Job Description

The Company

Usborne is an independent, family business, creating books which spark curiosity in children of all ages. These range from books for babies such as the bestselling THAT'S NOT MY series of touchy-feely books, to YA fiction from acclaimed authors such as Faridah Abike-Iyimide and Ravena Guron - with everything from Sticker Dolly Dressing to Philosophy for Beginners in between.

Whilst the company is now a market-leader in children's publishing and one of the best-known brands in children's books globally, the company retains a friendly and familial feel. If you want to work somewhere close-knit enough for people to know your name, but which has a first-class reputation around the world, Usborne is the place for you.

The Team

Usborne Community Partnerships (UCP) is the direct sales division of Usborne Publishing. The UCP team supports thousands of Independent Usborne Partners, who are entrepreneurial self-employed booksellers selling Usborne books in their communities - including to schools - across the UK and Europe. You can read more about UCP here: https://usborne.com/gb/sell-usborne-books/about. We're a dynamic, close-knit team dedicated to empowering and supporting IUPs to thrive in their businesses.

The Role

We are looking for a proactive, creative and exceptionally well-organised Events Manager to take the lead on our annual programme of in-person events and incentives, a vital part of how we celebrate success and build lasting community among our top-performing IUPs.

This is a high-impact role with lots of variety and purpose. You'll be the driving force behind events that motivate, reward, and uplift, all while creating unforgettable experiences that inspire IUPs to aim higher and feel proud of their achievements.

You will lead and coordinate delivery of:

Four key incentive events each year -- including a 5-night international travel reward, exclusive celebration events in London and Oxford, and special recognition days at our Oxford office; Three high-energy, two-day conferences, each culminating in a lively evening celebration for around 50 attendees; and Occasional all IUP events for 300 attendees.
You'll be the key events expert in the team, working hand-in-hand with the UCP marketing, business development, and digital teams to deliver events that not only run like clockwork, but genuinely uplift and energise the IUP community. While you'll be supported by an incredibly collaborative team, you'll be the only dedicated events specialist, so we're looking for someone who's confident taking the lead, managing budgets, communicating clearly, and juggling multiple priorities.

This role is perfect for someone who understands how events can drive motivation, boost business, and foster loyalty and thrives on seeing a plan come together bringing energy, precision, and calm to a busy workload.

Experience

The successful candidate will ideally have:

3+ years of hands on events experience A strong track record of planning and delivering both small and large-scale events Outstanding organisational skills and a razor-sharp eye for detail First-rate communication skills and the ability to build great relationships with IUPs, suppliers, speakers, and internal stakeholders Project management experience across overlapping timelines Experience managing budgets and logistics Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) with experience using project management tools like Asana, Trello, or similar A solution-focused mindset and the confidence to work independently A collaborative spirit and sense of humour -- we work hard, but we love what we do.
Usborne Community Partnerships is a direct sales business, so a grasp of this type of operation and the opportunities and challenges it presents as well as an interest in children's books and publishing would be a real bonus.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 35,631.00-40,106.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Casual dress Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Enhanced paternity leave Free flu jabs Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Paid volunteer time Sabbatical Sick pay Store discount
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Eynsham OX29 4TU