Special Events Assistant

Job Description

Blood Cancer UK, the UK’s leading blood cancer charity, is looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic Special Events Assistant to join the team. Our special events programme is key to supporting our ability to raise the funds and awareness to help us achieve our mission of beating blood cancer within a generation. The successful candidate will work on the charity’s most high-profile events, including our annual David Jones Golf Day, Carols by Candlelight and the Alternative Hair Show. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, creative and resourceful individual to gain on the job experience in high value events and join the fight against blood cancer. We welcome applicants on a job share basis, please specify in your cover letter if you would like your application to be considered on this basis.

Key Responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Special Events Manager to develop and deliver a broad portfolio of both income generating and cultivation and stewardship events
• Work collaboratively across the charity to identify and lend your expertise to other teams to help deliver our wider organisational strategy
• Act as the key point of contact for all aspects of event planning and delivery including sourcing and coordinating invite lists, managing all RSVP’s and ensuring these are accurately recorded on the database
• Take responsibility for key event logistics, sourcing and negotiating with all suppliers ensuring we maximise our return on investment
• Build a network of contacts to source prizes and gifts in kind for all events
• Work collaboratively with the Brand, Content and Design teams to create bespoke materials for each activity, ensuring they are tailored to inspire and engage event attendees
• Work with the Digital and Social Media teams to develop an online promotional strategy for each activity
• Be confident at developing and providing in-depth briefings for volunteers, suppliers and all staff working at events
• Contribute to the overall strategic development of the Special Events team as you develop your skills, expertise and specialist insight
• Keep the database and other reporting systems up-to-date and accurate

General Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for your continuing professional development, including developing understanding of current trends in Special Events as well as what motivates philanthropic donors

THINGS WE ALL DO

• Promote Blood Cancer UK’s vision, mission and core values
• We’re all fundraisers. This is slightly different for all roles, and your team will have fundraising KPIs and objectives we all work to
• Attend and assist at Blood Cancer UK events and activities as required (NB: this involves evening and weekend work)
• Be an effective ambassador for Blood Cancer UK at any activity you attend
• Develop an in-depth understanding of our work
• Follow the principles of LEAN and continuous improvement
• All staff are expected to adhere to Blood Cancer UK’s policies and procedures
• Do any other reasonable things your manager needs you to do

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience of providing administrative support on multiple projects with overlapping deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to liaise with a broad range of stakeholders
• Excellent time management skills with the ability and commitment to deliver to tight deadlines and the initiative to suggest solutions to challenges
• Experience of working effectively and collaboratively within a team, being able to work closely with the Senior Special Events Manager but also with the self-motivation to work on your own initiative
• Ability to show tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential information
• Confident at variety of computer packages including Word, PowerPoint and Excel to produce event briefings, reports and evaluations. Knowledge of a fundraising database would be advantageous.