The essentials …
- Permanent, full-time
- £55,000 - £62,000 (depending on experience)
- 5 total direct reports (including 3 Leads; Training Courses, Venue Hire, & Energy Group Events, Senior Events Coordinator, and Events Marketing Executive)
- Hybrid working with 2-3 days a week at our London office
Who are we?
Founded in 1807, we are the oldest geological society in the world. Today, we are a world-leading communicator of Earth science – through publishing, library and information services, cutting-edge scientific conferences, education activities and outreach to the general public. We also provide impartial scientific information and evidence to support policy-making and public debate about the challenges facing humanity.
We have a membership (Fellowship) of c. 12,000, more than 2,000 of whom are based outside the UK. Approximately 3,000 are Chartered Geologists or Chartered Scientists - professionals who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence in their field and a commitment to professional ethics.
What you’ll be doing …
Our Head of Events (HoE) will bring leadership and strategic vision to the Society’s Events team encompassing scientific conferences, venue hire, and training courses, working to deliver the business plan and achieve targets for this active, income-generating department.
This role will be responsible for supporting the six-strong team in delivery of our busy events programme, working effectively with conference convenors, and providing exemplary support to our delegates, venue users, sponsors, and clients throughout the year. Working closely with the Director of Science & Engagement, our new HoE will work to develop robust and diverse income streams for the Society from our events as well as sponsorship and will oversee the expansion of our venue hire provision into new markets (e.g. weddings) in addition to seizing other opportunities for growth.
Overall responsibilities / requirements …
Management & Leadership:
- Shape and lead the Events team to deliver top-quality leadership and coordination of our events programmes and customer service for both internal users and external clients
- Continue to support a commercial approach to income generation across the Events department, to support revenue growth and diversification across sectors
- Grow event sponsorship, proactively identifying sponsorship opportunities and supporting the team, convenors, and others to become more confident in developing sponsor relationships and securing sponsorship income.
- Grow and nurture relationships with Fellows and external partners
- Grow and nurture relationships with internal staff across other departments, particularly those jointly responsible for delivering upon the Society’s strategic aims
- Provide leadership and mentorship to the Events team, supporting ongoing professional development
- Act as the senior Events representative at internal committee meetings, providing expert input on event strategy, performance, and future plans.
- Manage external relationships with Events partners, including catering suppliers, AV technicians, and Security where appropriate
- Lead on the delivery of appropriate Health & Safety management alongside equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility actions across the Events team and throughout our programme of public facing events
Conference Delivery:
- Oversee the management and delivery of Society conferences, events, and lectures alongside our Energy Group Lead and Senior Events Coordinator, including offsite delivery where appropriate
- Oversee the planning and delivery of flagship conferences for audiences of approximately 500+ delegates, ensuring high-quality audience experience and strong financial performance.
- Oversee the development and implementation of a strategy for the branding and marketing of events from web, print and social media alongside our Events Marketing Executive
- Embed a commercial approach to conference development and delivery
- Lead the development of partnerships across the Events team, including the management and delivery of joint, flagship events such as the Energy Geoscience Conference (EGC) series in partnership with GESGB
- Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, staff, and Council, to grow the offering of Society events, in London and beyond
- Worth the wider staff team to ensure that our Conference provision is aligned to the Society’s science strategy & supports ongoing professional development for our fellows and members
Training Courses Delivery:
- Provide strategic oversight of the Society’s developing Training Course programme alongside our Training Courses Lead and Training Courses Committee to ensure commercial sustainability, quality, and growth
- Support the promotion and upscaling of our Training Courses programme alongside our Events Marketing Executive
- Work with the wider staff team to ensure that our Training Course provision is aligned to the Society’s science strategy & supports ongoing professional development for our fellows and members
Venue Hire Oversight:
- Provide strategic leadership, working with the Venue Hire Lead to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to grow and diversify venue hire revenue, aligned with the organisation’s wider commercial objectives.
- Lead on the design, launch, and ongoing development of our new Weddings venue hire initiative in partnership with our Venue Hire Lead following the granting of our wedding license from Westminster City Council, ensuring strong market positioning and a high-quality client experience
- Work with the wider events team to improve booking and on-the-day service for internal and external venue-hire clients
- Oversee and continuously improve the end-to-end booking journey and on-the-day service for internal and external venue-hire clients, working closely with the wider events team to deliver a consistently high standard of service.
- Lead on the procurement and management of key suppliers (including catering and other event services), running competitive tenders and negotiating contracts that best support the quality, profitability and sustainability of our events programme.
What we’re looking for …
Candidates for the role of Head of Events will be required to demonstrate a range of skills, competencies, and abilities for the post, and the successful candidate will have demonstrable experience within an Events team as well as leadership experience. The individual will need to be able to build relationships with stakeholders and clients from a variety of sectors and will need to demonstrate a variety of skills.
Qualification & Experience …
Leadership & Management:
- Experience of successfully implementing and leading change
- A track record of successfully building and nurturing strong and productive relationships, internally and externally
- A team worker with proven experience of working collaboratively to realise organisational objectives
- An ability to influence and inspire people successfully at all levels.
