Location: London, United Kingdom
Working Hours: Full-time
Reports To: Head of Business Operations and Finance
Direct Reports: Events Associate, and management of temporary event staff, volunteers and contractors when relevant
Right to Work: Right to work in the UK is required
Travel: International travel required
About AVCA
The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) is the pan-African industry body championing private capital investment in Africa.
AVCA acts as a trusted independent source of information, insight and intelligence, connecting, equipping and educating investors, fund managers, advisors, entrepreneurs, professional services firms and other stakeholders across the private capital ecosystem.
As a member organisation, AVCA creates value through advocacy, data and intelligence, community building and capacity building. Through its flagship conferences, summits, roundtables, training programmes and networking platforms, AVCA plays a leading role in convening the African private capital ecosystem and showcasing the impact of private capital investment across the continent.
About the Role
The Events Manager is responsible for the planning, management and operational delivery of AVCA’s events portfolio across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. This includes flagship conferences, summits, roundtables, member meetings, networking receptions, webinars, strategic initiative events, partner-led forums and other bespoke convening activities delivered in support of AVCA’s wider organisational priorities.
Reporting to the Head of Business Operations & Finance, the Events Manager will ensure that all AVCA events are delivered to a consistently high standard, on time, within budget and in line with AVCA’s strategic priorities, brand and reputation.
The Events Manager will play a key role in strengthening AVCA’s events function by improving delivery processes, supplier management, event systems, delegate experience, budget control and post-event reporting.
The role will also line manage the Events Associate, providing day-to-day guidance, oversight and support to ensure the Events team operates effectively across AVCA’s annual events calendar.
Key Responsibilities
1. End-to-End Event Planning, Delivery and Review
- Lead the end-to-end planning, delivery and post-event review of AVCA’s events portfolio, including conferences, summits, roundtables, member meetings, networking receptions, webinars and other convening activities.
- Support the delivery of events linked to AVCA’s strategic initiative programmes, partnerships and special projects, ensuring event execution aligns with agreed programme objectives, funder requirements, stakeholder expectations and AVCA’s delivery standards.
- Manage event workplans, timelines, venues, logistics, suppliers, production, registration, delegate materials, speaker support, onsite execution, issue resolution and structured post-event closure, including lessons learned and recommendations for future improvement.
2. Financial Management and Budget Control
- Collaborate with the Head of Business Operations & Finance and relevant stakeholders in the preparation, management and monitoring of event budgets.
- Track event income, expenditure, supplier costs and budget variances throughout the event lifecycle.
- Lead post-event financial reconciliation and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency and value for money.
3. Delegate Experience and Event Engagement
- Oversee the delegate journey from registration through to post-event follow-up, ensuring clear communication and a high-quality attendee experience.
- Manage registration systems, delegate data, event platforms and engagement tools to support smooth event participation.
- Collect and analyse delegate feedback, attendance data and engagement insights to improve future events.
4. Sponsor, Speaker and Stakeholder Coordination
- Coordinate event-related requirements for sponsors, speakers, members, partners and senior stakeholders.
- Support sponsor acquisition as needed.
- Support sponsor fulfilment, speaker logistics, branding, visibility, session requirements and onsite support.
- Act as a professional point of contact for event-related queries, escalating risks or issues where appropriate.
5. Supplier, Vendor and Procurement Management
- Lead procurement and coordination of event suppliers, including venues, AV, production, catering, registration, design, print, transport and other event services.
- Prepare supplier briefs, obtain quotations, support contract negotiation and manage supplier delivery against agreed timelines, budgets and service levels.
- Maintain a supplier directory and conduct post-event vendor performance reviews to support continuous improvement and value for money.
6. Event Governance, Processes and Compliance
- Develop, maintain and improve AVCA’s event SOPs, templates, checklists, trackers and delivery frameworks.
- Ensure events are planned and delivered in accordance with approved timelines, internal processes and governance requirements.
- Maintain accurate event documentation, including budgets, contracts, supplier records, attendee lists, workplans, risk logs and post-event reports.
7. Digital Platforms, CRM and Automation
- Oversee the operational use of AVCA’s event registration systems, CRM workflows, conference apps and delegate engagement platforms.
- Work with internal teams and technology providers to improve event data accuracy, registration, communications, reporting and automation.
- Monitor platform adoption and engagement analytics, resolve system issues and identify opportunities for workflow improvement.
8. Team Leadership and Management
- Line manage, support and develop the Events Associate.
- Allocate responsibilities across the Events team and provide day-to-day guidance, feedback and performance support.
- Manage temporary staff, volunteers and contractors during major event delivery periods to ensure effective resourcing and smooth delivery.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Degree or equivalent professional experience in events management, business, marketing, communications or a related discipline.
- At least 5 years’ experience in events management, including experience delivering conferences, summits or complex multi-stakeholder events.
- Proven experience managing end-to-end event delivery, including budgeting, logistics, supplier management, registration, delegate communications, sponsor coordination, onsite delivery and post-event reporting.
- Experience managing event budgets and tracking income and expenditure.
- Experience supervising staff, contractors, volunteers or project teams.
- Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple events, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Strong supplier and vendor management experience, including procurement, negotiation and performance monitoring.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior executives, members, sponsors, speakers and partners.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Experience using CRM, event registration, email marketing or event management platforms.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and international environment.
- Flexibility and willingness to travel internationally.
Desirable but Not Essential
- Experience working in a membership organisation, professional association, financial services, investment, private equity, venture capital or international development environment.
- Experience delivering events across Africa or other emerging markets.
- Experience using Salesforce, Fonteva, Jujama, Asana, WordPress, Mailchimp or similar systems.
- Understanding of private capital, investment, financial markets or Africa-focused business ecosystems.
- Experience managing conference apps, digital engagement platforms or virtual event tools.
- French language skills and/or experience delivering events in Francophone markets would be an advantage, particularly for coordinating with venues, suppliers, delegates, speakers and local partners.
Success Factors
- Highly organised and delivery focused, with the ability to manage multiple complex events, timelines and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Commercially aware and financially disciplined with strong budget control, supplier negotiation and value-for-money judgement.
- Calm, proactive and solutions-oriented, particularly during live event delivery when issues need to be resolved quickly and professionally.
- Strong in stakeholder and vendor management, with confidence working with senior speakers, sponsors, members, venues and international suppliers.
- A capable team leader, able to guide, support and develop the Events Associate, contractors and event support staff.
Remuneration
A competitive salary, commensurate with experience, together with a generous benefits package.
Application Process