Events and Communications Manager, Urban20 London 27

​Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.

About the team

Events for London delivers some of the capital's most significant and high-profile events on behalf of the Mayor of London. From major public celebrations and cultural programmes to international summits, the team brings together partners from across London, the UK and around the world to showcase the capital, support Mayoral priorities and create lasting economic, social and cultural impact.

As part of the External Relations unit, the team leads the planning and delivery of events that strengthen London's global reputation, convene influential leaders and organisations, celebrate the capital's diversity, and create opportunities for meaningful engagement on the issues that matter most to Londoners and cities around the world.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of the Urban20 (U20) London Summit 2027, one of the Mayor of London's most significant international engagements. As Events and Communications Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of an integrated marketing, communications and audience engagement programme that promotes London’s role as Chair and host city of the U20 network.

Working across communications, events and stakeholder engagement, you will help shape how London presents itself to a global audience, ensuring the Summit and associated programme achieve maximum profile, influence and impact. You will work closely with colleagues across the GLA, international city networks, commercial partners and delivery suppliers to coordinate communications activity, support event delivery and create a compelling experience for delegates and stakeholders.

This role combines strategic communications expertise with practical event delivery, offering the opportunity to work on a high-profile international programme that will strengthen London’s position as a leading global city.

What your day will look like

You'll work across a broad range of communications, engagement and event delivery activities, helping to ensure the Urban20 London Summit reaches audiences locally, nationally and internationally.

A typical day could involve coordinating campaign activity with communications teams from partner organisations, developing content and engagement plans, reviewing media opportunities, briefing senior stakeholders or leading meetings with suppliers and agencies responsible for creative, digital or communications delivery. You may also be working closely with event delivery colleagues to integrate communications activity into operational plans, delegate management and programme delivery.

You'll collaborate with teams across External Relations, Marketing, Digital, International Relations and Policy to ensure messaging is aligned, audiences are engaged and communications activity supports wider Mayoral priorities. Alongside managing budgets and project plans, you'll use insight and performance data to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve campaign activity.

As the Summit approaches, you'll play a key role in coordinating communications, stakeholder engagement and event operations, ensuring delegates, partners and audiences experience a well-managed and impactful programme that enhances London's global reputation and contributes to the success of the U20 Chair year.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of the marketing, communications and audience engagement strategy for the Urban20 London Summit 2027 and associated programme.
• Coordinate communications activity across partner organisations to ensure consistent messaging, branding and audience engagement.
• Manage relationships with communications agencies, creative suppliers, media partners and key stakeholders.
• Lead the Urban20 Marketing and Communications Working Group, bringing together partners to deliver an integrated communications programme.
• Deliver multi-channel marketing campaigns across media, digital, social, email and visual communications platforms.
• Create and coordinate content, campaigns and stakeholder communications that maximise the profile and impact of London's U20 Chair year.
• Work closely with event delivery teams to integrate communications activity into event operations, delegate experience and programme delivery.
• Support the planning and delivery of Summit activity, including stakeholder engagement, logistics and delegate management.
• Manage marketing and communications budgets, procurement activity and supplier performance to ensure value for money.
• Monitor and evaluate communications performance, using data and insight to improve campaign effectiveness and audience reach.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, reports and presentation materials for senior leaders, the Mayor and other stakeholders.
• Support Mayoral visits, stakeholder engagement activity and high-profile events associated with the Urban20 programme.
• Build strong relationships across the GLA, international city networks and external partners to support successful programme delivery.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends to support the planning and delivery of the Urban20 London Summit 2027 and associated events.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience of developing and delivering high-profile, multi-channel communications and stakeholder engagement campaigns for complex programmes, events or international initiatives.
• Knowledge of the structure of London Government, particularly the respective roles of Local Authorities, the Mayor and GLA and National Government; and a good understanding of how political events are managed and administered in London and nationally.
• Experience of planning and supporting event operations, logistics and delegate management for complex events involving multiple stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Experience of operating in a politically sensitive environment and handling communications in this environment.
• Managing a large budget to deliver a high-profile campaign, working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of using data, insight and evaluation to inform marketing and communications strategy.
• Experience of planning and delivering operational comms for a major event.

This role is based at City Hall, Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE).

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager David Holley would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at david.holley@london.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: W/c 7 Dec 2026 (may be subject to change)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months service with the GLA

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.