Special Events Coordinator

About the role:

Back Up is renowned for delivering bold, high-profile special events that inspire, connect and generate transformational support. Backed by influential committees and senior supporters, our events are central to our fundraising success – bringing people together around a powerful purpose and raising vital income to change lives after spinal cord injury.

Working alongside the Special Events Manager, you will take the lead on delivering Back Up’s standout Special Events programme. From the glamour of our flagship City Dinner and Front Row Fashion Show to the show-stopping Back Up Ball, you’ll create unforgettable experiences that excite supporters, deepen relationships and maximise income. As a key member of the Partnerships Team, this is an opportunity to be right at the heart of Back Up’s fundraising – using creativity, organisation and flair to transform lives.

You’ll build strong relationships with new and existing key stakeholders and collaborate across teams to deliver real impact through memorable events that align with our values. You’ll join a passionate and ambitious partnerships team, working across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, promotions, sponsorship and special events.

For full details please see our job description.

About us: 

At Back Up, we have big ambitions. We launched our bold new strategy in April 2025 and together we’ll be working hard to make sure everyone affected by spinal cord injury has access to the support they need. We have a unique portfolio of high-impact services, and we are the only spinal cord injury charity in the UK providing dedicated services to children and young people.

At Back Up, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds or those with higher level spinal cord injuries.

In 2024 Back Up won The Times and The Sunday Times Spotlight Award for Best place to work for disabled employees. Previously, Back Up was voted one of the top ten charities to work for (Third Sector Best Charities 2020). The enthusiastic, inclusive and supportive spirit of our very skilled staff ensures excellence in the services we deliver.

How to apply:

Please apply by emailing recruitment@backuptrust.org.uk.

• A CV (including two referees, one of whom should be your present or most recent employer. We will contact them after interview.)
• A (maximum) two side A4 supporting statement, saying why you want the job and explaining how you meet the criteria in the job description. This statement is crucial; CVs alone will not be accepted.
• A completed equal opportunities form. This form will be kept separate from your application and not viewed by the recruiting manager. It is used to help us assess the diversity of our applicants to ensure our processes are fair to all. It is optional to fill in, but it will help us improve and maintain high standards.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application and then let you know if you are to be invited to interview by 17^th February.

What will the process involve?

The process will involve at least one interview round which will be either in person or online. There will be a panel interviewing you and you may be asked to complete a task beforehand to present to the panel. If you need any support or adjustment to the recruitment process at any stage, do please ask and we’d be pleased to work with you to put these in place so that you can perform to the best of your abilities throughout the process and demonstrate your suitability for the role. Please email recruitment@backuptrust.org.uk

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As a ‘Disability Confident’ employer we are committed to the inclusion of disabled people as candidates and employees. We are proud that we get high numbers of disabled people applying for roles at Back Up. We will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Please let us know if you are eligible for the scheme: recruitment@backuptrust.org.uk.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

At Back Up we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every criteria in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at Back Up.