Event Manager Job Pack
Job title Event Manager
Line Manager Head of Events
Location Primarily based in Andover, with regular travel across the UK
Job type / hours Full time
Salary £28,000 FTE starting
To Note Full UK Driver’s manual License essential - Must be confident to drive vans up to 3.5t (LWB and Luton/Low Loader type vehicles)
About Marston Events
Marston Events was founded in 2005 and has grown into a prestigious and expanding company specialising in graduation ceremony services. We work in partnership at ceremonies with universities, colleges, schools, and professional bodies across the UK and internationally. Our core services include expert event management, the design and supply of high-quality gowns, professional graduation portraits by qualified and experienced photographers, event video services, and venue ticketing services.
Marston Events is dedicated to celebrating the power of aspiration, recognising that gowns and mortarboards symbolise hard work, dedication, and the potential for future success. Our expert and personalised customer service is based on trust and integrity, which we see as our greatest strength. Marston Events goes the extra mile to support the graduands and Universities that we serve with professionalism at all times.
Spread over three sites across the UK - Andover, Salford's (Surrey), and Belfast, Marston offers a wide variety of job roles throughout the company and takes pride in its richly diverse workforce of specialists. We deliver our services not only in this country but internationally and have ambitious plans to grow and develop outside the UK. We care deeply about our staff and everyone that works alongside us. Our most recent staff survey highlighted ‘team sprit’, ‘respect’ and ‘inclusivity’ as some of the key factors that makes our team unique. “It is a very friendly and supportive culture where everyone feels safe to communicate and innovate”
Find out more about our company benefits at the end of the job pack.
About The Role
Are you a detail-driven organiser with a passion for delivering exceptional experiences? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be part of memorable moments like graduation ceremonies and academic events? We're looking for an enthusiastic and practical Event Manager to join our growing team based in Andover.
Whether you're a seasoned events professional or looking to take your career to the next level, this role offers the unique opportunity to travel across the UK, manage dynamic teams, and play a central role in life-changing milestone events. If you’re local to Andover or the surrounding areas and are looking for a rewarding and varied role, we’d love to hear from you!
This is more than just an operational role—it's an opportunity to help people celebrate the most meaningful moments of their lives. You’ll work in beautiful venues, historic halls, and universities across the UK, building a portfolio of unforgettable events.
We invest in our people, offering support, training, and opportunities to grow. If you love variety, responsibility, travel, and being part of something special, this could be the role for you.
Job Description
Event Manager overseeing successful planning, coordination, logistics, live execution, and client communications of Graduation and Ceremonial events
- Lead and deliver graduation and ceremonial event services at venues across the UK.
- Manage all aspects of on-site event operations, including staff coordination and problem-solving on the day.
- Client communication: Manage ongoing client communication and liaison, providing timely updates on planning progress, operational decisions, and any emerging challenges to ensure transparency and alignment throughout the event.
- Ensure event spaces are set up and presented to a professional standard, aligned with client expectations and company brand.
- Attend site visits, liaise with venue contacts, academic institutions, and internal departments to ensure seamless execution of services.
- Create floor plans, on the day schedules and briefing information to assist with planning and the live day team.
Team Leadership
- Supervise and support event staff, including temporary and agency team members during set up, load out and on the live days.
- Deliver staff briefings, allocate responsibilities, and ensure effective team performance at events.
- Work in partnership with Regional Account Managers to ensure clients have an excellent level of service.
Logistics & Equipment
- Working in partnership with the warehouse team, prepare, maintain, and manage event kit, including ensuring that you have the right type and amount of academic dress, and ceremonial items in advance of each live event.
- Oversee, quality check the transport, loading, and unloading of goods and equipment to and from event sites.
- Put away all event kit, maintain stock levels, report damages, and ensure proper care of assets.
Customer Service
- Serve as a key point of contact for clients, graduates, and guests during events.
- Handle inquiries, resolve issues proactively, and ensure a high-quality customer experience at all times.
- Escalate issues arising to the relevant teams and oversee implementation of improvements or changes made
Essential Qualifications & Requirements
- Previous experience of event lead/management.
- Take full ownership of event execution and client relations.
- While on site expertly managing expectations and facilitating seamless communication while knowing exactly when to escalate critical issues.
- Full, clean UK Driving License (manual vehicles).
- This role involves regular driving of a variety of manual vehicles, so confidence and comfort driving is essential including vans up to 3.5t (LWB and Luton/Low Loader type vehicles)
- To live within a 20-mile radius of Andover
- Comfortable with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends during peak event seasons.
- Competent with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Strong interpersonal skills with a confident, customer facing & customer-focused approach.
- Comfortable with physical tasks, including manual handling and long event days.
- There is a lot of setting up and packing down of event so being comfortable with lifting, setting up manual kit and working with the team to load and unload vehicles is essential
Desirable Experience
- Experience leading or supervising teams in fast-paced environments.
Working Conditions
- Based in the Andover Office when not on-site at events.
- Regular travel to event sites across the UK, including overnight stays.
- Occasional work from other company offices.
- Use of company and hire vehicles for travel.
Physical Requirements
- Comfortable lifting - loading and unloading vehicles of equipment, gowns and kit pre and post events is a part of every event
- Comfortable working long days during peak event periods.
- Ability to work under pressure and remain calm during live event operations.
Our 5 Company Values and Team Behaviours 2026
1. We are Proud
- High standards: We take pride in our work and strive for quality and excellence.
- Brand advocacy: We speak positively about the company and its mission.
- Ownership: We show personal responsibility for the company's success and celebrate our results.
- Technical excellence: We are experts working in partnership to produce the best results.
2. We are Ambitious
- Proactive goal-setting: We set and strive to exceed standards SMART targets.
- Growth mindset: We seek opportunities for learning, new challenges, and embrace change.
- Initiative: We go beyond job descriptions to improve processes or contribute to broader goals.
3. We are Resilient
- Perseverance under pressure: We are professional experts no matter the situation.
- Problem-solving mindset: we see obstacles as opportunities to grow, we actively look for solutions.
- Adaptability: We adjust quickly to change and see mistakes as an opportunity to improve.
- Calm reassurance: We are experts that handle client / customer challenges with professionalism.
4. We act with Integrity
- Honesty and transparency: We speak the truth even when it's difficult and own up to mistakes.
- Ethical decision-making: We act fairly, stick to our commitments, and hold ourselves accountable.
- Trustworthiness: You can rely on us to do the right thing.
5. We Care!
- Empathy and compassion: We listen actively, support colleagues, clients and customers and treat people with respect and kindness. ALWAYS
- Team spirit: We collaborate willingly, value diverse perspectives, and help others succeed.
- Community and customer focus: We always consider the impact of our actions on customers, colleagues, and the wider community.
How to apply
- Please send a CV that demonstrates you have the skills and experience to carry out the responsibilities listed in the job description.
- Please also send a covering letter that provides examples from your experience on how you meet each of the essential and desirable competencies listed in the person specification section of the job description.
- Please send any queries to [email protected]
- Interviews will take place at our Andover site.
Company benefits include
- The chance to work supportive company that’s passionate about creating memorable experiences
- Employee Assistance Programme (Peninsula) – 24 hour helpline and hub for a offering a range of services from experienced therapists or specialist advisors.
- Access to Pension Scheme – more info available on request
- 28 day holiday allowance including bank holidays
- On-site parking
- Enhanced holiday allowance for long service, starting from one full year
- Volunteering days
- Hybrid and Flexible working arrangements (role dependant)
- Death in service
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £28,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Are you located in and within 20 miles of Andover?
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (manual vehicles) (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
