Senior Programme and Events Manager

Reports to: Head of Programmes
Line manages: Programme Executive
Works closely with: Membership and Marketing team, external partners, stakeholders, and suppliers
Location: Manchester (Hybrid – typically 3 days in the office, rising to 5 during delivery periods; includes local site delivery across Greater Manchester)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)
Contract: Permanent
Start date: As soon as possible

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Job Summary

This is a high-impact role for a commercially driven professional who can combine exceptional programme and event management skills with strong business development acumen.

As Senior Programme and Events Manager, you will take ownership of an ambitious portfolio of initiatives designed to drive digital skills, diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. You will lead high-profile programmes like Digital Her and the city-region’s flagship Digital Skills Festival, managing all aspects of design, delivery, stakeholder engagement, and impact evaluation.

Critically, you will also be accountable for achieving revenue targets through proactive sponsorship acquisition and partnership development. This includes identifying, prospecting, and closing business development opportunities to secure income that sustains and grows Manchester Digital’s work. You will build a strong sponsorship pipeline, lead on pitching to senior decision-makers, and deliver strategic commercial outcomes alongside community impact.

This role suits someone confident in navigating senior external relationships, with a proven track record in securing sponsorship or commercial partnerships.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Programme and Event Leadership

• Act as the lead for a portfolio of programmes and events, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard.
• Own all aspects of programme administration including reporting, risk management, budgeting, and evaluation.
• Design, organise and deliver high-profile events and initiatives aligned with Manchester Digital’s mission.
• Manage and grow a community of volunteers, role models, speakers, and industry experts to support programme success.
  

Commercial Revenue Generation

• Be directly accountable for achieving revenue targets across key programmes and events.
• Proactively identify, prospect and secure sponsorship and partnership opportunities, developing a strong and sustainable pipeline.
• Lead on pitching to, negotiating with and closing deals with senior stakeholders in partner organisations.
• Contribute to the development of new commercial products, income streams and diversification strategies.
• Manage and report on revenue performance, ensuring alignment with organisational growth goals.

Digital Skills Festival – Event Delivery Lead

• Lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of the annual Digital Skills Festival, the region’s flagship event for digital skills and careers.
• Manage all sponsor onboarding and pre-event communications, ensuring expectations are clearly set and fulfilled.
• Oversee audience experience and engagement, including scheduling, ticketing, and on-the-day logistics.
• Line manage event staff and volunteers, providing clear roles, training, and support.
• Act as the primary liaison for venues and external suppliers, managing relationships, schedules, and contracts.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Building

• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, educators, businesses, and wider stakeholders.
• Undertake outreach and engagement activities to promote programmes and attract new commercial partners.
• Promote and celebrate programme successes through appropriate channels, including social media.

Compliance and Evaluation

• Ensure data capture and reporting meets programme and organisational requirements.
• Adhere to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, data protection and GDPR policies.

Objectives of the Role

• Achieve commercial targets: Secure sponsorship and partnerships that meet agreed revenue goals.
• Deliver engaging programmes and events: Manage initiatives that support skills development, diversity and career progression.
• Drive growth and sustainability: Build and maintain a healthy commercial pipeline and income diversification strategy.
• Advance diversity and inclusion: Lead initiatives that enhance representation in the tech sector.

Key Skills and Competencies for Success

Commercial and Business Development

• Proven ability to achieve revenue targets through sponsorship acquisition or corporate partnerships.
• Strong commercial acumen with confidence in prospecting, pitching and closing deals.
• Experience building and managing a sponsorship pipeline.

Programme and Event Management

• Experience curating and delivering impactful programmes and high-profile events.
• Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Understanding of project management principles and tools.

Communication and Relationship Building

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with senior decision-makers.
• Skilled in managing and nurturing diverse stakeholder relationships.

Technical and Digital Skills

• Proficiency in GSuite/MS Office and digital collaboration tools.
• Experience using Canva, Adobe or similar design tools.

Personal Attributes

• Innovative self-starter with a solutions-focused mindset.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Alignment with Manchester Digital’s mission and values.
• Comfortable and resilient working to targets and multiple deadlines.

Additional Information

Part of this role involves working with children and young people. An enhanced DBS check is required and will be undertaken by Manchester Digital during the recruitment process. You will be asked to declare anything that may affect this as part of the application process.

This is a full-time role. The role is hybrid, with an expectation of 3 days per week in our Manchester office. During peak delivery periods (e.g. events season or supporting key delivery) this may rise to 5 days a week in-person.

Why Work with Us?

• Be part of an impactful, values-driven organisation championing digital skills, inclusion, and growth in the tech sector
  
  
• Gain exposure to a wide range of stakeholders including tech employers, educators, and local authorities
  
  
• Work in a small, ambitious, supportive team with opportunities for progression and development
  
  
• Access to training and mentoring to develop your business development, events and stakeholder engagement skills
  
  
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, plus office closure over the festive period
  
  

Manchester Digital is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from people underrepresented in the tech and digital sectors, including but not limited to people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people and those from lower-income or care-experienced backgrounds.

Right to Work:

Please note that Manchester Digital does not offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the legal right to work and reside in the UK.

Apply 

If you are excited by this role, we want to hear from you. Email a cover letter aligned to the role profile above (applications will not be considered without it), and a copy of your CV, tailor for this position to emma@manchesterdigital.com

We will close recruitment as soon as enough suitable applicants have been identified to shortlist. 

The recruitment process will be:

• Shortlisting
• Initial short telephone or remote interview
• Full interview 

Interviews will take place as soon as possible. 

Recruiters are kindly requested not to contact us at this stage. Direct applications only, please.