Events Manager

Job Introduction

Bradford is on an extraordinary journey.

As the UK City of Culture 2025, Bradford is entering a defining era built on creativity, investment, and community spirit. The district is transforming, physically, economically, and culturally. New public spaces, landmark venues, and regeneration projects are reshaping how people live, work, and connect.

From the pedestrianisation of the city centre to the revival of Bradford Live, City Village and the Southern Gateway, these projects represent a district with renewed confidence and ambition. With large scale regeneration investment already in motion, Bradford’s momentum is real and it’s accelerating.

We’re now looking for an exceptional Events Manager to help lead this next phase, shaping and delivering the events and experiences that showcase Bradford’s transformation to the world.

You’ll join the Place Marketing Team, a creative, collaborative group that tells Bradford’s story to local, national, and global audiences. We work closely with the Head of Economic Development, Head of Growth and the Service Enablement Team and cut across other departments to bring together culture, business, regeneration, and communications. Our focus is on promoting Bradford as a place to invest, visit, and belong, while delivering projects that make a tangible impact on how the district is seen and experienced.

The role:

As Events Manager, you’ll take the lead in delivering and coordinating high-profile business and professional events that promote Bradford’s growth, regeneration, and economic identity. You’ll also support colleagues across the team by helping drive forward major special events taking place across the district.

You’ll be the first point of contact for event and commercial enquiries, keeping the clash diary organised, managing bookings, and offering clear, expert advice to partners, organisers, and stakeholders. You’ll play a key role in maintaining Bradford’s reputation as a welcoming, well-managed, and ambitious destination for events and conferences.

Your remit covers the full spectrum of event management, from planning and logistics to health and safety. You’ll lead on producing risk assessments, safeguarding, and emergency procedures; coordinate with emergency services and Council teams, and ensure every event runs safely and efficiently.

This is a hands-on role that requires strong leadership, calm under pressure, and confidence in decision-making. You’ll oversee event staff and resources, manage contractors and suppliers, and take responsibility for on-site operations.

 The main responsibilities of this role:

• Lead on the production of event documentation, including risk assessments, safeguarding, emergency procedures and safety plans. 
• Work directly with emergency services, safety partners and Council teams to ensure safe and compliant delivery of events. 
• Plan and oversee audience management, logistics, safety and contingency strategies for major events. 
• Manage event staff and resources, whether internal, freelance or external partners, and support lead officers on operations and health and safety. 
• Collaborate with sponsors, partners and responsible officers to deliver engagement, income and resources across the annual events calendar. 
• Coordinate Council processes so independent producers, small businesses and co-promoters can deliver conferences and events smoothly. 
• Develop strong working relationships with businesses, suppliers, traders and community groups at local, national and international level. 
• Take the lead on project management and delivery of key conferences and flagship events in the programme. 
• Act as the main contact for venue availability and maintain relationships with venue providers and suppliers. 
• Prepare specifications and tender documents for equipment, services and structures, and manage procurement. 
• Chair production and safety planning meetings with staff, partners, contractors and emergency services. 
• Support the creation of promotional materials and marketing campaigns to raise the profile of events. 

23 month contract. May be extended subject to further funding.

What We’re Looking For

You’re an experienced events professional with a track record of delivering complex, high-profile events safely and successfully. You combine creative vision with operational discipline. You’re a strong communicator, confident working with senior leaders, sponsors, and partners from across public and private sectors. You understand what makes a great audience experience and have the organisational ability to make it happen.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact Andrea Mills-Taylor at andrea.mills-taylor@bradford.gov.uk

Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf .

Equal Opportunities 

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants. 

 The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.