Head of Events; Milton Keynes, ENG, GB, MKAA

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to You Tube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The Head of Events will provide strategic leadership and operational excellence in the planning, delivery and evaluation of The Open University’s event portfolio across the four Nations, ensuring that all activity is inclusive, accessible and aligned with the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles. As an experienced events practitioner, the postholder will shape and implement an integrated events strategy (live and online) that strengthens the University’s brand and reputation, supporting institutional priorities including recruitment, retention, outreach and social impact, with a clear focus on reaching and engaging diverse audiences.

The role will oversee major programmes, including the development of the schools and colleges outreach skills programme, and will support the delivery of the Spring and Autumn ceremonies across the four Nations, ensuring these high-profile events are welcoming, representative and accessible to all participants. The postholder will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop and oversee an institution-wide B2C and B2B events calendar as part of the Greater Reach plan, embedding best practice in inclusive event design and delivery and working closely with event specialists across GEA, BDU, Development, Faculties and the Nations.

The role will lead the strategic development of the events channel as part of the paid, owned and earned channel mix, working with accountable stakeholders to ensure it delivers measurable impact in building trust, brand advocacy and community engagement, while championing EDI best practice, accessibility standards and continuous improvement across the events lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of the University’s events strategy, aligning activities with institutional objectives, brand priorities, and audience needs.
• Provide strategic oversight on wide range of institutional online and live events supporting teams where needed and ensuring highest standard of brand experience and quality.
• Establish and maintain an institution-wide events calendar to coordinate, plan, and optimise activity across the University.
• Advise senior leaders on event strategy and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that events reinforce the University’s reputation, impact and governance.
• Co-ordinate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to successfully expand the OU’s B2C/ B2B offering and grow brand awareness within existing and new customer markets.

Programme Leadership

• Schools & Colleges Outreach Skills Programme:
  Direct the development and delivery of 4 Nation outreach skills programme that strengthens relationships with schools and colleges, delivering our social mission and growth ambition.
• Ceremonies:
  Oversee the design, planning and delivery of The Open University’s ceremonies as annual campaign moments in Marketing, Communications & Development calendar as part of Greater Reach Plan. The role will bring together cross functional expertise supporting recruitment and retention objectives across nations. Operational delivery and ways of working with Ceremonies team will continue.
• Head of profession:
  Provide overarching counsel and best practice to support key stakeholder's institution wide.

Operational Excellence

• Lead and develop a high-performing events team, promoting a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks, toolkits, and guidance for consistent event management practice.
• Own the events risk management approach, including creation and maintenance of event risk registers, scenario planning, contingency and escalation protocols, and post-incident reviews.
• Chair…