Programmes and Events Officer

Job Title: Programmes and Events Officer 

Reporting to: Programmes Manager
Responsible for: the successful promotion and management of speaking events and in school workshops within the programmes team. 
Salary: £23,500 per annum pro rata for any reduced hours.   

For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours for example, flexible start and finish times. Please wait until the job offer stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what’s possible for the role.
Location: We are open to applications from those residing in or outside of London, where our office is based (SW1).  We have a flexible working culture including opportunities to work from home with regular office check ins. The role will involve occasional travel to other parts of the UK. 

Start date:  As soon as possible
End date: 31 August 2023 (with the potential to extend)
Job Type: Fixed Contract (with the potential to extend) 

Application Deadline:  Rolling – please apply as soon as possible and we will assess applications as they come in 

First interviews: We will contact you to arrange a Zoom interview if your application is successful

Overview of Speakers Trust 

“My students have experienced something quite rare – the space to think and the freedom to speak about hopes and fears in an entertaining, mutually respectful and intellectually dynamic workshop.” Teacher
 

 

Our vision is for young people to speak confidently and be heard.

Our work changes young people’s lives. Communication skills are vital for young people to achieve their potential at school and in work and for them to have the confidence and ability to influence social change. More than 40% of the young people we meet say they don’t have the confidence to speak in front of a group of peers. Our mission is to change this. 

We do this by delivering workshops that develop confidence and communication skills, and by providing speaking opportunities for young people to share their ideas and perspectives at events in and beyond school (Think TED style but for young people). We work with one in every five state secondary schools in England, as well as youth organisations across the UK, using face-to-face training and digital learning to reach thousands of young people each year.

We have over 15 years of experience in providing high quality, professionally delivered workshops, events and educational resources on public speaking and communications skills. We help build a stronger society in which the voices of young people are heard, whatever their background. 

Our programmes are recognised for excellence by participants, teachers, funders and most recently by the Department for Education. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. 

About the Team
Speakers Trust is made up of a dedicated and passionate team. Our work is delivered by a network of brilliant freelance trainers all over the UK and is managed by a central team. You will be joining the Programmes Team which is responsible for the successful delivery of all our work. Our office culture is supportive, friendly and ambitious. We provide opportunities for personal and professional development including yearly CPD and regular coaching and support.  

Job Purpose & Key Responsibilities
Speakers Trust works with over 700 schools as well as partners and supporters from across the third-sector. This year we will reach almost 30,000 young people in what promises to be our most wide-reaching year yet. You will be part of our central team, supporting us to manage these relationships and build new ones. This role will be vital both in helping us reach more young people – and helping ensure that those we do reach are heard and listened to. The purpose of this role is to recruit schools to participate in our programmes and coordinate workshops and events in schools and with other third sector organisations. 

In addition, the post holder will be expected to support general office management duties.   

The key responsibilities of this role are set out here.  The tasks are not a comprehensive list and other duties may be required as directed by the Line Manager. It is not expected that the post-holder will be doing all of these tasks at once.  

Coordination of Programmes and Events 

You will be expected to: 

Manage School Relationships 

• Support on the recruitment of state schools and partners across the UK to participate in all training programmes including all “Speak Out Challenge!” programmes; 
• Support schools to engage with our digital learning platforms; 

• Maintain and build school and teacher relationships; 
• Liaise with schools before workshop delivery; 
• Follow up with schools after workshop delivery; 
• Assist in the assessment, monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme; 

Liaise with the freelance delivery team: 

• Liaise with trainers to match availability to workshop dates; 
• Coordinate the day-to-day trainer delivery of the training programmes with the rest of the Programmes Team; 
• Ensure trainer team has adequate resources and supplies to deliver their training; 
• Assist in trainer team administration including invoicing and feedback. 

Event Coordination
Events and competitions play a key role in our programme – allowing us to give young people the platforms they need to be heard. Check out some of our fantastic young speakers here.
You will be expected to: 

• Support the delivery of regional events such as competitions, launches, promotional and networking events;  
• Manage competition entries across programmes- ensuring we have all relevant information and permissions including parental consent; 
• Liaise with freelance staff delivering events, ensuring they have all the correct resources and information required; 
• Help implement quality assessment protocols as agreed with funders; 

• Create and send out press releases for our events. 

Administration and Logistics of Programmes and Events   

You will be expected to:  

• Be the first port of call for workshop delivery-related enquiries; 

• Keep spread sheets, databases and contact lists up to date; 
• Collate and aggregate data and feedback, ensuring all are current; 
• Ensure compliance of child safeguarding procedures (with support of the full team); 
• Work with the Director and the Finance Manager to take responsibility for day-to-day financial checks, invoice processes and outstanding invoices.  

Office Management 

We are a small team and you will be expected to:   

• Fulfil general office duties (answering the phone, taking messages, greeting new clients, etc);  
• Provide support at office training events; 
• Organise staff general meetings and events; 

• Order and monitor office supplies and stationery; 
• Monitor the printing and allocation of training manuals and publicity materials for workshops. 

Knowledge and experience 

We value applicants with experience or knowledge of:   

• Delivering events 
• Experience of building relationships with teachers; 
• Administration
   

Qualifications and Functional Competencies 

NO DEGREE NECESSARY. To be successful in this role, you will have: 

• An outstanding level of literacy and numeracy; 
• A good level of digital literacy, including a proven ability to to quickly learn and adapt to new systems 
• Good written and verbal communication skills (including an excellent telephone manner and the ability to engage with people at all levels and the ability to write concise, coherent and accurate reports and emails;) 
• Excellent attention to detail and thorough record keeping (we deploy trainers to over 1000 workshops annually and need to ensure that we get the right person to the right place with the right materials every time); 
• A high degree of personal effectiveness (Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise and work with a high level of productivity and the ability to adhere closely to deadlines and grant requirements); 

•   Knowledge of a range of computer software packages, including MS Office, Excel spreadsheets, (ideally SalesForce) or show the desire and ability to learn;    
• Ideally, experience or knowledge of social media accounts including TikTok, Twitter and Instagram. 

Other requirements are: 

• An enhanced DBS check (or be willing to undergo a full check) as Speakers Trust is committed to the protection and safety of the young people we work with;  

• Attended safeguarding training (or be willing to attend) as Speakers Trust is committed to the protection and safety of the young people we work with;  

 

Personal / Behavioural Competencies 

You will be able to: 

• Work with colleagues collaboratively and as part of a team; 
• Manage multiple roles concurrently, effectively; 
• Take a practical approach to problem solving; 
• Take a proactive approach to your learning and development needs.   

• Work effectively under pressure; 
• Be open and honest in relationships with others; 
• Use initiative and be a self-starter;  
• Have a commitment to the development of young people;  
• Work flexibly – some evening work may be required. 

Speakers Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we particularly encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are underrepresented throughout the sector. 

Application by CV and cover letter outlining why you feel you are a good fit for the role through this form. 

If you would like to discuss the role please email claire@speakerstrust.org with any queries or to schedule a call.