Event Lead – Flagship Conference (Professional Body) (Part time maternity contract)

Starting salary of £36,635 pro rata (£61,059 FTE) for 21 hours a week, plus competitive benefits
Working hours: Three days, 21 hours per week, with flexibility to work additional hours/days as needed particularly later in the project timeline.
Duration: Maternity cover up to one year, with review in 9 months, possibility of extension. ASAP start.

Leading Professional Body/College within the medical sector is looking for an experienced Event Specialist to take the lead on developing and delivering their Flagship Conference for 2026 – part-time mat cover initially 3 days a week.

Organisation:
Professional body/College within a specialist area of the healthcare/medical sector - UK membership of c. 1,900. The Events Team deliver a programme of events. Their main bi-annual Flagship Conference for 2026 is the priority focus for this role – ASAP mat cover - looking for an experienced Event professional to take the helm of this key event!

Role & Context
We are looking for a proactive, energetic, resourceful, and creative Event Development and Delivery Specialist with extensive Conference experience (ideally within the medical professional body sector or similar) to enhance, develop and deliver The College’s flagship conference in 2026 (the conference is typically a mix of plenary sessions, streamed discussion and hands-on workshops, networking and exhibition hall taking place over two days). This role will full ownership of the event – leading varied stakeholders, Partners and delivery teams from content and event format development, to all aspects of event pre-production and delivery. They are looking for someone to bring their own energy, experience and expertise as they are absolutely looking to enhance and improve on previous year’s event with increased numbers and enhanced offering.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly competent and talented Event Specialist to bring their extensive  experience and expertise within the field to develop and deliver an outstanding healthcare conference, utilising their extensive creativity, negotiation and project management skills.

While the conference is the significant focus for this role, there are two other areas which the postholder would also contribute to: strategic consultancy input on their 5 year event plan years and experience/insight to help the review of their event reporting system.  The principal activities the Role holder will be responsible for:

• agreeing the vision, aspirations and success metrics for the conference
• agreeing partnership terms with other aligned Professional Bodies/Colleges
• leading a programme panel of College staff, members, partners and stakeholders developing a comprehensive plan and schedule of activity needed to deliver the conference – keep project on track around key milestones

• planning and sourcing the programme and content – collaborating with Programme Group and Partners
• agreeing the key marketing messages, audiences and incentives; with the communication plan and execution delivered by the Marketing Team
• preparing a detailed conference budget
• leading the negotiations for the venue and all related suppliers
• organising the event booking platform and data collection
• planning, scheduling and briefing event staff, both professionals and College staff volunteers
• preparing sponsorship and exhibitor packages
• Delivering an outstanding conference.
• Advising and supporting on event planning to meet the College’s new 5 year strategy
• Progressing the data project to ensure that the College effectively and efficiently capture and use event data to support College needs.

You:
You’ll be a very experienced Event Professional, with extensive experience of delivering multi-faceted professional conferences – within the medical sector would be ideal, and of working within the Association/Professional Body space. Great project manager/leader, skilled pulling varied stakeholders and partners together to design and across all aspects of event to deliver a high quality, enhanced event. The successful candidates would need to demonstrate the following skills, experience and knowledge:

• Experience of leading, creating and implementing large-scale conferences, including project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and on-time delivering.
• Experience of working within a
• Experience creating and managing conference and project budgets autonomously.
• Experience of leading successful multi-stakeholder groups for large scale events.
• Excellent creative skills to develop and deliver unique and engaging event content/programme.
• Excellent leadership skills with demonstrable experience of leading a diverse team across a range of functions.
• A collaborative working style, able to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience of using CRMs, event management booking systems and online event platforms.

ASAP start mat cover – 3 days a week, with the flexibility to increase days in line with project plan nearer to event delivery date. Offers flexible working – great contract opportunity to take full lead of this important Flagship Event – room for you to show off your flair and expertise!  Click APPLY now as looking for someone to take the reins ASAP!