Challenge Events Lead

Overview

We are seeking an experienced, high-performing Challenge Events Lead to drive forward a flagship portfolio of challenge fundraising events with strategic control, operational excellence and a deep sense of ownership.

This is a senior delivery role, accountable for all aspects of planning, executing and evaluating complex fundraising events across Guy s & St Thomas Foundation, Evelina London Children s Charity, and Guy s Cancer Charity. This position requires someone who can operate independently, manage high-value partnerships, oversee delivery risks, and influence cross-functional teams with credibility.

You will be expected to take initiative, lead relationships and processes without supervision, and support junior colleagues in upholding the highest operational standards. A key element of this role is working closely with the Events Fundraising Co-ordinator to ensure seamless delivery offering guidance and support across all operational touchpoints, while also benefiting from their delivery support in return.

About us

Guy s & St Thomas Charity, Guy s Cancer Charity and Evelina London Children s Charity are part of Guy s & St Thomas Foundation. Our collective mission is to build the foundations of a healthier society.

As part of our team, you will work alongside talented people from a mix of personal and professional backgrounds. We are a Living Wage employer and support flexible working, part-time roles and job shares. Though our ambitions are serious, this is a friendly place to work with lots of opportunities to meet and socialise with colleagues. We believe there is immense power in diversity and aim to recruit and nurture talent who think and act differently.

There is more information about working with us on our website, where you can read about:•

• how we approach recruitment
• our team, culture and values
• the benefits of working with us
• and our approach to diversity, equity & inclusion, health & wellbeing, and learning & development

Overall Purpose of the role

The Challenge Events lead plays a critical role within the fundraising team, combining strategic oversight with a hands-on commitment to delivery excellence. At a time of organisational transformation and ambitious long-term growth, this role is central to building the operational foundations and supporter experiences that will enable our 10-year vision to succeed.

This role will provide clear direction and structure to the planning and execution of our event portfolio, while remaining close to the operational detail streamlining processes, refining supporter journeys, and driving performance through data, insight and continuous improvement.

This role is responsible for setting high standards across everything from partnership engagement to on-the-day execution. It requires someone who is comfortable working autonomously, leading high-value relationships with professionalism and precision, and bringing creative thinking to how we engage and retain our event supporters.

The Challenge Events Lead will also guide and support the Events Fundraising Co-ordinator, working in close partnership to deliver exceptional stewardship across the supporter lifecycle and elevate every touchpoint from first sign-up to post-event celebration.

This is a key opportunity for an experienced event professional to shape the future of events at Guy s & St Thomas Foundation and play a leading role in how we build supporter loyalty, scale income, and strengthen our presence in third-party partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of a portfolio of flagship challenge events including the London Marathon, London Landmarks Half, Brighton Marathon, Ultra Challenges and other third-party partnerships ensuring a high standard of execution and supporter experience.
• Drive and manage Charity of the Year pipelines and partnerships, contributing to long-term income growth and brand visibility through strategic relationship-building and high-profile placement.
• Act as the strategic lead and primary relationship manager for key external partners (e.g. London Marathon Events, delivery agencies), safeguarding supporter experience, brand integrity and value across all touchpoints.
• Oversee console and registration systems, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for participants from sign-up through to post-event engagement, while proactively identifying areas for optimisation.
• Develop and manage detailed event budgets, including forecasting, tracking, reconciliation, and net income reporting with a clear place allocation strategy that aligns with ROI, supporter demand, and market trends.
• Lead on portfolio-level financial accountability, using budget performance, participation data and market insight to inform decisions around where to invest, expand, or strategically scale back ensuring resources are directed where they ll deliver the strongest return and long-term value.
• Lead on supporter acquisition strategy across owned and paid channels including ballot management, grassroots marketing, and behavioural communications to ensure high-quality leads, strong retention and long-term supporter engagement.
• Provide operational oversight, guidance and mentorship to the Events Fundraising Co-ordinator, ensuring clarity of roles, consistency of delivery, and strong compliance across all areas of shared responsibility.
• Collaborate on planning and execution of end-to-end stewardship journeys from registration to celebration ensuring data-led, insight-driven improvements and meaningful supporter experiences at every stage.

Work environment

• The post holder should expect to:
• Work in a hybrid hot desk environment, generally working 2 days a week in the London office and three from home.
• Be responsible for the input and maintenance of databases and files relevant to the post requirements.
• Will occasionally be required to attend events in the evening and at weekends.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

This role requires significant, hands-on operational experience. Applicants will need to demonstrate clear evidence of independently managing event budgets, leading on strategy and logistics, and owning high-level external partnerships.

Essential Experience

• A minimum of 3 years experience independently delivering large-scale fundraising events, with full responsibility for logistics, budgeting, and strategic outcomes.
• Strong track record in supplier management, live event delivery, and compliance including health & safety, risk assessments, and insurance.
• Proven success managing high-value relationships with third-party organisers (e.g. London Marathon Events), including negotiating terms and ensuring delivery excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage ambitious budgets, including forecasting, reforecasting, reporting and cost-efficiency tracking.
• Deep knowledge of event marketing and acquisition strategies including ballot processes, audience segmentation, targeting, and grassroots recruitment.
• Experience designing and delivering multi-channel stewardship journeys, with a clear understanding of behavioural communications across email, SMS, WhatsApp, phone and face-to-face touchpoints and how these influence retention, satisfaction and performance.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and delivery-focused able to set direction and manage detail with equal confidence.
• Highly accountable and self-driven delivers results independently and takes full ownership of responsibilities.
• Committed to excellence, with a constant drive to improve systems, processes, and supporter experience.
• Collaborative and generous with knowledge supports, mentors, and uplifts junior colleagues while maintaining clear boundaries of responsibility.
• Calm and composed under pressure especially during live delivery or partner-facing moments.
• Insight-led and data-aware uses evidence to inform decisions and adapt strategies intelligently.
• A strong and credible communicator able to build confidence with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, suppliers and volunteers.
• Creative and solution-oriented always looking for ways to improve value and elevate the supporter experience.
• Deeply motivated by delivering meaningful, memorable experiences for supporters.
• Adaptable and resilient thrives in changing environments and supports others through organisational shifts.

Benefits

• Up to 12% employer pension contributions
• Annual personal development budget
• Annual health and wellbeing personal allowance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and parental leave pay accessible without length of service requirements.
• Health and wellbeing programme that offers optional free yearly health check-ups.
• Support for healthy eating via fruit bowls and onsite lunch facilities.
• Agile working, flexible hours, and supportive IT kit.
• Shower facilities and bike lock area.
• Generous annual leave (27 days + bank holidays)
• Subsidies for glasses
• Employee Assistance Programme