Leading a team of two, you will oversee the day to day marketing programmes to recruit new events participants to take part in our challenge events series, including runs, marathons and team challenges. You will also explore market opportunities and develop new products. You will also be responsible for ensuring we build strong relationships with those participants to motivate them to maximise their fundraising and to ensure a lasting commitment to The Children’s Society.

An experienced marketer, with some demonstrable direct marketing experience, you will be an experienced people manager with a strong focus on achieving targets, an excellent relationship-builder and be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in adventure travel and the challenge events market.

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer generous holidays, contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

Hours for this role are 35 per week

The Children’s Society

Job Description

Title:

Challenge Events Manager

Location:

Edward Rudolf House, Margery Street, London

Reward Band:

RI: £29,394-£38,042 + £3,182 ILW

Reporting to:

Director, Central Fundraising

Job purpose:

To ensure the Challenge Events programme is effectively managed and promoted to meet income and expenditure targets

Key activities:

• Assist the Head/Director in strategic planning to develop a profitable challenge events programme
• To make a significant contribution to the formulation of marketing plans and annual budgets for the programme
• To plan and oversee the delivery of the Challenge Events programme on time and to agreed income/expenditure targets, taking into account marketing, promotions, fundraising/customer care, event management and processes and data administration
• To ensure that resources and budgets for which responsibility is assigned are managed effectively and efficiently and that activities and services are managed to a high standard
• Manage the selection and appointment of internal and external suppliers.
• Ensure efficient and professional relationships and working practices are maintained with suppliers
• Regularly monitor, evaluate and report the performance of activities, making recommendations for additional investment, strategic or operational adjustments or contingency plans as appropriate
• To ensure all marketing activities accurately communicate The Children’s Society brand
• Maintain an understanding of leading edge practice, market trends and regulatory requirements
• To work with other fundraisers to contribute to the effective management and development of supporters
• To attend events as required and co-ordinate the on the day presence where necessary
• To represent and speak on behalf of The Children’s Society
• Lead projects, undertake ad hoc activities and deputise as required by the Head/Director
  

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

• Substantial experience in a marketing communications or events marketing/management environment, preferably at least one year in a direct marketing context
• Been responsible for the creation and implementation of at least one comprehensive marketing campaign
• An understanding of the charity event industry, preferably in both Team Challenge and running contexts
• An understanding of the mechanics of fundraising, especially through challenges
• Experience in liaising with a wide variety of people both internally and externally, at all levels
• Proven experience of working with databases in a marketing, sales or charity context
• Proven experience of creating promotional materials and web copy/design

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level standard, or equivalent with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  

Skills & Experience

Core Competencies

• Excellent written & verbal communications skills
• Excellent time management and planning skills
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to understand and assimilate data quickly and effectively
• Line management experience is required

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Manage Yourself

• Competence in prioritising workload while taking into account conflicting priorities, working under pressure and keeping to deadlines
• Able to understand complex issues and situations and act decisively

Manage People and Resources

• Manage and coordinate the work and professional development of others
• Set and control complex budgets and allocate resources

Build and Maintain Relationships

• Build good relationships with internal and external suppliers and other departments, guiding short-term decision-making and addressing complex issues

Communicate with others

• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and good presentation skills
• Ability to communicate with others regarding significant business issues

Provide Service to Others

• Work closely with other departments to ensure that high standards of services to other departments are met

Agree and meet targets

• Plan and deliver marketing activity to achieve agreed budgeted income and expenditure targets, and non financial targets
• Able to take ownership of key initiatives and schedule complex work

Lead Others

• Provide leadership as appropriate, giving clear direction, support and guidance to team members and external suppliers

Continuous Improvement

• Develop and monitor continuous improvements to processes and programmes to ensure the team operates to the highest professional standards

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• This post is physically demanding, as the incumbent will be required to lead challenges and work weekends for the Running events

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Society you will require:

• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
• An understanding of Christian values and motivations