We’re looking for an experienced and organised Events Manager to lead the planning and delivery of Graduation ceremonies and celebratory receptions, some of the most memorable moments in the University calendar, as well as support the wider team on other Department events such as Open Days.
In this key role, you will:
-
Take the lead on every aspect of the graduation experience, from detailed operational planning to on-the-day management.
-
Deliver a professional, seamless experience for around 5,000 graduating students and their guests across Bath Abbey and the Bath Recreation Ground.
-
Manage suppliers, budgets, logistics, and risk assessments, while briefing senior staff and coordinating internal teams.
-
Work closely with colleagues across Academic Registry, the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, the wider university.
-
Help shape the future of University events by contributing to continuous improvement and early planning for ceremonies beyond 2026.
Graduation is a highlight of the year, celebrating achievement and community. You’ll join a friendly, experienced Events team that also delivers Open Days, Virtual Open Days, public lectures and other University events.
You’ll bring:
-
Significant experience of planning and delivering large, complex or high-profile events, ideally within higher education or a similar environment.
-
Excellent project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
-
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence when briefing senior stakeholders and managing suppliers or temporary staff.
-
Sensitivity, diplomacy, and a customer-focused approach, ensuring every guest feels valued.
-
The flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends during event periods (with TOIL provided).
-
A degree (or equivalent experience), and proven success managing budgets and event teams, will be essential.
This role is offered on a permanent basis (36.5 hours per week).
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sarah McFarlane (Head of Undergraduate Marketing & Events) on [email protected], however please ensure that you submit your application through the university website.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
-
Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
-
Generous employer contributory pension schemes
-
Cycle to work scheme
-
Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
-
Staff discount at Team Bath gym
-
Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
-
Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
-
A family-friendly workplace
-
An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
-
Relocation allowance
-
Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
-
Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app
Find out more about our benefits hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.
We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:
-
Staff support groups and networks
-
A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
-
A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive
Find out more about being at your best at Bath.
- Job Description & Person Specification
Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.
Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
