Director of Events

Company Description

About Us

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live – whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We’re home to more than 120 brands – from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It’s our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us Britain and Ireland’s largest commercial news publisher. We reach around 70% of the UK’s online population, 10% of the US online population, and over 100 million social followers around the world, connecting with them on who they are, where they live and what they love.

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we’re much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

About this role

Step into a role where you shape the moments the nation talks about. We are looking for an inspirational, strategic, and commercially minded events leader to own, grow, and evolve Reach’s entire events portfolio – with Pride of Britain and Pride of Scotland awards! We are looking for a strategic and passionate leader capable of taking these iconic institutions to the next level, as well as leveraging our renowned portfolio of brands such The Mirror, The Express, and OK! into the events space.

This role goes far beyond event delivery. You will be responsible for building a scalable, revenue-generating, culturally relevant events business that strengthens Reach’s position as the UK’s most powerful digital, social and storytelling network. You will oversee Pride of Britain and Pride of Scotland while also defining and delivering a broader strategic events roadmap that brings our brands, audiences and commercial partners together in powerful, distinctive ways.

You will own the full lifecycle of our major events – from creative vision and production through to commercial strategy, distribution, partnerships and audience growth – working in deep collaboration with editorial, studio, sales and marketing teams across Reach. You will also lead and grow a high-performing team, setting the standard for excellence, creativity and ambition.

You’ll secure and manage top-tier venues, suppliers, talent and TV production, and will work with high profile talent and Pride winners. You’ll be hands-on and will oversee production, logistics, timelines, budgets and operations across the events portfolio, and lead talent strategy including hosts, presenters, celebrities, influencers and contributors.

What you need to succeed

We are looking for a successful and reputable events and brand leader with experience delivering iconic live, broadcast and social-first experiences. It is essential that you possess a strong commercial acumen with experience working closely with sales teams, advertisers and sponsors.

You’ll have proven experience in broadcast production and high-profile live events, with a deep understanding of digital, social and influencer-driven content ecosystems. We’re looking for individuals who have experience with securing and managing top-tier venues, suppliers, talent and TV production.

It will be key that you are a strategic thinker who can balance creative ambition with commercial performance, with an entrepreneurial mindset allowing you to be resilient and energised by building and growing a portfolio of events. You’ll be calm, collaborative, solutions-focused and relentlessly ambitious for what this platform can become, with proven ability to manage fast moving projects.

This is a hybrid role working 2 days per week from our Canary Wharf Hub, applicants must be within a

commutable distance from London.

How we’ll look after you

We take good care of our people – and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you’ll get a range of benefits, including:

• 25 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as an extra day after you’ve been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.
• An extra day’s paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.
• Big moment day – an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you – like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)
• Bonus scheme – you’ll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings. – remove if not senior level
• Help saving for your retirement – we’ll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.
• Supportive and progressive people policies – we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn’t have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers. If there’s something you want to understand more about, just ask – it won’t make a difference to your application.
• A healthcare cash plan – giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor’s appointments.
• Car lease scheme – you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.
• Wellbeing support – including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.
• Access to lots of discounts – including 15% off with Reach’s very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.
• Interest-free loans – including for season tickets and technology.

Job DescriptionQualificationsAdditional Information

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

Read Full Description