Event Operations Executive

The Opportunity

Tech Nation, supercharged by Founders Forum Group, is the leading growth platform and industry body for startups and scaleups across the UK. We deliver around 80 dynamic events each year, ranging from intimate founder dinners and hands-on workshops to high-impact pitch showcases, conferences, and retreats. With event sizes typically between 20 and 200 guests, we are constantly innovating and evolving our approach to best serve our vibrant community of UK startups and scaleups.

We’re looking for an Event Operations Executive to join our passionate team and play a key role in the planning and delivery of events across Tech Nation’s programmes and flagship initiatives. This role is ideal for someone with around 2 years of hands-on experience in events who is ready to step up and take on more ownership and responsibility. If you're looking to accelerate your career in event operations and make a real impact in the UK tech ecosystem, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

Event Operations & Project Management

• Own the end-to-end delivery of Tech Nation events, including scheduling, budget management, venue sourcing, catering, production, supplier coordination, staff briefings, and on-site management.
• Maintain the central event schedule and ensure our Notion master plan is always up to date.
• Track costs, manage forecasts, and ensure events are delivered within budget.

• For larger events, create and manage detailed project plans with clear expectations, timelines, and deliverables for all stakeholders.
• Lead on supplier sourcing and contract negotiation for venues, AV, catering, staffing, security, and other event needs.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Collaborate with Programme Leads to develop clear event briefs, supporting them on content development, agendas, speaker requirements, and run-of-show timings.
• Partner with the Marketing team to coordinate guestlists, name badges, dietary requirements, event branding, and photography/videography.
• Work with the Partnerships team to ensure all partner deliverables are fulfilled in line with contractual agreements.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the creative development of events, bringing ideas that elevate the guest experience and increase event value and impact.
• Participate in post-event debriefs and strategic reviews, identifying opportunities to improve processes and experiences.

You’ll thrive in this role if…

• You're looking for a role to build on your first couple of years of experience in event operations and take on more responsibility
• You have entrepreneurial drive - you’re creative, resilient, and self-motivated
• You’re proactive, solutions-oriented, and love a challenge
• You’re a collaborative team player who brings energy and positivity to every project
• You’re passionate about tech, startups and innovation (Or keen to learn!)
• You’re a strong communicator, comfortable engaging with senior internal stakeholders, founders, partners, and speakers
• You’re a meticulous planner and can manage multiple projects simultaneously whilst maintaining a strong attention to detail
• You have experience in creating and managing budgets and are confident in sourcing, negotiating, and managing relationships with suppliers and vendors

Requirements

• Around 2 years of hands-on experience in event operations or event management
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Strong knowledge of UK venues and suppliers 
• Able to work early mornings and weekday evenings on event days 
• Happy to travel internationally occasionally if required (not guaranteed)
• Knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tech ecosystem in the UK is an advantage but not essential
• Driving licence is a bonus but not essential
• The right to work in the UK

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience, with an annual discretionary bonus
• 25 days contractual annual leave
• Enhanced discretionary leave provision, including an additional day off for your birthday and leave between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Option to work remotely anywhere in the world for 3 weeks/year (1 week at Easter and 2 weeks during July/August) 
• Health insurance, with the option to add dependents
• Life Insurance
• AIG Smart Health access including online GP access and mental health support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive pension provision
• Perkbox membership with generous points allocation for day-to-day purchases
• Learning and development annual allowance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Lunch 1x/week, office snacks, and regular team drinks
• Quarterly team activities and annual team day out 
• Access to the Founders Forum Group network of businesses and wider tech ecosystem

We currently have a working model of 4 days spent in the office and 1 day with the option to work from home/remotely.