Main Purpose of Role: To lead on the successful planning and delivery of a high-quality, year-round events programme at Charleston. A significant amount of the role will be focused on the technical and logistical delivery of the annual Charleston Festival and the year-round creative programme of one-off events and smaller festivals. The role will require close working with the Head of Programme and Events, as well as the Visitor Services, Site, Marketing, Finance and Catering teams, as well as visitor assistants and volunteers. Highly motivated with the ability to demonstrate initiative and to engage and motivate others. Charleston is seeking a Senior Event Manager to lead the delivery of our ambitious, year-round programme of festivals and events across its Firle and Lewes sites. This is a hands-on role driving the technical and logistical delivery of the internationally renowned Charleston Festival alongside a dynamic programme of talks, performances and creative experiences. Working closely with artists, partners and cross-organisational teams, you'll shape exceptional visitor experiences while managing budgets, teams and operations with precision. If you're an experienced event professional with a passion for the arts, strong technical expertise and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach, this is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in bringing Charleston's bold and inspiring programme to life. For full details of the role and how to apply please follow the link below. Application deadline: 5pm, Sunday 10 May 2026 All shortlisted candidates will be invited to spend half a day at Charleston Festival (13-25 May) in advance of interviews. To apply, please email a covering letter of no more than 1 page detailing how you meet the person specification, along with a CV to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can submit a link to an audio or video file that details how you meet the person specification, with an overview of your professional experience and skills. This should be no more than 10 minutes.Job Summary
Job Description
Job Requirements
Excellent organisational, administrative and interpersonal skills.
Strong technical knowledge of events planning and delivery.
Excellent communication skills with meticulous attention for detail.
Flexible and committed approach to work and ability to prioritise and manage multiple priorities.
A flare for managing complex budgets and delivering efficiencies while maintaining high standards.
Experience of managing large teams of casual and temporary staff with the ability to work both individually and across teams.
Experience of volunteer management.
Experience of events and festivals in an arts or literature-related environment would be desirable, as would a strong interest in the visual and literary arts.
Passion for exceptional customer and artist care.
Minimum 2-years of experience managing events is essential. Job Responsibilities
Useful Links
How to Apply
Interviews: date: Wednesday 3 June at Charleston Firle (BN8 6LL)