The Post
The Deputy Head of Events will play a key role in the planning, coordination and delivery of the University of Stirling’s events portfolio. Working closely with the Head of Events, the post holder will lead on selected events throughout the year and feed into the planning and co-ordination of the University Events Team.
The role includes significant partnership working across Professional Services and with the Senior Management Team. Co-ordinating an events programme to support key University strategies such as student recruitment and transition, student experience, and internationalisation.
The Deputy Head of Events will contribute to the wider Events Team operations and support the Head of Events in ensuring that all events are delivered to a consistently high professional standard, positively representing the University at all times.
Description of Duties
Event Planning and Delivery
- Oversee the end-to-end delivery of major University events under the direction of the Head of the Events, including planning, logistics, risk assessment, delivery and evaluation
- Contribute towards the planning, coordination and delivery of the student-facing BeConnected programme, ensuring a structured and engaging community programme of activities across the academic year
- Coordinate short-term working groups to support the development and delivery of events and activities
- Ensure all event programmes are inclusive, accessible and representative of the University’s diverse student population
- Ensure adherence to health and safety requirements, University policies and best practice in event management
- Develop event budgets and manage expenditure, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost-effectiveness. Seek opportunities for sponsorships, partnerships, or grants to support event funding where applicable
Partnership Working and Coordination
- Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the University, including, but not limited to, the Students’ Union, Accommodation, Student Services, Sport and Faculties
- Support the Head of Events as a central coordination point for student engagement activity, ensuring a joined-up and collaborative approach to programme delivery
- Provide practical advice and guidance to colleagues delivering events across the University
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Support the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation processes for University events and the BeConnected programme
- Collect and analyse event data on engagement, participation and impact
- Prepare reports and contribute to updates for internal stakeholders (e.g. Student Experience Committee, Graduation Planning Group)
Team and Operational Support
- Support the Head of Events in the day-to-day coordination of the Events Team, contributing to workload planning and prioritisation
- Manage large numbers of both student and staff volunteers, and provide detailed briefing sessions
- Provide informal supervision, mentoring or guidance to junior team members where required
- Deputise for the Head of Events on operational matters as required
Continuous Improvement and Innovation
- Identify opportunities to enhance the programme through innovation and adoption of best practice from across the sector
- Contribute to the development of new ideas to improve the University events programme year on year
Additional Responsibilities
- Contribute to a culture of excellent service delivery and continuous improvement
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Education
- Degree in relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience with extensive events management experience
Knowledge & Experience
- In-depth knowledge and experience of both large and small-scale event planning and delivery, with substantial experience in a relevant role
- Experience in evaluating and reporting on the success of events - gathering and managing data, identifying trends and using insights to shape and inform future activity
- Experience of working collaboratively across teams or services, leading on projects
- Experience of managing multiple stakeholders with complex and sometimes conflicting agendas to achieve successful outcomes
- Experience of managing event budgets
Skills & Attributes
- Excellent organisational and programme co-ordination skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Good public speaking and interpersonal skills with ability to represent the University in the public arena
- Ability to work creatively and contribute to innovative programme development
- Good analytical skills and ability to interpret and report on data
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines
- Strong IT skills, including use of digital tools to support events delivery
- Excellent written communication skills and ability to write authoritative materials that will guide and inform students, colleagues, and participants at events
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working in the HE Sector
- Experience of working with students and knowledge of the student experience and student welfare considerations
- Experience in delivering programmes for underrepresented groups
- Marketing and promotion skills. Experience of using a content management system and Eventbrite
Additional Information
Full time
Open ended
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 20 September 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 02 October 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 3557.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
The University of Stirling events team, sits within the Commercial Services directorate and delivers high-profile corporate and ceremonial events that support key University strategies – internationalisation, student experience, student recruitment and alumni engagement. The events team are responsible for the planning, management, coordination, promotion, delivery and evaluation of the University’s annual programme of events. Our corporate and ceremonial events portfolio is a crucial part of the University’s reputation management, both internally and externally, and each event must be managed in a manner that ensures that the objectives are met, and that the University is positively and professionally represented at all times.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Job Reference: SERV02104
