Events and Communications Officer

Job Description

Full job description

The Trade Association for the whole UK jewellery trade is looking for an events professional to join the enthusiastic, innovative and friendly team.

As Events and Communications Officer, your core responsibility will be to deliver a series of key national events supported by regional and online opportunities. You will also help to grow the presence of the Association and its members at regional, national and international shows and events to deliver impact and engagement. Finally, you will support the Marketing Manager with ongoing communication activities, including assisting with inbound and outbound press releases.

You will be an enthusiastic member of 'Team NAJ' supported by the Marketing, Membership and Education teams to achieve success.

The salary available for this role is dependent on experience. Our package has several other benefits, including training, increasing holiday allowance, pension, insurance and a day a year to volunteer at your nominated charitable cause.

Is this you?

You will be a diplomatic and confident communicator with excellent project management skills as well as a logical and thorough approach to your work. You will be professional and personable in your approach to internal colleagues, volunteers and member representatives from businesses of all shapes and sizes equally. You will always demonstrate the Association's values of Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism and be a team player and critical friend when appropriate.

You will possess excellent administration skills with the ability to plan, deliver, and reflect on impactful and successful events. You will also benefit from several years of experience managing external suppliers, including sponsors and venues. Over time, you will push forward operational process improvements and contribute ideas that increase participation and engagement with members and supporters.

You will be a key asset at industry trade shows that typically take up some two to three Sundays in Spring and Autumn, and you will organise networking events that are often midweek and take place three to four times a year. NAJ Awards (Autumn) and National Conference (Summer) are also busy times for the Events and Communications Officer.

About us

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) is the trade body for the UK Jewellery industry, shaping professional excellence for more than 1,400 member companies employing over 20,000 people. NAJ is part of the overarching British Allied Trades Federation, which has supported the jewellery and silversmith industry since 1887 and now boasts several federated associations.

NAJ is run by professional and passionate volunteers and a close-knit staff team determined to deliver the best possible support for the membership.

NAJ represents its members to policymakers and trade authorities, develops professional standards, and provides industry education and training and access to relevant and valued benefits and services.

The Role

1. Event management

   To deliver a successful and growing annual events plan and associated budget to achieve engagement targets and deliver positive delegate experiences. Key annual events include, but are not limited to, the NAJ Awards, Education Awards and Annual Conference.

   Standard of performance is achieved when:

   1. Annual event calendar is delivered professionally on time and within budget with continuous improvement strategies demonstrated to improve delegate engagement and experience.
   2. Crucial processes such as booking, preparation and distribution of event materials, event setup, onsite registrations, feedback and evaluation are effectively managed.
   3. Planned activities are documented and formally reviewed quarterly with the Marketing Manager, potential risks are identified, and corrective action is put into place.
   4. Meaningful and robust KPIs are established and used to focus activity.
2. Managing Association and members' presence at other events

   To work with event organisers of non-NAJ events to ensure that the NAJ Team and/or NAJ members make professional and effective contributions to external events.

   Standard of performance is achieved when:

   1. Opportunities for contribution to/ attendance at external events are identified and are shared with the NAJ membership.
   2. Event attendance is effectively managed, including event setup and logistics for team colleagues and, where appropriate, members. E.g. Exhibitions or organising buying trips.
   3. The design and delivery of NAJ’s presence at external events is supported, e.g. Stand design and layout.
   4. Collaboration with British Jewellery Giftware International takes place to identify international export opportunities and to engage members in international trade missions.
3. Event administration management and reporting

   To effectively build up event records and engagement in services through the Association's CRM platform to help members get the most out of their membership.

   Standard of performance is achieved when:

   1. Effective systems are in place to record event attendance and engagement.
   2. Delegates' preferences and schedules are recorded and updated.
   3. Pre-event and post-event communications are delivered on time and within budget.
   4. Delegates, sponsors, and suppliers receive timely responses regarding event queries.
4. Communications support

   To work directly with the Marketing Manager to help deliver the Association’s communications to members, the wider trade and the public.

