International Research Event Lead

MND Association; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

UK healthcare access

GP access 24/7

Life assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Benefit Hub discounts

Enhanced pension

Training & development

Hybrid working

Job summary

MND Association in Northampton is seeking an experienced Senior International Symposium Co-ordination Lead to own the planning and delivery of the annual International Symposium on ALS/MND, our flagship global research event. You will work with the Chief Scientist to drive collaboration, accelerate research, and elevate the Association’s global reputation.

The role requires strategic governance, multi-stream project management, and expert stakeholder engagement across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale, complex events or projects, ideally with international audience.
• Accountable lead for multi-stream projects involving significant budgets and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience leading matrix teams across functions and seniority levels.
• Formal project or programme management qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent project planning, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong budget management, risk management, and decision-making capability.
• Experience delivering international conferences, research events, or scientific symposia.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and process design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of the International Symposium, providing overall coordination and accountability.
• Develop and manage the master project plan, ensuring all workstreams remain aligned and on track.
• Provide strategic leadership on governance, risk management, and decision-making.
• Provide strategic oversight of logistics and programme delivery.
• Provide oversight of supplier performance, ensuring high standards, compliance, and value for money.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across the MND Association to ensure aligned and seamless International Symposium delivery.
• Accountable with the Chief Scientist for budget forecasting, monitoring, and reporting for the Symposium.
• Oversight of contractual sponsorship fulfilment and partnership commitments.
• Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems, and event delivery.

Skills

Large-scale events

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Project planning

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Project/Programme management qualification

Job description

We are seeking a senior-level professional with extensive experience of leading complex, high-profile internationals events or projects and in establishing robust governance, integrated delivery plans and budgets while coordinating cross-functional stakeholders to deliver work-class outcomes.

As our International Symposium Co-ordination Lead, and working closely with our Chief Scientist, you will take ownership of the planning and delivery of the annual International Symposium on ALS/MND, the flagship global research event delivered by the Motor Neurone Disease Association. This is a unique opportunity for an International Symposium Co-ordination Lead to grow a world-leading event that drives collaboration, accelerates research, and strengthens the MND Association's global reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of the International Symposium, providing overall coordination and accountability.
• Develop and manage the master project plan, ensuring all workstreams remain aligned and on track.
• Provide strategic leadership on governance, risk management, and decision-making.
• Provide strategic oversight of logistics and programme delivery.
• Provide oversight of supplier performance, ensuring high standards, compliance, and value for money.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across the MND Association to ensure aligned and seamless International Symposium delivery.
• Accountable with the Chief Scientist for budget forecasting, monitoring, and reporting for the Symposium.
• Oversight of contractual sponsorship fulfilment and partnership commitments.
• Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems, and event delivery.

About You

Essential

• Significant experience leading large-scale, complex events or projects, ideally with an international audience.
• Experience as the accountable lead for multi-stream projects involving significant budgets and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience leading matrix teams across different functions and seniority levels.
• Formal project or programme management qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent project planning, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong budget management, risk management, and decision-making capability.
• Experience delivering international conferences, research events, or scientific symposia.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and process design.

Hybrid working expectations: 1 day per week attendance at our Northampton office. This role may involve international travel from time to time. Please ensure you have, or canobtain, the appropriate documentation required for travel outside the UK.

Further information about working for the MND Association and full job description is available in the attached Candidate Pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

What We Offer

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development
• Hybrid working

About Us

MotorNeuroneDisease moves fast. It takes away time, it takes awayindependenceand it has no cure. Every day we support people affected by MND.Wefundground-breaking research. We campaign for better care.We’rehere for everyone who needs us. Because with MND,every daymatters.