Hybrid Conference & Partnerships Lead

The Open University; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

The Open University is seeking a Conference and Events Manager within OU Validation Partnerships (OUVP) to lead planning and delivery of the 2027 OUVP conference and other engagement activities.

With responsibility for developing detailed project plans, coordinating logistics, budgets, stakeholder communications and post‑event reporting, you will work closely with internal teams and partner institutions to ensure timely, high‑quality outcomes in a hybrid working pattern based at Milton Keynes.

Qualifications

• Event or project management experience, including schedules, risks and issues, deadlines.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail with multiple tasks.
• Strong numeracy and ICT skills to manage information and produce reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; audience-appropriate materials.
• Interpersonal and negotiating skills to build relationships across stakeholders.
• Proactive, use of initiative and problem solving in changing environments.
• Ability to work cooperatively in various teams and align with equality policies.
• Experience in higher education or partnerships is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and monitor a detailed project plan for the 2027 OUVP conference and associated activities.
• Coordinate conference logistics, scheduling, venue, delegate communications and materials.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support conference programme delivery.
• Coordinate conference content, calls for contributions, speaker liaison and post-event outputs.
• Draft and track conference communications with contributors, delegates and partners.
• Maintain records, action logs, risk registers and issues logs.
• Monitor budget, procurement and value-for-money for the conference.
• Ensure materials align with OU branding and audience needs.
• Support conference evaluation, feedback collection and learning for future engagement.
• Prepare agendas, papers and minutes for planning meetings.
• Support other OU partnerships activities, including webinars and communities of practice.

Skills

Event management

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Problem solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Open University is seeking a Conference and Events Manager within OU Validation Partnerships (OUVP) to lead planning and delivery of the 2027 OUVP conference and other engagement activities.

With responsibility for developing detailed project plans, coordinating logistics, budgets, stakeholder communications and post‑event reporting, you will work closely with internal teams and partner institutions to ensure timely, high‑quality outcomes in a hybrid working pattern based at Milton Keynes.