Job details

• Full Time
• Westminster
• Posted 20 hours ago

Website Social Market Foundation

The Social Market Foundation is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank, standing proudly in the centre-ground of politics since 1989. We bring together people of all parties and none to develop evidence-based policies that support a fair society and a strong economy.

The Social Market Foundation (SMF) is Britain’s leading cross-party think tank. Our mission is to enable markets and government to work together to benefit society. We achieve this through the development of high quality, independent and pragmatic public policy research and debate across a wide range of social and economic areas.

We are seeking a bright and hardworking person to help our events team organise interesting, informative and impactful discussions between leading policy experts and high-profile politicians.

Reporting to the Head of Events and Partnerships, you will help us arrange panel discussions, speeches and policy roundtables, which take place online, in-person and hybrid. You will also contribute to our busy programme across the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party Conferences in the autumn. Speakers at SMF events in 2024 have included a number of high-profile politicians including the Employment Minister, Schools Minister and former Shadow Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for Gambling. Topics covered have included transport poverty, student mental health, farmed animal welfare, economic fraud, pensions, social mobility, and prisoner rehabilitation.

The successful candidate will be expected to attend and support with the SMF’s events at future Autumn party conferences, for which some weekend and evening work may be required.

The duties of the Events Officer will include, but not be limited to:

• Supporting the SMF’s events team with the operational management of the SMF’s events in Westminster and at the political party conferences – these include; report launches, panel debates, seminars, dinners and expert roundtables.
• Researching and managing bookings for external venues, AV, catering, staff travel and accommodation.
• Liaising with internal stakeholders, including the SMF’s Trustees and Policy Advisory Board, and external stakeholders, such as corporate partners, journalists, government officials, trade bodies and MPs.
• Researching and identifying appropriate speakers and attendees for events, and potential sponsors and partners for future SMF projects.
• Sending event invitations, managing guest lists and contact databases.
• Drafting event invitations and speaker briefings.
• Supporting with filming and livestreaming events (training will be given).
• Uploading events to the SMF website and drafting marketing emails.
• Representing the SMF at all events – setting up event materials, AV and catering, greeting attendees and speakers.

Person specification:

An ideal candidate will have:

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to juggle a range of different assignments at the same time, to react quickly and prioritise a busy workload.
• Good IT Skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• An interest in public policy and politics, and an interest in, and understanding of the Social Market Foundation’s work and mission.
• Some prior experience in events planning in the commercial, charity or voluntary sector.

To apply for this job please visit www.smf.co.uk.

Any other details

• The SMF offers a contributory staff pension and generous holiday allowances.
• Staff training and progression is important to us. We offer personal training budgets for staff members plus membership to Smart Thinking which provides online and in person training for think tankers.
• Standard SMF working hours are 9.30am-6pm, Monday to Friday. We actively encourage flexible working and working patterns which are different to these hours. The appointee will be able to design their working week – in discussion with colleagues – to accommodate family commitments and other obligations.
• The SMF is based in Westminster and the post-holder will normally be expected to work in our office there at least two days a week, plus any additional days required by the team, for example to attend in-person SMF events. Other working time can be spent at home or in our office.

How to apply

The SMF is a cross-party think-tank governed by a board of trustees that includes members of all major political parties, and non-partisan figures. This informs all of our work, which reflects our status as a charity committed to public education in public policy. We welcome applications from people of all political perspectives who are happy to put the pursuit of good policy ahead of partisanship and ideology.

Applications should be sent to opportunities@smf.co.uk with the header “Events Officer”

The deadline for applications is 9am Friday 17 January 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview in person at the SMF’s offices in Westminster and may be asked to complete a short written task in advance.

Applicants should attach two .docx, .pdf or word documents:

1. A CV (please read the notes on this carefully below)
2. A one-page covering letter summarising how you fit the person specification and why you are interested in this position.

Important notes – please read before applying

1. Applications will be sifted on a name-blind basis. Please do not include your first or last name on your CV or covering letter. So we can identify you please include your name in the email you send with your application.
2. CVs should omit institutions. Please do not include the names of schools or universities attended. Do include courses studied and qualifications obtained.
3. Where possible, please remove references that might identify your background, sex or other characteristics. For instance, change references to “University women’s football team” to “university football team.”

Applicants may download, complete and return an equality and diversity monitoring form. This is voluntary and not a condition of applying. A copy of the form can be found here.

The SMF is an equal opportunities employer and all our jobs are open to anyone, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, or pregnancy and maternity.

We particularly encourage applications from people whose backgrounds are poorly represented in Westminster-based institutions and employers.

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