Events Manager

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As an Events Manager, this is what you’ll be doing:

As an Events Manager, you’ll lead the full lifecycle of event planning and delivery – from strategic development through to seamless execution. You’ll work collaboratively across teams and with stakeholders, ensuring every event is engaging, impactful, and aligned with organisational goals. You’ll manage budgets, analyse performance, embrace innovation, and adapt to evolving industry trends – making a real contribution to our collective success.

We’re looking for someone who brings curiosity, creativity, and commitment to every stage of the events process. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities with strong organisation and initiative. You’ll enjoy collaborating with a wide variety of people, building trusted relationships internally and externally, and communicating with clarity and confidence. You’ll be flexible and resourceful, ready to adapt to change, and bring positive energy to every project – making the process as enjoyable as the outcomes.

Role responsibilities

• Support Director of C&B, Strategic Engagement Manager and events team to organise planned &/or sponsored events.
• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive event strategies aligned with organisational goals.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless integration of events into overall company strategies including but not limited to, content team to develop content rich agendas and source speakers, marketing to establish strategies to promote the events and regional sales directors to ensure we are on track to achieve sponsorship targets.
• Attend and manage the events on site, including leading pre-event briefs with senior leadership and onsite support team.
• Develop and implement risk management plans for events, anticipating and mitigating potential issues.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for events and analyse post-event data to measure success and areas for improvement.
• Prepare detailed reports for stakeholders, highlighting the impact and success of events.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and introduce innovative ideas to enhance the quality and uniqueness of events.
• Participate in strategic decision-making for the overall growth and development of the events department within the organisation.
• Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

• Bachelor’s in hospitality, event management, marketing or related discipline.
• Related industry and event experience, ideally in managing global conferences and knowledge of complexity of handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong time management skills with an understanding of effectively collaborating with colleagues across multiple timezones.
• Proven experience carrying out event marketing efforts, including trade show planning, conference speaker sourcing, attendance, and reporting.
• Experience partnering with an enterprise sales team.
• Highly organised with an ability to manage resources, budgets, and onsite personnel.
• Strong communication skills – written and oral.
• Creative, innovative, with the ability to think outside the box.
• Flexible to take on more/different roles and proficient at managing multiple projects with tight timeline.
• Proficiency with word, event database CRM, knowledge of virtual events platforms

Please note, this position entails being present on-site for extended hours during event days, where you'll need to remain active and mobile for the majority of the time.

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Cycle to work scheme
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.