Job Specifications
Location: Reading, Hybrid (at least twice a month to Reading Office)
Hours: Full time
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Contract Type: 12 month FTC
Campaign Closes: 18th February 2026
First Stage Interviews: 25th & 26th February 2026
Second Stage Interviews: 3rd or 5th March 2026
On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.
At Make A Wish UK, we create life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our Special Events programme plays a vital role in making those wishes possible by raising essential income, inspiring supporters and bringing our community together. We are looking for a talented and driven Special Events Manager to lead, shape and grow our portfolio of high profile events. From elegant gala dinners and supporter receptions to new and innovative fundraising opportunities, you will be at the heart of creating experiences that make a meaningful difference.
Core Purpose
To lead the delivery and growth of Make A Wish’s programme of Special Events, maximising net income, strengthening donor and supporter stewardship, and identifying new opportunities across the organisation and beyond to enhance and expand our events portfolio. This role also supports wider departmental events, including those connected to Art of Wishes, while inspiring and managing supporters, committee members, suppliers and volunteers. In addition, the role oversees the stewardship events programme delivered by the Events Officer, ensuring exceptional experiences for all involved.
To be successful in this role you will need:
Essential Criteria
Ability to prepare materials to support a range of audiences and requirements, from presentations through to toolkits, meeting notes etc .
Excellent communication skills, including:
Ability to work effectively at different levels in the organisation
Ability to articulate core concepts in different formats and approaches
Ability to negotiate and influence across different organisational levels
Work as part of a cross functional team
Understanding of regulatory frameworks, best practice and ethical issues related to
Marketing and engagement with children and young people
Content capture and use
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks around fundraising
Understanding of advertising and influencer regulatory frameworks
Managing and working with user permissions and compliance around:
User permissions
Safeguarding
Data protection
Experience of working with others:
Being part of a team delivering different objectives
Inspiring and encouraging self-development in team members/colleagues
Setting objective and KPIs and managing performance towards these
Integrating volunteers and networks into teams
Volunteer management
Evidence and Experience of:
Using and updating CRM tools – Salesforce
Managing data accuracy
Producing reports and analytics
Reading and interpreting data
Experience of managing finance and budget:
Developing budgets
Recording financial information
Reading and understanding financial information
Calculating basic information, particularly to show return on investment
Managing expenses and invoicing processes
Experience of managing and planning work:
Working on cross team plans
Using technology to support planning and prioritisation
Able to use MS Office tools, in particular Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel to support delivery of work
Evidence of ongoing professional development in a related field or areas (formal or self-directed)
Significant experience in planning large scale special events, dinners, balls, receptions or similar:
Evidence of managing £200,000+ event budgets
Experience planning and executing events for 200+ attendees
Experience working with event agencies
Key Responsibilities:
Event support
Own and develop relationships with key Make-A-Wish event supporters including committee members, suppliers, speakers and donors.
Project manage and/or provide event support to key Make-A-Wish flagship and high-value supporter events.
Generate income and gift in kind for Make-A-Wish owned and high value third-party events.
Oversee the stewardship of high value third-party events by the Events Officer.
Be the day-to-day contact for Special Events agencies and third-party suppliers, attending and leading meetings to ensure each event is executed as smoothly and successfully as possible.
Manage internal and external event stakeholders including Make-A-Wish BCE and volunteering teams, committee members and event suppliers in relation to their role at the event.
Attend all the Special Events and represent Make-A-Wish in a professional manner.
Support on the development of the special events strategy with Art of Wishes & Special Events Lead and Philanthropy Director.
Create and manage event budgets with a focus on reducing costs and maximising net income/budget relieving GIK.
Complete event performance evaluations inclu
About the Company
When illness robs childhood, we fight back with wonder, turning tears into cheers. Wishes have the power to rescue the magic of childhood and provide an invaluable lifeline to escape the relentless challenges and gruelling reality of a life defined by their illness. The one wish we can't guarantee is more time, but only with your support, can we ensure their life isn't defined by illness. Donate now and help grant a wish: https://bit.ly/3HoYjpF
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