Engagement and Events Executive

We are excited to be re-launching our Give it a Go programme, which offers one-off events and activities designed to help our diverse student body build connections and feel settled. Give It A Go (GIAG) is a programme of events open to all students at the University of Kent with the aim to provide a variety of activities for a broad range of students to try out. These could be craft sessions, sports, trips off campus and much more, we want to help students make connections, encouraging belonging, try something new, meet new people and develop their skills. We also want to enhance the events we deliver for university open days and offer holder days to showcase why students should choose Kent. As a result, we are seeking someone who is innovative, creative, and experienced in delivering events—someone who is proactive, able to work independently, and confident collaborating across departments. The postholder will be part of a flexible and dynamic team and will be required to work weekends and evenings as necessary to support open days and other events. They must therefore be adaptable and flexible in their approach to working hours. We are a vibrant, student-led organisation with an exciting future ahead. After a challenging few years, we are growing from strength to strength with renewed focus and energy, working to amplify the voice of our members and ensure they have a fantastic student experience. Our new strategy outlines our priorities for the next two years and drives everything we do. Students are the reason Kent Students’ Union exists. We support them throughout their university journey, and our dedicated staff and volunteers work to enhance every aspect of their experience—whether that’s helping with their studies, supporting the practicalities of life, or providing opportunities for fun and connection. Kent Students’ Union operates a range of services for students at the Canterbury Campus of the University of Kent, including retail shops, a bar, a café, a nightclub, and a children’s nursery. What you will be doing: To oversee and co-ordinate our Give it a Go Programme, ensuring a variety of safe, inclusive and engaging events, trips and opportunities are delivered across the year. Day to day activities might include planning, setting up and delivering events through a small student staff team, liaising with our marketing department to promote the programme, monitoring attendance, seeking student feedback and completing risk assessments and ensuring the safety of attendees. To co-ordinate our presence at Arrivals Weekend and deliver a series of events as part of Welcome Week including supporting the delivery of Welcome Fair. To co-ordinate Kent Student Union’s presence at University Open Days and Offer Holder Days held on Saturdays, ensuring they are staffed, interactive and showcase Kent Students’ Union’s impact on the student experience to prospective students. To support the delivery of wider KSU events as and when required such as Summerball. This role involves regular manual handling tasks, including lifting, carrying, and moving items. Training, guidance, and appropriate equipment will be provided. Candidates must be able to perform these duties safely, with reasonable adjustments considered where applicable.   What we’re looking for: Experience of managing people (paid staff or volunteers) to deliver outstanding results. Experience of financial management A track record of working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and building effective relationships Experience of promoting and delivering a wide range of events Knowledge A good knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practice in the management of health and safety including the completion of risk assessments. An understanding of the current issues affecting higher education institutions and students Skills and Abilities Sound judgement and ability to handle competing priorities and a challenging workload in a pressurised environment Skilled and committed user of IT, enabling efficiencies and improved service using technology. Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to relate and communicate effectively with people at all levels. Values & Behaviours An effective and highly capable individual who is punctual, friendly and has a positive attitude and takes pride in their own work. Evidence of commitment to continuing personal and professional development A firm commitment to equality of opportunity; an individual who values diversity, shows respect for all people and works well with people who have different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds A team player, who helps others to build a successful team, celebrates others’ successes and supports others to achieve individual and team goals Applications To apply please submit your application on our recruitment portal on our careers page, to include a copy of your CV. Please ensure that you pay particular attention in your application to detailing how your experience meets the requirements of the person specification and why you are interested in the position. A full copy of the job spec and person spec is available on our website.  Website Kent Students’ Union’s website contains further background information about Kent Students’ Union to help potential applicants. Potential applicants are encouraged to look at the website prior to applying. Further Information and Questions If you require further information, please contact: Name - Max Weston Job Title -Commercial Events Manager