Events Manager Cape Town/Pretoria/Durban at HSRC

Job Advert Summary    

• The strategic vision of the Communications and Engagement Unit is aligned to the three-fold mandate of the Impact Centre, which is to work towards the relevance, visibility and impact of HSRC research as noted in the HSRC Impact Strategy. In contributing to this mandate, the unit aims to enhance awareness and appreciation of the HSRC brand (research and human capital) among stakeholders, research users and consumers, internally and externally. The unit’s activities include executing all internal and external communications to enhance the reach and possible uptake of HSRC research. The unit also maintains the institution’s brand quality and reputation.

The communication and engagement unit seeks to appoint an Event Manager on a permanent contract.

Minimum Requirements    
Key Requirements:

• An honours degree (NQF 8) in Events Management or Business Management or Social Sciences;
• 10 years minimum experience in Events Management;
• 5-year minimum experience in the Science and Innovation landscape
• Experience in managing between 2-5 academic conferences – managing panels, speakers, travel and accommodation
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• High level of computer literacy, especially in the MS office Suite-MS Word, Excel, Access and Project and database management;
• A masters degree will be an added advantage.

Duties & Responsibilities    
Key Responsibilities:

Manage the engagements sub-unit;

Drive high level engagements for the organisation;

Experience in event planning, design and implementation;

Manage a schedule of all planned events for the organisation;

Ability to quickly build, manage and sustain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders;

Conduct database research to ensure that the right people are invited to key organisational events;

Provide feedback and periodic reports to stakeholders;

Propose ideas to improve provided services and event quality;

Organize facilities / online systems and manage all events details such as catering, transportation, location, invitee list, special guests, equipment, promotional material etc;

Ensure compliance with all policies;

Specify staff requirements and coordinate their activities;

High level of diplomacy skills and the ability to balance competing interests and manage multiple stakeholders with complex and competing objectives;

Proactively handle any emerging issues and problems on the day of the event;

Conduct pre- and post – event evaluations and report on outcomes;

Database management.