Programming Coordinator

Programming Coordinator, Craft Portfolio (up to £30,000)

Full time but potential to be 4 days a week

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

We are looking for someone who is meticulously well-organised, self-motivated, and a strong team player who works well under pressure. An interest in and knowledge of crafts would be advantageous.

You will be part of the team working across the Craft events portfolio, which includes 5 market leading events: The Festival of Quilts (Birmingham), Europe’s largest patchwork & quilting show attracting 22k visitors; The Knitting & Stitching Shows (London / Harrogate / Belfast), established textiles exhibitions attracting a joint audience of nearly 60k visitors and The Stitch Festival in London, a contemporary sewing and dressmaking show attracting 17k visitors.

All five shows offer a winning formula of inspiration, learning and shopping that appeals not only to craft hobbyists, but also to textile artists and professionals. As part of this, our educational programme is an essential part of the overall experience, offering workshops and talks catering to various skill levels with a huge range of subjects and techniques on offer.

The role of the Programming Coordinator involves end-to-end organisation and management of the entire educational programmes at each of the five shows.

The Programming Coordinator will also be required to work onsite at all five events (three of which require staying away from home for one week).

As a Programming Coordinator you will;

• End to end management of each workshop programme, from pre-event planning to on site management and post-show evaluation.
• Using insights provided by marketing team, market knowledge and previous show sales data, create a varied programme with high appeal, to maximise the commercial success of the workshop programmes.
• Work to deadlines set by the marketing team to send invitations to selected tutors, collate the responses and create a varied and appealing programme.
• Implement efficient processes and organised systems to ensure seamless delivery of the educational programme
• Manage and maintain a database of tutors/teachers as required
• Liaise with marketing team / designer to create appropriate marketing collateral for the workshop programme and ensure accuracy
• Manage all tutor enquiries and communication (including updates on bookings and post-show invoicing instructions)
• Manage a schedule of volunteers (Class Angels) to support tutors and workshop delivery on site, communicating with them as required and organising all associated logistics
• Manage any workshop cancellations, trying to find alternatives where possible and dealing with the resulting changes and correspondence required with participants (and the marketing team).
• Liaise with Event Director and/or Operations team for requirements for classrooms (eg suite hire, electrics, equipment, build, signage, sewing machines etc)
• Write, issue and manage contracts for tutors where required.
• Provide post-show report for the event within 4 weeks after each show.

On site responsibilities

• Oversee the set-up of all classrooms including the set-up of sewing machines where required.
• Manage and brief any support staff who are helping on site
• Manage the Booking Desk, supporting customers purchasing workshop tickets and requiring help, and supporting teachers with equipment and other relevant issues.
• Oversee the break-down of the workshop area at the end of each show, including re-packing of sewing machines and other workshop equipment.

• Highly organized with excellent time management.
• Strategic mindset.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to think creatively and strategically.
• Committed and determined.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Passion for organizing events.
• Committed, engaged, and motivated.
• Ambition to grow, develop and learn within career.
• Presents as professional and trustworthy.
• Desire to network with others to build a better business.
• Strong IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in co-ordination and management of complex programming / timetabling
• Experience of consumer events or exhibitions.
• Good knowledge of sewing/quilting/knitting and craft.

Benefits

• 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 plus early finish Fridays
• 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.