Trade Events Manager

Trade Events Manager (Full-Time, 9-Month Contract)

Team: COPS/Trade Engagement
Location: London
Contract: Full-time maternity cover (9 months)

Are you energised by big ideas, memorable experiences, and bringing communities together? We’re looking for a proactive, creative, and highly organised individual to join the team on a full-time maternity cover. The ideal candidate will have experience running and developing events and will be an action orientated, self starter.

This is a rare opportunity to influence some of Checkatrade’s most exciting and high profile trade initiatives, from our iconic Checkatrade Awards to a brand-new flagship concept: the Checkatrade Games
.

If you love fast-paced environments, crafting standout moments, and building strong communities, this role puts you right at the heart of Checkatrade’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. The Checkatrade Awards

• Lead end-to-end delivery of the Checkatrade Trade Awards (6 events in 2026), from nominations and judging through to production, on-the-day delivery, and post-event storytelling.

• Be right at the heart of the organisation of this event all the way from creating table plans to liaising with venues to strategically thinking about how to get the most brand benefit from these events. You need to be comfortable being in the weeds but also pushing the agenda across the organisation.

• Elevate the Awards into a dynamic multi platform engagement campaign that sparks excitement across trades, consumers, and media. Find creative ways to shout from the rooftops about this standout series of events.

• Bring bold, creative ideas that develop the Awards’ emotional impact and strengthen Checkatrade’s position as the champion of skilled tradespeople.

2. Checkatrade Games

• Develop the Checkatrade Games from the ground up, shaping a brand new flagship moment for our trade community. This will be a major new initiative for Checkatrade, blending elements of games, performance, and trade pride into an unforgettable experience.

• Lead the end-to-end planning, development, and execution of the Games, from concept shaping and logistics to on the day delivery.

• Work closely with other teams to define the identity and narrative of the event, ensuring it becomes a standout moment in the trade calendar.

• Drive operational excellence, from scouting venues and coordinating suppliers to managing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.

• Bring creative thinking to how the Games show up across channels ensuring they build excitement, grow participation, and celebrate the craft, personality, and competitiveness of our trades.

• Ensure the initiative remains commercially viable by supporting sponsorship discussions, partnership opportunities, and activation planning.

3. Trade Board

• Act as operational lead for the Checkatrade Trade Board where we invite trades in for the day to provide feedback. The Trade Board currently has a quarterly event cadence. Manage communications, agendas with other teams, pre-reads, and follow ups.

• Capture insights and themes from our trade community, helping teams across the business stay connected to real voices and real experiences.

• Help amplify the work of the Trade Board internally and externally, turning insight into advocacy through storytelling and engagement.

4. Planning, Logistics and Cross Collaboration

• Own logistics, planning, and delivery for all trade focused events, including (but not limited to) the Checkatrade Awards, Trade Board sessions, and the new Checkatrade Games initiative.

• Collaborate cross functionally with Marketing, COPS, Sales, Partnerships and others to ensure every event is seamless, high-impact, and uniquely “Checkatrade.”

• Own developing sponsorship/advertising revenue to pay for the various events. Work with the Partnerships team to develop a plan and work collaboratively to ensure events are net neutral.

• Serve as the operational heartbeat at events ensuring smooth delivery, exceptional experiences, and a positive, professional atmosphere.

5. Content & Social…