Event Manager

Job Introduction

About the Culture, Policy & Events team

Following a landmark period of investment and national attention, Bradford district is delivering one of the UK's most ambitious regeneration and growth programmes. Our Regeneration and Growth Plan, Built Different, sets out a bold vision for the future, centred on seven game-changing projects that will reshape how people live, work, invest and connect. Alongside major investment in transport, housing, town centres and the visitor economy, we're building Bradford's profile as a leading destination for culture, business, investment and opportunity.

The Council's Culture, Policy & Events Service plays an important role in delivering that ambition. Our portfolio brings together the Council's Cultural Events & Festivals Programme, Cultural Partnerships, Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants Programme, Visit Bradford, Bradford UNESCO City of Film and Place Marketing. Through these areas, we connect culture, events, tourism and place promotion with the district's wider ambitions for growth, regeneration and investment.

The service was integral to the successful delivery of Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 and continues to work alongside Bradford Culture Company and partners across the district to support its long-term legacy. We also lead Culture Is Our Plan, the district's 10-year cultural strategy for 2021-2031, working with the cultural sector and wider partners to build on Bradford's extraordinary cultural strengths.

Events are an important part of how we bring these ambitions to life. From cultural and sector development activity to business summits, investment events, conferences and major profile-raising opportunities, our events bring people together, showcase Bradford's transformation and create opportunities to experience, invest in and do business in the district.

As Events Manager, you'll work across the service and the wider Growth department to lead the development and delivery of this strategic events programme, while helping establish and grow Bradford's Conference & Events function. Working with venues and partners across the district, you'll attract new conferences and events, develop opportunities and pitches, and strengthen Bradford's position as a distinctive and ambitious place to meet, connect and do business.

About the Role & Main Responsibilities

As Events Manager, you'll play a leading role in developing and delivering a high-quality programme of strategic events that support the ambitions of our Culture, Policy & Events Service and the Council's wider Growth agenda. From cultural and sector development activity to business summits, investment events, conferences and major profile-raising opportunities, you'll use events to bring people together, showcase Bradford's transformation and support the district's cultural and economic ambitions.

A major part of the role will be helping us establish and grow Bradford's Conference & Events function. You'll proactively identify and attract new opportunities, develop compelling pitches and proposals, and build strong relationships with venues, conference and event organisers, businesses, cultural organisations and partners across the district. You'll help connect event organisers with Bradford's venues and wider offer, developing commercial and partnership opportunities that generate value for the district.

You'll be involved from opportunity and concept through to delivery and evaluation. Working across the Council and with a wide range of external partners, you'll combine strategic thinking and business development with excellent event management, ensuring our events are ambitious, well managed, safe and delivered to a consistently high standard.

This is an opportunity to shape a growing area of our work, develop Bradford's conference and events offer and deliver events that put the district's culture, transformation and ambition on a regional, national and international stage.

The main responsibilities of this role

• Lead the development, planning and delivery of strategic events supporting the priorities of Culture, Policy & Events and the Council's wider Growth ambitions, including cultural, business, investment, sector development and profile-raising activity.
• Help establish and grow Bradford's Conference & Events function, developing a coordinated district-wide offer and positioning Bradford as a competitive destination for conferences, business events and major gatherings.
• Proactively identify and attract new conference and event opportunities, managing prospective business from initial enquiry through to proposals, venue identification and conversion.
• Build strong relationships with Council-owned and independent venues, cultural organisations, businesses, event and conference organisers and strategic partners to strengthen Bradford's conference and events offer.
• Develop compelling proposals, pitches, bids and partnerships that showcase Bradford's venues, assets and wider offer and help attract regional, national and international opportunities.
• Identify and develop commercial opportunities associated with conferences and events, including appropriate commission, sponsorship, partnership and income-generating models.
• Lead events from concept through to delivery, managing project plans, budgets, procurement, suppliers, contractors, logistics and operational requirements.
• Ensure events are safe, accessible and professionally managed, overseeing appropriate event management plans, risk assessments, safeguarding, licensing, emergency procedures and other statutory requirements.
• Work closely with Council services, venues, emergency services, statutory agencies and external partners to coordinate successful event delivery and respond effectively to operational challenges.
• Work collaboratively with marketing, communications, place, culture and visitor economy colleagues to maximise the reach, profile and impact of events and ensure they contribute to wider Council priorities.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of events and the Conference & Events function, including attendance, enquiries, conversions, income, stakeholder feedback and economic impact.
• Represent Bradford at relevant industry events, networking opportunities and stakeholder forums, building relationships and promoting the district as an ambitious destination for conferences, events, culture, business and investment.

What We’re Looking For
We're looking for an experienced events professional who can combine excellent event delivery with the ability to develop new opportunities and build strong partnerships.

You'll understand how events can support wider cultural, economic, regeneration and destination ambitions, and you'll be confident taking an event from an initial idea or opportunity through to successful delivery. You'll have experience of managing complex events, budgets, suppliers and stakeholders, with a strong understanding of the operational, safety and logistical requirements behind great events. Just as importantly, you'll be outward-looking and opportunity-focused. You'll enjoy building relationships with venues, businesses, cultural organisations and event organisers, spotting opportunities and turning conversations into credible proposals and successful events. Experience of conferences, business events, venue development, commercial partnerships or attracting new event business would be particularly valuable.

You'll be a confident communicator and collaborator, comfortable working across organisational boundaries and with senior stakeholders and external partners. You'll bring commercial awareness, sound judgement and excellent organisational skills, alongside the ambition to help us grow Bradford's conference and events offer and deliver events that reflect the confidence and momentum of the district.

How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact David Watson (Assistant Director of Culture, Policy & Events) at david.watson@bradford.gov.uk.

Employee Offer
Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf 

Equal Opportunities 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.