Role Introduction

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and implement an outstanding Events and Engagement programme to help grow support for, and engagement with, the College and its purposes. Reporting to the Director of Communications, Engagement and Development, the Events and Engagement Officer will develop and implement an ambitious and wider ranging events and engagement programme for the College community which includes current and past parents, Old Etonians and other supporters of the College. The programme will include both small and large events from lunches, dinners, receptions, and alumni reunions to bespoke donor visits to the College. In addition, there will be opportunities to work with the Partnerships team to create conferences bringing teachers to Eton from all over the country to share ideas and professional best practice. These are intended to become key events in the educational calendar.

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

For information about how to apply please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification

Main Duties

• Work with the Director of Communications, Engagement and Development to create and implement a highly ambitious and sustainable events and engagement strategy and programme for current and potential donors and supporters at all levels; events will be wide-ranging and will, for example, include lunches, dinners, receptions, and alumni reunions;
• Working with the Partnerships team to create and lead sector-leading educational conferences – showcasing the best in education and helping inspire teachers with new possibilities;
• Create a programme of engagement events to draw stakeholders closer to the College and understand its purposes;
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure a coherent and integrated approach to stewardship within the Development team;
• Work closely with the Old Etonian Association in support of the College’s alumni engagement programme;
• Work with the Communications team to ensure that all engagement activities are coordinated with the Communications function;
• Create and implement systems for evaluating the effectiveness of conferences, events and stewardship activities;
• Develop effective data driven strategies in support of events and engagement activities;
• Support events and engagement through the implementation of strong support systems, and day-to-day practices;
• Ensure all events activities undertaken in support of the College are performed to the highest standards;
• Work with internal and external stakeholders, volunteers, and other supporters to maximise their relationships and networks;
• Produce timely, relevant, and accurate reports;
• Work with the Director of Communications, Engagement and Development to create and implement a highly ambitious and sustainable events and engagement strategy and programme for current and potential donors and supporters at all levels; events will be wide-ranging and will, for example, include lunches, dinners, receptions, and alumni reunions;
• Working with the Partnerships team to create and lead sector-leading educational conferences – showcasing the best in education and helping
  inspire teachers with new possibilities;
• Create a programme of engagement events to draw stakeholders closer to the College and understand its purposes;
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure a coherent and integrated approach to stewardship within the Development team;
• Work closely with the Old Etonian Association in support of the College’s alumni engagement programme;
• Work with the Communications team to ensure that all engagement activities are coordinated with the Communications function;
• Create and implement systems for evaluating the effectiveness of conferences, events and stewardship activities;
• Develop effective data driven strategies in support of events and engagement activities;
• Support events and engagement through the implementation of strong support systems, and day-to-day practices;
• Ensure all events activities undertaken in support of the College are performed to the highest standards;
• Work with internal and external stakeholders, volunteers, and other supporters to maximise their relationships and networks;
• Produce timely, relevant, and accurate reports;
• Manage budgets and optimise relationships with supplier networks;
• Work closely with the College operations team to optimise use of internal resources and ensure all events are delivered in line with College processes and protocols;
• Ensure that all activities comply fully with the relevant data protection and any other legislation in the UK and overseas;
• Carry out other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Director of Communications, Engagement and Development;
• Support the delivery of the College’s charitable vision, by attending events and presentations and acting as a strong ambassador for Eton;
• Commitment and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including by not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an ambitious and skilled Events & Engagement professional with demonstrable experience of conceiving and implementing complex events and engagement programmes and the confidence to work with our wider external relations team to reshape what we do for the future. You must bring both strategic and tactical approaches, combining the ability to think ahead with the willingness to personally deliver on the detail. Over time this role may become a leadership role as the team grows.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
The following are viewed as essential qualities for the post:
• Demonstrable experience of successful and sophisticated events management to include: taking or creating a brief, planning the event, setting targets, aligning all resources, communications and promotion, managing budgets and suppliers, event delivery and follow up;
• Proven track record of developing and implementing complex engagement strategies for stakeholders;
• Strong team player;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Natural gravitas;
• High levels of commercial awareness, tact, and discretion;
• Experience of CRM systems (ThankQ preferred);
• Energy, resourcefulness, and tenacity;
• Passion for the transformational impact of education and empathy with the College’s Aims and Vision;
• An appreciation of tradition and history as well as innovation;
• Values and promotes diversity and inclusion and has the skills to support an inclusive and diverse school community;
• Awareness and understanding of the safeguarding and welfare of children and a clear commitment to delivering best practice in safeguarding;
To be successful in the role, the incumbent should also be:
• An individual with exacting standards and high attention to detail;
• A self-starter with initiative, confidence, drive and flexibility.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, free eyecare vouchers, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

About the College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, an online search and, where applicable, a Barred List, Prohibition and EEA checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

Eton College