Events Officer

UK date and time: 24-September-2026 12:26

Blavatnik School of Government, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG

Are you experienced in event management and looking for a new and exciting challenge? This is an opportunity to manage events and external hire within a spectacular space for one of the most vibrant departments of the University of Oxford, the Blavatnik School of Government. In doing so, you will help realise our vision of better government and public policy around the world.

As Events Officer, you will take ownership of the School’s commercial venue hire activity, delivering high-quality external events while developing a sustainable and profitable venue hire business. You will manage the client journey from enquiry to booking, oversee pricing, budgets and performance, and build strong client relationships that encourage repeat business and enhance the School’s reputation as a venue.

Alongside venue hire, you will support and lead School events, coordinating colleagues, suppliers and operational teams to deliver complex and concurrent activities smoothly. You will advise on event matters, manage risks and relevant protocols, build relationships across the wider University and externally, and deputise for the Head of Events when required.

You will bring significant event management expertise and a strong record of delivering successful events, together with experience of commercial venue hire, setting charging rates and providing excellent client service. You will understand established event management practice, including health and safety requirements, and have the technical confidence to specify basic event requirements such as AV facilities. An undergraduate degree, or equivalent professional experience, is also essential.

You will be an effective and collaborative communicator who builds trusted relationships while working confidently both independently and as part of a team. Strong organisation, judgement and attention to detail will enable you to manage competing priorities, respond constructively to change and solve problems under pressure while handling sensitive information appropriately. You will be confident using Microsoft Office and other common software applications, able to absorb detailed information quickly, and available to work flexibly outside normal office hours and at weekends when events require it.

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policy making worldwide, through three routes:
teaching
current and future leaders
; generating
research with impact
; and engaging
with governments and practitioners
.

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have a regular events calendar that are designed to appeal to all, including our Christmas and summer parties.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• 38 days’ annual leave
• Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

More information about working at the School can be found on our jobs page .

Salary (£) :
Grade 6: £35,681 - £41,636 (with a discretionary range to £45,212) p.a.