Event Operations Manager

Full-Time (40 hours per week), Full-Year

Fixed-Term Contract – 1 Year

The Whitgift School Facilities & Estates Department is responsible for the maintenance and development of the 48-acre Haling Park site in South Croydon. As home to a 1550-pupil leading independent school with an impressive academic and sporting record, the requirement to provide first class facilities is a challenging, but exciting task for all of those involved. The Event Operations Manager will work closely with the Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities who leads the Maintenance, Facilities, Sports Facilities, Audio Visual & Production and Porters Teams.

The School operates a busy year-round calendar, which requires extensive planning to ensure that events can take place at the best time in the best venue. Many events take place annually, but events are always added and vary from term to term and year to year. This means that all elements need to be considered, including set up/strike of the event, furniture, decoration, catering, cleaning and AV support, as well as impacts on other activities which may require alternative provision. Flexibility should be given, but there must also be a strict deadline, to ensure the provision of the above involvements. 

The Event Operations Manager will manage the day to day running of the site. This includes logistics/co-ordination, provision of facilities, catering for events, cleaning, security and health and safety. The day-to-day management of a number of these tasks is delegated to Heads of Teams, but the Event Operations Manager will be available to provide advice, guidance and decisions on the broader issues relating to day-to-day operations.

The duties of the Event Operations Manager are at the discretion of the Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities, in line with those set out below and including such additional related tasks as the Director of Estates & Facilities may from time to time determine. The post is offered as a fixed-term contract so that the logistics of a calendar year can be documented for future reference in order to streamline processes. It is anticipated that improvements in calendaring generally may result in a shift in focus in the future, but it is likely that a similar role will become an embedded component of the Estates & Facilities Department.

We welcome applications from all sectors of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the contract.

For further information about the role and the skills required, select the white 'documents available' button at the top left of the advertisement and the green 'apply' button on the top right for the online application form. For any queries, please telephone Human Resources Department on 020 8688 9222 or e-mail SchoolHR@whitgift.co.uk .

Applications will be reviewed daily, so we invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Interviews may take place at any time prior to the closing date.                                                     

Whitgift School (part of the John Whitgift Foundation) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers, the Disclosure & Barring Service and on-line checks (including personal, professional and other online activities