Organizer Information
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is a leading multi-disciplinary cultural institution based in London, UK. Situated on The Mall overlooking St James’s Park, the ICA has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary artistic discourse across visual arts, performance, film, music, and experimental cultural practices since its founding. It is widely recognized as an incubator for influential artistic figures, having hosted and supported landmark presentations by artists such as Basquiat, Amy Winehouse, Stormzy, and Lubaina Himid.
The institution operates as both a public-facing cultural venue and a commercial event space, housed in a Grade I listed Georgian building. Alongside its curatorial programming, the ICA manages cinemas, galleries, performance spaces, and private hire venues, making it a hybrid organization where artistic experimentation and commercial event production intersect.
Title & Description
Senior Events Manager – ICA London Events Manager Job
This opportunity is a permanent, full-time leadership role responsible for the development, sales strategy, and operational delivery of the ICA’s Events & Hires business. The role is positioned within the ICA’s Audience and Business Growth division and focuses on strengthening the institution’s commercial income through high-profile cultural, corporate, and private events.
The Senior Events Manager will lead the strategic expansion of the ICA’s venue hire portfolio, positioning the institution as one of London’s most distinctive and in-demand cultural event spaces. The role combines business development, client relationship management, and creative event production oversight, ensuring that all events reflect the ICA’s artistic identity while achieving strong commercial outcomes.
This position is both strategic and operational, requiring a balance between revenue generation, team leadership, and high-end client service within a fast-paced cultural environment.
The Role Overview
- Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
- Salary: £42,849 – £46,575 per year
- Reporting to: Director of Audiences and Business Growth
- Department: Events / Audience & Business Development
- Work Model: On-site (London)
- Working Pattern: Includes occasional evenings and weekends
The role includes managing the Events Officer and overseeing all event sales operations, from initial enquiry to contract execution and delivery.
Position & Tasks
- Leading the ICA’s Events and venue hire strategy to achieve income targets
- Managing and supervising the Events Officer
- Developing and maintaining a strong pipeline of corporate, cultural, and private clients
- Driving proactive sales and converting leads into confirmed bookings
- Negotiating contracts for large-scale and high-value events
- Managing relationships with clients, agencies, suppliers, and partners
- Overseeing event planning and on-site delivery for complex events
- Coordinating product launches, conferences, dinners, fashion events, and private receptions
- Managing ICA-approved supplier networks and re-tendering processes
- Collaborating with marketing teams on promotional materials and campaigns
- Supporting corporate membership development strategies
- Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and GDPR regulations
- Monitoring KPIs, budgets, and commercial performance indicators
- Attending high-profile client events and overseeing operational delivery
The role requires strong leadership in both commercial strategy and live event execution within a cultural institution context.
Categories
- Arts Management
- Curatorial
- Public Art
- Design
- Performance
- Visual Arts
- Architecture (venue & spatial programming context)
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Culture
- Event Production (implicit cultural programming)
Eligibility
- Experience in venue hire, Events, or cultural event production
- Minimum 2+ years in event management or commercial venue operations
- Strong track record in business development and sales targets
- Experience managing budgets and financial KPIs
- Strong client relationship and negotiation skills
- Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder events
- Experience working with suppliers and CRM systems
- Knowledge of event compliance, risk, and operational safety
Preferred (desirable) qualifications:
- Experience in Grade I-listed or heritage venues
- Health & Safety certification (e.g., IOSH)
- First Aid qualification
- Experience in cultural institutions or creative industries
- Interest in contemporary arts and cultural programming
The call is open to candidates with professional experience in both commercial and cultural event environments, with no geographic restriction.
Program Benefits
- Competitive salary (£42,849 – £46,575)
- Permanent leadership position within a major cultural institution
- High-profile role in London’s creative and events sector
- Opportunity to work with international cultural and corporate clients
- Career development within a prestigious arts organization
- Exposure to large-scale cultural and commercial event production
- Collaborative work environment across marketing, operations, and programming teams
- Direct contribution to institutional revenue growth and sustainability
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter outlining relevant experience in Events and venue management
- Evidence of commercial event delivery experience (optional portfolio or case studies)
- Proof of qualifications (if applicable)
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: jobs@ica.art
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 May 2026
- Start Date: Not specified
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Notification Date: Not specified
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
This role operates at the intersection of cultural programming and commercial venue strategy. The Senior Events Manager is expected to maintain a balance between the ICA’s artistic identity and its revenue-generating operations.
The position requires flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend work, and involves high-level coordination across internal departments such as Visitor Experience, Marketing, Technical Production, and Operations.
The ICA emphasizes innovation, client experience excellence, and sustainable business growth, making this role central to the institution’s financial and strategic future.