Scheme in October 2027 and support its ongoing success thereafter.

This role will be responsible for delivering a diverse portfolio of events and grassroots activations, from pilot programmes and stakeholder engagement events through to large-scale consumer-facing experiences. The successful candidate will also identify, develop and manage strategic partnerships that help drive awareness, engagement and participation in the scheme.

Working closely with internal teams, agencies and external partners, the Events & Partnerships Manager will ensure every activation, event and partnership supports our wider business objectives and contributes to long-term behaviour change across the UK.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver the events and partnership strategy for one of the UK's most significant environmental programmes. Beyond launch, the role will play a critical part in sustaining public engagement, building advocacy, driving participation and helping to embed the Deposit Return Scheme as an everyday habit for millions of people across the country.

Key Responsibilities & Priorities

Event Planning & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of all Exchange for Change events.
• Manage pilot activations, stakeholder events and future consumer-facing experiences.
• Develop detailed event plans, timelines and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate venues, suppliers, agencies and event partners.
• Manage on-site event delivery and troubleshooting.
• Ensure all events are delivered safely, professionally and within budget.
• Support the planning and execution of regional and grassroots activations designed to engage local communities and encourage participation in recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Identify, develop and manage strategic partnerships that support Exchange for Change objectives.
• Build relationships with community organisations, local authorities, retailers, sporting organisations, charities, educational institutions and event organisers.
• Develop opportunities for Exchange for Change to participate in third-party events, festivals, exhibitions and community initiatives.
• Create partnership activation plans that extend the reach and impact of the Exchange for Change brand.
• Support grassroots engagement activity and local activation programmes that help drive awareness, understanding and behaviour change.
• Manage partnership agreements, deliverables and ongoing stakeholder relationships.

Event Strategy & Partnerships

• Develop and maintain the Exchange for Change events and activations roadmap.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and event collaborations.
• Recommend sponsorship, exhibition and speaking opportunities that align with business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with industry bodies, event organisers and key stakeholders.
• Support the development of future consumer engagement events as the scheme approaches launch.

Budget & Procurement

• Manage event and activation budgets and expenditure.
• Support procurement processes and supplier selection.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance.
• Track and report on event costs and return on investment.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with colleagues across marketing, communications, operations and legal teams.
• Coordinate agency partners and external suppliers.
• Manage relationships with speakers, exhibitors, community partners and event stakeholders.
• Act as a key point of contact for event and partnership-related enquiries.

Reporting & Evaluation

• Measure event, activation and partnership performance against agreed objectives.
• Produce post-event and post-activation reports and recommendations.
• Gather attendee and partner feedback and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor industry trends and best practice to continuously enhance the events and partnership programme.

About You

• Substantial experience in event management, partnerships, experiential marketing or community engagement.
• Proven experience delivering events and activations from concept through to execution.
• Experience building and managing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong budget management experience.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working with external suppliers, venues, agencies and partners.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Proactive and solutions-focused.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong relationship builder.
• Collaborative and team-oriented.
• Passionate about delivering high-quality experiences.

The opportunity

Work that makes a difference - and a place where you can too.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus scheme
• 34 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, additional holidays for length of service
• Flexibility with holidays. You may work on a local public holiday and take an alternative day off, giving you the freedom to celebrate the days that matter most to you.
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Life Insurance: Cover of 4 times base salary
• Private Medical Insurance: Includes GP access and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Income protection
• Family Leave: Maternity, adoption, parental, and paternity leave policies will be developed to be progressive and inclusive.
• Hybrid Working: 60% office or field-based and 40% home-based, with some flexibility according to business and personal needs.

We’re building one of the UK’s most ambitious environmental programmes.

Exchange for Change is delivering the Deposit Return Scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, helping to reduce litter, increase recycling and support a circular economy. Every bottle and can returned is a step towards a cleaner future.

We’re a team of passionate people who care about making a difference. We work collaboratively, value new ideas and support each other to do great work.

If you’re looking for a role where you can grow your career while helping to create lasting environmental impact, you’ll fit right in.