Policy and Events Coordinator

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Job description

Context

West London Business (WLB) works to ensure West London is an amazing place to do business. North-West London is the UK's global gateway and world's most connected place. A £70billion+ GVA economy it is underpinned by 120,000+ businesses. We are a non-profit business-led organisation with a membership including corporations such as Heathrow and SEGRO, key regional firms such as Garden Studios and Charlie Bigham's, education institutions and small businesses. We have a membership of 200+ organisations, 30,000+ supporters and 30+ events per annum, including the West London Business Awards.

Our members work together through WLB to maintain our global economic competitiveness and catalyse action for people and planet.

Over the next three years our work programme will be focussed on delivering delivery the WLB Strategy 2023-25. Localising the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is embedded in the strategy.

Our work programme seeks to inform and influence the work of local, regional and national government policymakers and promote inward investment and responsible business.

Job Purpose

To support and co-ordinate the delivery of WLB's policy and events programme.

Main Responsibilities

Policy development (34% of time)

• Responsible for supporting the Chief Executive and Policy Working Groups in the production of briefing papers and reports to support WLB's public policy work on:
  • Transport and infrastructure
  • The Built Environment
  • Education and Skills
  • Environment and climate change (This is coordinated by the Green Business Action Supply Chain Director)
• Maintain policy content and related news on the WLB website.
• Support the production of written statements of the West London Business position and news releases on salient policy issues.
• Maintaining an awareness of developments in key policy areas influencing the global competitiveness of business in West London.
• Proactively monitor and research information sources (i.e. web sites, TV/ radio/ newspapers and publications) to identify and report on issues relevant to WLB and our members.
• Responsible for keeping Policy contacts up-to-date on Salesforce CRM database.
• Day-to-day line management/ liaison any volunteers supporting WLB's policy programme.

Shaping the policy debate through events and surfacing best practice/ celebrating success through the West London Business Awards (66% of time)

• Support the Chief Executive in designing and scheduling an annual events programme that reflects member-led policy/ thematic priorities.
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of delivery of the WLB Events programme (30+ events during 2024 and the West London Business Awards):
  • produce invitations and tickets using Arlo ( ) events management platform and email as appropriate
  • liaise directly with potential speakers and business leaders and officials to co-ordinate attendance at all events
  • produce attendees' lists, badges and agenda for the events
  • researching and drafting scripts for webcasts
  • work with the Chief Executive to negotiate event contracts with primary suppliers
  • monitor individual event budgets, ensure invoices are raised for event sales where required and liaise with finance on chasing any debtors
  • initiate and develop high quality marketing and promotional material in support of all events in a timely manner, including the Events Calendar
  • draft briefing notes where required for contributors to events, including prospective sponsors
• Responsible for maintaining and developing the content of the Policy and Events sections of to include a listing of all WLB events and appropriate details.
• Responsible with the Chief Executive for undertaking evaluation and analysis of all WLB events and feeding improvements into future events.
• Responsible for keeping Events contacts up-to-date on Salesforce CRM database.
• Day-to-day line management/ liaison any volunteers supporting WLB's events programme.

Decision Making

• Identification of improvement to policy and events-related systems, procedures and practices.

Working Relationships

• Chief Executive, Head of Membership and any other staff and volunteers
• Daily communications with WLB members and supporters through email, telephone, post, and face-to-face
• Contact with the WLB Board through the Chief Executive
• Outsourced marketing
• Outsourced book-keeping support
• Internal team to secure their input to policy and events scheduling
• Health and Safety and Fire Officers to ensure that steps are taken to ensure the safety and comfort of participants in events
• Design and printing companies for some policy/ events publications
• External photographers, caterers, audio-visual providers etc.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) - Subjects such as Politics, Economics, Geography, Public administration or Policy studies.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of a policy or events team either working professionally or as a volunteer.

Knowledge

Essential

• A working knowledge and understanding of the policy and events field
• Knowledge of the production and delivery of high quality external communications

Desirable

• Demonstrable knowledge of the North-West London geography and/or key WLB policy themes.
• Knowledge of political processes
• Understanding of processes for securing corporate sponsorship

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills in a range of styles from drafting publications to blog articles
• Good oral communication skills to work effectively with professionals at all levels
• Good prioritising and self-management skills to work effectively alone, as well as part of a team
• Capable of rapidly mastering new subjects and developing new policy ideas
• Excellent IT skills, including Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint and Word, including mail merge

Desirable

• Editing and proofreading skills
• Able to use Mailchimp, Arlo, Xero and/or Salesforce
• Creative flair and innovative ideas to shape how we deliver inspiring events
• Financially literate - ability to understand and interpret financial and statistical data

Disposition

Essential

• Organised
• Quick learner
• Careful, accurate, pays attention to detail
• Able to work to deadlines
• Willingness to learn and share skills with colleagues
• Confident
• Calm under pressure
• Able to work on own and as part of a team
• Able to communicate with people at all levels
• Pleasant telephone and email manner
• Energetic with a positive approach to enthuse and motivate

Salary and benefits

£26,000-29,840 per annum depending on experience.

20 days holiday, plus bank holidays - rising by one a day per year of service to max 25 days after five years service.

Employee healthcare and pension.

Permanent post. Applicants must have current right to work in UK.

Application

By Cover Letter and CV via the button below.

Early applications encouraged. Deadline 12noon on Wedesday 23 October 2024.

Interview in w/c 4 th November. Successful applicant available to start from Monday 25 November 2024.

The post will be based at Venture X White City. Two days a week (Mon/ Fri) working from home are optional.

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