Horticultural Event Manager

Horticultural Event Manager, BBC Gardeners’ World Live & Fairs (up to £45,000, 10 month fixed term contract)

Immediate is home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and BBC Gardeners World magazine. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.

We’re the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We’re here to inspire, fuel, encourage and educate.

Whether it’s the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation – we help bring our audiences joy!

About the role

As Horticultural Event Manager, you will work closely with the content and horticultural teams on 3 events. This includes the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Flagship event plus the BBC Gardeners’ World Fairs (Spring & Autumn), ensuring they meet horticultural integrity and content targets.

Your role involves growing the shows content opportunities including but not limited to; Show Gardens, Beautiful Borders, Stages relating to Hort content, workshops, partnerships and managing the Floral offering. You will work closely with freelance horticultural support including the Horticultural Director and Floral Coordinator and the permanent team – Senior Hort & Content Executive.

Additionally, you will collaborate with the wider Gardeners’ World brands and central teams to align content with brand initiatives, bringing Gardeners’ World to life at events and reaching wider audiences to maximise revenues.

You’ll love this role if you;

• Are passionate about events
• Enjoy leading and mentoring a diverse team
• Are a strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset
• Are creative and enjoy coming up with new ideas through the implementation
• thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

As an Horticultural Event Manager you will;

• Oversee the Horticultural Content plan of each event, managing the Hort freelance team and Hort & Content executive
• Report into the Portfolio Director but work closely with the Event Director
• Manage the Ops of each show with the support of the Operations Manager
• In collaboration with the Horticultural Director and the Senior Hort & Content exec, deliver a Hort strategy for each show, delivering this to the business and ensuring execution.
• Work with the Portfolio Director and Event Director to ensure budgets are approved, tracked and monitored, raising any potential revenue issues
• Ensure all aspects are delivered to a high standard. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless event delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including sponsors, partners, exhibitors, and attendees
• Attend and run monthly Hort meetings delivering updates to the wider teams and raising any concerns
• Work closely with the wider Gardeners’ World brand team including Mag, Podcast, .com the Programme team and strategy leads, to ensure that event content is aligned to wider brand initiatives and opportunities to reach data across the wider brand to maximise opportunities for ticket sales
• Build relationships with industry stakeholders, including key companies of influence, media owners, and associations. Explore potential marketing opportunities, event partnerships, new revenue streams, and cost savings from these relationships
• Monitor key competition and identify their strengths and weaknesses versus the show. Attend relevant exhibitions and festivals and networking events
• Run and manage the build of each show including liaising with groundworks crews, staging crews and managing build schedules for all parties involved
• With the Content team and Horticultural freelancers ensure there is a clear content strategy for the shows, ensuring horticultural integrity and aligning to the hort budgets.

• Proven experience in a senior role within the events industry, ideally working across consumer events
• Strong team management experience
• Strong Influencing skills, including closing significant agreements and winning projects/working with key clients/partners is essential
• Strong budget/financial acumen and experience with significant budget planning, contributing to P&L management
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work at pace on multiple elements of delivery
• Demonstrate the ability to think strategically

• A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
• Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First aiders & Champions
• 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s which are in addition to your annual entitlement
• Tailored training and development through both our inhouse learning platform and LinkedIn Learning
• A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development  
• Flexible / hybrid working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
• Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance
• A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces

At Immediate, we pride ourselves on our open, inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic culture that empowers our people to thrive and give their best. We care deeply about our people, our local communities and the impact we have on the environment. Our active Diversity & Inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programs, and clear sustainability strategies reflect this commitment.

People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We’ll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We’re also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.

Immediate is a place you can grow, be supported, and make a difference.