British Medical Association
Head of Conference Unit
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About the BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. We represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students.
Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession.
About the role
We have a unique opportunity for a senior conference and events professional to join us on a fixed term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of extension or permanency.
As Head of Conference Unit, you will be responsible for the development, oversight and operational delivery of a diverse portfolio of conferences, events, training programmes and meetings. You will lead all logistical and operational arrangements for our flagship programme of events including the Annual Representative Meeting (ARM) one of the most high profile events in the calendar year. You will be responsible for managing complex planning schedules while ensuring the successful delivery of events on time, within budget and to the highest professional standards.
This is a hybrid role based at BMA House.
As a Head of Conference Unit you will:
- Lead the planning and delivery of large-scale, complex conferences and events.
- Manage and develop the conference team, creating high-performing staff and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Project manage key events, including logistical planning, creating commercial agreements and managing financial resources.
- Negotiating contracts and build relationships with venues, suppliers and external partners.
- Deliver outstanding stakeholder management, through attuned communication, influencing and negotiation skills
- Work autonomously, making sound decisions and responding effectively to changing priorities
- Deliver a customer-focused approach and a commitment to delivering high-quality services
- Remain calm and professional under pressure while managing multiple priorities and fixed deadlines
As a Head of Conference Unit you’ll have:
- Significant experience leading the planning and delivery of large-scale, complex conferences and events
- Proven experience managing teams and developing high-performing staff
- Strong project management, organisational and budget management skills
- Experience negotiating contracts and managing relationships with venues, suppliers and external partners
- Outstanding stakeholder management, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
- The confidence to work autonomously, make sound decisions and respond effectively to changing priorities
- A customer-focused approach and a commitment to delivering high-quality services.
- The ability to remain calm and professional under pressure while managing multiple priorities and fixed deadlines
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Why work for us?
We offer a wide range of benefits including:
- 30 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a BMA company day
- Double matching pension contributions up to 12% of salary
- Additional leave entitlement for volunteering, moving house or wedding leave (after completion of probationary period)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Group Income protection & life assurance that is seven times your annual salary
- Annual salary reviews & incremental salary increases from year one to year three
- Onsite gym and subsidised café (at BMA House in London)
- Electric Vehicle and Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme's (available after completion of probationary period)
- Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available
- Long service recognition every 5 years
- Professional subscription cover where membership of a professional institution is required for your role
- BMA Law - discounted rates for employees requiring legal services such as will writing/conveyancing
- Multiple flexible benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform
- Lots of Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub
- Season ticket loan (up to £10,000) (after completion of probationary period)
- Additional annual leave- buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
Anonymous recruitment
The BMA endeavours to be an inclusive employer, ensuring fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for roles. To support our aims, we use specific software to remove all personal identifying information from CVs and applications. Personal information such as name, date of birth, age and gender are anonymised and will only become visible to hiring managers if you are selected for interview.
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To apply please upload an up to date version of your CV and supporting information setting out your suitability for the role.
Whether the role needs you to work at home, in an office or in a hybrid way, we`ll provide all the support you need.
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply through our website. However, if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email recruitment@bma.org.uk.
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
The role profile outlines the current key responsibilities and expectations for the position. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) is presently engaged in an organisation design process, which aims to ensure that our structure, roles, and ways of working best support our strategic objectives and the needs of our members. As a result, the responsibilities and scope of this role may be subject to change as the association evolves. The BMA is committed to communicating any such changes transparently and supporting colleagues through any transitions that arise as part of this process.
Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring:
Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity. BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.
Please note, we are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system and we do not hold a sponsorship licence.
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