Other Qualities:
- Demonstrable ability to prioritise multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines when required
- Familiarity with the current Microsoft Office suite, and use of CRM systems
- Tact, tenacity, and a willingness to work in partnership with others
- Positivity and enthusiasm for the role, and support for your team
- Exceptional interpersonal and people-management skills
- A commitment to personal development and learning
Essential Criteria:
- Successful delivery of conferences and events
- A track record of successful leadership and management
- Financial management, commercial awareness, including budgetary management
- Commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and to the Society’s other core values as set out in our strategy
- Strong written and oral communication skills
Desirable Criteria:
- Venue management experience
- Successful delivery of academic and/or professional/B2B conferences
- Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relevant to public events and venue hire (e.g., licensing, GDPR)
- Experience of working with trustees, committee members, volunteers, and other stakeholders
- Commercial experience in a relevant sector
- Experience of training courses and/or ongoing professional development in a commercial capacity
A bit about us …
The Geological Society is a registered charity and employs just under 60 staff at its offices in London and Bath. Our London office is situated in the beautiful London hotspot of Piccadilly in Burlington House, just next door to The Royal Academy.
As an employee conscious company, we invest in our staff by emphasising training, growth and progression in every role. We firmly believe in creating a positive workplace wellbeing culture and offer a range of benefits to our staff including:
- 25 days basic holiday entitlement you start, increasing up to 30 days with continued service (pro-rated for part-time staff)
- Option to purchase up to 2 days extra holiday days per year
- Contributary pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
- Access to 24/7 online GP with mental health & wellbeing counselling
- Free premium Headspace account for you and 2 members of friends/family
- Discounts and recognitions scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Season Ticket Loan scheme
- Life Assurance and Income Protection schemes
- Free access to Royal Academy exhibitions
- Free Geological Society Fellow membership for qualified staff
The Society is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a harmonious inclusive environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members visitors and staff are respected. We are an equal opportunities employer and the post-holder will be expected to adhere to and support the Society’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
How to apply …
To apply for this position, please click the 'Apply' button above to be taken through to our recruitment page with full contact details.
As part of our inclusive recruitment initiative, we have introduced the concept of anonymous recruiting in order to evaluate applicants solely on their skills and experience. With this in mind, we encourage you to:
- Anonymise your application by stating only your initials in your CV (including your file name) and cover letter.
- State your initials only in the subject line when sending your application.
- Ensure that you have included your contact email and number, as well as dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.
First round interviews will take place remotely. Please let us know if you will require any special provisions to be made should you be called for an interview. We regret that unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted.
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to support visa applications.
#events #head of events #events mangement #events lead #membership #science
To support Earth scientists, grow interest in the natural world, and connect science, the profession and society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Recruitment & TUPE Onboarding Coordinator to play a pivotal role in our Recruitment & Onboarding team.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
In this role, you will support the Recruitment Specialist with reviewing and shortlisting applications, coordinating interviews through the ATS, and ensuring candidates have clear instructions and building access. You'll confirm attendance, track recruitment progress, and publish job adverts in line with branding and compliance standards. Additionally, you will oversee and manage all TUPE onboarding activities, including DBS and Right to Work checks, creating employee records in the HRIS, and verifying TUPE data accuracy. You'll also assist the HR Business Partner with meeting note-taking for TUPE matters, provide ad-hoc administrative support to the Recruitment & Onboarding Manager and wider HR team, and manage the addition of pool workers into Magnit Shift.
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
Here's what the team will be looking for:
You should have experience conducting DBS and Right to Work checks, along with a solid understanding of applicant tracking systems. A proven ability to deliver an excellent candidate journey and coordinate the recruitment of multiple roles is essential. Strong attention to detail, proactive working habits, and exceptional organizational skills will help you thrive in this role. Additionally, you'll need strong IT capabilities, including proficiency in Excel and Word, and outstanding customer service skills to ensure a positive experience for both candidates and stakeholders.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
- Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.
Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Community Engagement Practitioner to play a pivotal role in our Enfield VCS service.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary NHS team alongside clinicians, social workers, and community partners to support adults with moderate to severe mental illness. Holding a caseload of service users, you will act as their key contact, contributing to care planning, monitoring progress, and supporting safe discharge using the RiO clinical records system. Together with service users, you will develop person-centred recovery plans focused on social goals and community integration, building strong therapeutic relationships through trauma-informed and strength-based approaches. You will help individuals access local resources, attend appointments, and engage in wellbeing activities, peer support, and psychoeducational groups. Collaboration is central to the role, as you will liaise with statutory and voluntary organisations, attend clinical meetings and community events, and advocate for recovery-focused, jargon-free communication. You will ensure accurate documentation, uphold safeguarding and health & safety standards, and actively participate in supervision, training, and professional development.
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
Here's what the team will be looking for
We are looking for someone with NVQ Level 4 in Care (or equivalent) or at least two years' experience in a mental health setting. You will bring a strong understanding of mental health issues, recovery, and co-production principles, alongside experience of working collaboratively with professionals, services, and communities. Knowledge of care planning, risk assessment, recovery tools, and the Mental Health Act is essential, as are excellent communication, relationship-building, and group facilitation skills. You should be confident using IT systems, resilient and adaptable, able to work independently or as part of a team, and committed to person-centred, trauma-informed practice.
When will I be working?
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:18pm, Flexi work pattern.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
- Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.
Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.