Conference Services Manager – Events and Short Academic Programmes

LMH seeks to appoint a dedicated and dynamic Conference Services Manager for our Events and Short Academic Programmes (SAP) business. The Conference Services Manager plays a key role in delivering Lady Margaret Hall's successful commercial operations, managing key aspects of the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes and leading the College's year-round conference and events business. Together, these activities generate valuable income in support of the College's academic mission.

As part of the dedicated Short Academic Programmes team, the postholder will manage the residential, social and cultural experience for students attending the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes, ensuring they enjoy a welcoming, well-organised and memorable stay. The postholder will also lead the Conference team, which manages a wide range of events from day meetings and residential conferences to B&B bookings, banquets, weddings and summer schools. The Conference team provides event management, teaching room set-up and audio visual support for the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes, and delivers the set-up and AV for internal bookings and events.

This is a varied and hands-on management role, leading a friendly and experienced team while working closely with colleagues across the College, including Catering, Housekeeping, the Porters’ Lodge and Accounts. It offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the continued success and growth of the College's commercial activities. We are looking for an organised, motivating and customer-focused leader who enjoys working collaboratively, thrives in a busy environment and takes pride in delivering exceptional service.

In return, you will join a supportive College community where your work will have a direct impact on both the visitor experience and the wider academic mission of Lady Margaret Hall. Reporting to: Director of Short Academic Programmes, Conferences and Events Responsible for: Events Manager x 2, AV Technician, AV & Facilities Assistant Liaison with: SAP Academic Director, SAP Administrator, Domestic Bursar, Deputy Domestic Bursar, Catering, Housekeeping and Lodge teams, Management Accountant, Estates Manager Manage the College’s Conference and Events business, leading the co-ordination and delivery of commercial conferences and events, and, from time to time, specific internal events. Establish quality standards for the Conference team, leading Conference team capability, commitment and ethos.

Set and meet income and profit targets for the Conference business. Identify improvements and innovations in the vision and strategy for the social and cultural elements of the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes, in partnership with other members of the SAP team. Organise and deliver the non-academic elements of the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes to ensure that the students have an excellent and safe experience.

Recruit, and manage the supervision of students from within the University of Oxford as ‘Residential Advisors’ (RAs). Residential advisors are responsible for supporting Programme students and helping with arrival and departure days and social and cultural activities. The successful candidate will be an energetic and enthusiastic team leader, results-oriented, willing to work hard and committed to excellent customer service.

Working in collaboration with others, they will be able to develop and improve the strategy for the non-academic elements of the short academic programmes and the Conference business. They will have excellent communication and collaboration skills. They will enjoy motivating and managing colleagues to realise the vision and deliver great results.

In addition, the post-holder will have good organisational, planning and time-management skills. They will care about the details on which great customer experiences are built. Overall, we are seeking an experienced manager who thrives on challenge, and is excited about being part of an expanding business.