   Standard of performance is achieved when:

   1. Inbound and member press releases are uploaded in a timely manner and prepared for the Association’s weekly newsletter.
   2. Support, where necessary, is given to assist with the creation of outbound communications, whether directly to members or through the trade press.
   3. Enquiries from social media and other channels are acknowledged and responded to professionally.
5. Flexibility

   To recognise that the Association is a small organisation and that all staff must be willing to work flexibly and to undertake, from time to time, such other duties as may reasonably be requested, to provide a quality service to members, suppliers, consumers and colleagues.

   Standard of Performance is achieved when:

   You undertake tasks outside your normal area of responsibility with a positive and productive attitude, e.g. help prepare marketing materials, provide cover during staff holidays, answer ringing phones and assist with exhibitions and events.

   You share your knowledge and skills with your colleagues to benefit the Association.

6. Health, Safety and Security

   To be responsible for always observing the Association's guidelines on Health and Safety and adherence to the Association's IT policies and procedures.

   Standard of Performance is achieved when:

   1. You take your Health and Safety and that of your colleagues seriously and follow the company guidelines at all times.
   2. You adhere to the Association's IT policies and procedures at all times.
   3. You report safety and security concerns to your line manager or appropriate personnel.
7. CRM

   To be responsible for utilising the CRM system, contributing to the 'Golden Records' ethos and adhering to training, policies, and procedures.

   Standard of performance is achieved when:

   1. Mandatory training is completed and signed off.
   2. All interactions with members or potential leads are logged in line with procedures.
   3. Oomi is used in line with all relevant processes and policies implemented.

Person Specification

Essential

1. Work Experience

Experience in a particular type of job, e.g. previous experience in a membership organisation.

- A track record of event organisation and management.

- Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.

1. Qualifications

Academic or professional qualifications

- Educated to A Level or equivalent standard.

- Proficient in the use of MS suite.

1. Specific Skills

E.g. interpersonal skills, presentation skills, analytical skills, etc.

- Methodical, Tenacious, Conscientious, Adaptable, Problem-solving.

- Clear communicator, particularly extensive and complex messages in accessible language to a range of stakeholders.

- Able to grow positive relationships with suppliers, members and colleagues at all levels.

- First-class organisational, time management and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to multi-task and meet targets and deadlines while ensuring attention to detail.

- Ability to manage a heavy workload in the run-up to and after events.

1. Personal Attributes

E.g. determination, dependability, leadership, team worker, etc.

- Reliable.

- Confident.

- Strong professional image.

- Strong work ethic and ability to work on own initiative but able to seek help when needed.

- Strong attention to detail.

- Possesses a growth mindset.

1. Other circumstances

E.g.. Need to travel, working some later evenings and weekends etc.

- Lives close to Birmingham for reasonable commute.

Desirable

1. Work Experience

- Jewellery/ Fashion industry.

1. Qualifications

- Degree.

- JET 1.

- Jewellery Qualifications.

1. Specific Skills

- Self-developing/ learning.

- Ambitious.

- Target driven.

- Creative mind.

- Ability to receive feedback and reflect.

1. Personal Attributes

- Confident in the use of technology and digital tools.

- Likes to learn, likes to teach.

- Empathetic.

The role is office based with the flexibility to also work from home, the role is Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work required.

The closing date for applications is the Sunday 24th November.

We expect interviews to take place on the 9th and 10th December.

Due to large volumes of applications, if you have not heard from us by 13th December, please assume your application was unsuccessful.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract.

Contract length: 12 months.

Pay: £31,000.00-£32,500.00 per year.

Additional pay:

Performance bonus.

Benefits:

Company pension.

Health & wellbeing programme.

Life insurance.

Paid volunteer time.

Sick pay.

Experience:

Microsoft Office: 1 year (required).

Project management: 1 year (required).

Work Location: In person.

Application deadline: 24/11/2024.