About the job

Job summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has an exciting opportunity for an Events Manager to join the Strategy, Communications and Advocacy directorate and lead the creation of a new events team.

The CMA is looking to increase the number and type of external events that it hosts to support its engagement with stakeholders to add impact of the CMA’s work.

You will be working alongside colleagues from across the CMA to design and deliver a programme of events that are tailored to audience expectations – explaining the work of the CMA and capturing insights from the CMA’s stakeholders across the UK. You will identify opportunities to share the CMA’s impacts and design memorable engagement between the CMA and its partners.

You will take a leadership role in using events to embed a culture of openness to external stakeholders while promoting excellence in events management.

We expect the majority of events to be held in London, but some travel will be required to deliver events in the CMA’s offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh and Manchester and other locations across the UK as necessary.

To find out more about the CMA please click below:

CMA – Working for the CMA , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

Closing date for applications: Monday 26th February 2024 at 23:55

Job description

The role will involve managing a small team of events professionals to expand and develop the CMA’s programme of external events: 

• Development of a rolling programme of CMA led and hosted events of varying size and levels of complexity.
• Project management for events including oversight of logistics and production of event collateral and management information for senior leadership.
• Responsibility for budget management and ensuring cost effective solutions are applied and sighted concerns such as potential overspend is addressed.
• Responsibility to ensuring health and safety standards are met and potential risk addressed.
• Lead for compliant procurement, contract management and engagement with suppliers which may include audio visual, catering solutions for example,and ensuring co-ordination both in advance and on site.
• Development of the CMA’s ability to deliver high-quality impactful events.
• Support and advice to teams across the CMA on event design and bespoke solutions to fit their requirements.
• Developing a framework of trusted partners to support, deliver and host CMA events.
• Responsible for post event evaluation and feedback on successes and learnings for implementing future improvements.
• Helping to build and lead a high performing, inclusive team through inspiring, strong and visible leadership.
• Actively liaising with internal and external stakeholders including international organisations, overseas national competition authorities, new and existing external CMA suppliers to develop client relations and enhance attendee experience,
• Supporting the CMA Board meetings hosted outside of London and supporting the design and delivery of stakeholder engagement alongside these meetings.
• Supporting the delivery of internal events or priority projects as appropriate.
• Line management, development and performance management of two Events Coordinators.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application: 

• Strong experience of planning and delivery of large-scale external events with immovable deadlines (lead criteria). 
• Experience of managing budget and reporting spend with financial analysis of events delivery and demonstrating value for money (lead criteria). 
• • Experience of designing a programme and advising on content of diverse in-person and hybrid events for an organisation.
  • Ability to demonstrate being a self-starter with the flexibility to deliver in a fast-paced project environment, inspiring others to adopt a proactive approach.
  • Excellent people management skills, with experience of leading others through complex and challenging delivery.
  • Demonstrable experience of establishing and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders both internally and externally.
  • Demonstrable skills and experience in delivering project outcomes, including identifying risks, problem solving, and recommending a preferred course of action.

It is desirable that you can provide evidence and examples for the following selection criteria in your application: 

• Relevant project or events management qualifications.
• Experience of delivering events in the public sector.
• Experience of commissioning and procuring audio-visual solutions to increase impact of events.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,365, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £14,408 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.

The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and an interview.

Arrangements for the interview will be enclosed in the invitation. Interviews will be either conducted either virtually, by Microsoft Teams, or in-person at a CMA office.

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application:

• Strong experience of planning and delivery of large-scale external events with immovable deadlines (lead criteria).
• Experience of managing budget and reporting spend with financial analysis of events delivery and demonstrating value for money (lead criteria).
• Experience of designing a programme and advising on content of diverse in-person and hybrid events for an organisation.
• Ability to demonstrate being a self-starter with the flexibility to deliver in a fast-paced project environment, inspiring others to adopt a proactive approach.
• Excellent people management skills, with experience of leading others through complex and challenging delivery.
• Demonstrable experience of establishing and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders both internally and externally.

An initial sift based on criteria 1 and 2 (Lead Criteria) may be held if a large number of applications are received.

If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification (above and in the attached role profile) will then be considered.

The sift will take place week commencing 26th February 2024.

If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an interview. You will be notified via email to log-in to your Civil Service Account and book your interview slot. You will be sent an email with full details of your arrangements for interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 26th February 2024.

The first part of the interview will comprise of preparing a presentation in advance of the interview, details of which will be forwarded in advance of the interview.

The second part of the interview will be a 45-minute -1 hour panel interview in which you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the role profile.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.

For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.