Job Description
Job title:
Challenge Events Manager
Location:
Head Office, Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HL
Directorate:
Fundraising
Department:
Events
Reporting to:
Head of Events
Direct Reports:
Event Manager (Town & Gown 10K series) – one year contract position
Events Officer (London Marathon & Ride London)
Main purpose
To develop and manage the charity’s Challenge Events portfolio,
achieving agreed fundraising targets and objectives within the annual
plan and three-year budget development projections, as agreed with
and supported by the Head of Events.
The main focus of the role will be:
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Developing the charity’s bespoke Town & Gown 10k race series
Introducing and managing new events within the Challenge Events portfolio
Supporting members of the team in their development of other Challenge Events within
the existing events portfolio
Developing relationships with participants and organisations to ensure long term charity
involvement; ensuring an excellent supporter journey that maximises lifetime value
Managing the Event Manager (Town & Gown 10K series); and Events Officer (London
Marathon and Ride London)
Deputising for Head of Events in their absence
Key areas of responsibility:
 To develop the Town and Gown 10K events, to attract over 4,000 participants per event. This
includes:
o planning and implementing a marketing plan, including management of cross-charity
promotional support, to recruit runners for each event; including building relationships
o Ensuring excellent management of the Town and Gown 10k website, blog and social
media presence, with communications and event promotion to maximise participant
registration and fundraising; the event experience and their lifetime value to the charity.
o overseeing the management of logistics and race committee liaison to be delivered by
the Event Manager (Town & Gown 10K); and ensuring strong links are established and
exploited with local running clubs, universities, colleges and local businesses.
o Liaising with internal team members to capitalise on collateral opportunities, including
corporate sponsorship and media partnerships.
o Evaluating and analysing the learning from each event, making recommendations to
inform the following year’s events, to maximise growth
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Researching opportunities for sustainable Town & Gown 10K race expansion, making
recommendations to develop the series.
 To introduce a successful new ‘Race the Sun’ event for June 2016, working closely with
Michael Thirkettle (property company challenge / Building magazine) and Head of Events
to ensure the best format and promotion of this event to maximise participation and net
income next year.
 Support the Corporate Partnerships Manager to secure corporate involvement in the
Challenge Events programme. Including charity of the year scheme for running and
cycling events. As well as supporting them with applications for corporate sponsorship.
 To create objectives for the Event Manager (Town & Gown 10K series) and Events
Officer (London Marathon / Ride London), and provide coaching to ensure maximisation
of each event. Support their personal development, conducting annual appraisal and
managing them to ensure they deliver their planned events efficiently and successfully.
 Manage the Events Teams Internship Scheme, which includes liaising with course
leaders, HR and conducting a selection and recruitment process. Whilst on placement,
managing the volunteers on a daily basis and supporting their future career development.
 Responsible for working alongside the Regional Fundraising team to develop the running
portfolio. Liaising with external stakeholders and keep up to date with the events market
place to identify new events to grow a suitable events portfolio for the charity. As well as
creating strategic plans, cultivating participants, overseeing the logistics (delivered by
others) and achieving income targets.
 To oversee the development and implementation of marketing plans to promote the
Challenge Events; guide the work with designers to produce support materials, adverts
and the implementation of mailing strategies to support these events.
 To work cross functionally, specifically with the corporate, regional, digital marketing and
communications teams.
 To oversee the computerised recording, monitoring and thanking of participants;
undertake budgetary reporting and forecasting for Challenge Events.
 To regularly discuss and develop the Challenge Event work plans and discuss with the
Head of Events.
 Play an active role in the life and development of the team, the Fundraising directorate
and the charity as a whole.
 To handle any other duties as defined by the Head of Events.
Initiative:
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Initiative in maintaining good relationships with other staff within the charity to assist in
joint working, strengthen communication, solve problems and to ensure that the charity’s
objectives are met.
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Initiative in maintaining a high level of sensitivity and tact when liaising directly with people
affected by muscular dystrophy.
Values and Behaviours:
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Commitment to excellent customer service and driven to succeed.
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Professional approach to all matters.
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Positive attitude and manners that reflect the charity’s values
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Contribute to the development of the charity and the fundraising team.
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Commitment to equal opportunities.
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Person Specification
Challenge Events Manager
Experience
A minimum of two years’ experience in Challenge events organising
either in the voluntary or corporate / commercial sector with a
minimum of one years’ experience in managing staff
Experience of using a database (preferably Raisers Edge)
Experience of producing promotional materials/writing applications
Skills and Personal Qualities
Developed writing skills for correspondence with an external audience
Strong communication skills to deal effectively in person and by
telephone with a wide range of people in a friendly but professional
manner
Ability to network
Ability to use research techniques
Ability to develop strategy and to prepare monthly work plans/reports
for the Head of Events, which meet measurable targets
Competence in using Microsoft Word and Excel
Numeracy
Enthusiastic, highly motivated and a positive attitude
Creative – good lateral thinker
Tact, diplomacy and an ability to maintain confidentiality
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to work cross-functionally
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Positive and flexible attitude to work particularly new initiatives
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Highly organised and efficient
Essential
Planning - The ability to develop and implement clear and robust
plans for self and others to follow
Leadership - The ability to set instructions whilst empowering others
to accomplish tasks.
Demonstrates flexibility by adopting a
management style to the given situation.
Organisational skills - The ability to manage own time and tasks
effectively. Taking an approach that is results orientated and
systematic making you personally effective in managing own
workload complying with set (ie. in-house policies, legislations, etc).
Ownership and accountability - The ability to accept responsibility for
own area of work, identifying critical elements and working in a proactive/solution focused way to achieve
Team work - The ability to accept responsibility for own area of work,
identifying critical elements and working in a pro-active/solution
focused way to achieve
Communication - The ability to represent Muscular Dystrophy UK
effectively and professionally.
Produces clear and effective
communications appropriate to the audience, utilising the most
appropriate channel and in keeping with brand guidelines
Self Development - The ability to constantly challenge and improve
self and others demonstrating ambition for self and charity to achieve
goals
Volunteers and supporters - The ability to work effectively with
volunteers and supporters to deliver business goals. Recognises the
value and contribution of volunteers and supporters – empowers
others through provision of support, coaching and training
Essential
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Details
Hours – 35 per week
Holidays – 25 days pro rata
Flexible approach to working hours and willingness to work outside
normal office hours when necessary
Time off in lieu will be provided
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