UK Head of Symposium
Head of Italian Symposium – UIS United Kingdom Chapter (London-based)
Important: This is a volunteer position. The UIS executive team operates entirely on a voluntary basis.
Time required: 4–6 hours per week (variable, increasing in the weeks leading up to the event)
United Italian Societies (UIS) UK is looking for an ambitious, strategic, and highly organized individual to lead the Italian Symposium in London. Now at its fourth edition, this flagship event has become a reference point for Italian students and young professionals in the UK, bringing together leaders from academia, business, politics, and culture. The Symposium fosters dialogue on Italy’s role in the world, while creating meaningful connections between students, institutions, and professionals.
As Head of the Symposium, you will be responsible for overseeing the event from ideation to execution, with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers and officers.
Key Responsibilities
Event Strategy & Planning
Define the annual theme of the Italian Symposium in London, along with the event duration and format, building on the success of past editions.
Design a compelling agenda including keynote addresses, panel discussions, networking sessions, and interactive workshops.
Coordinate timelines, milestones, and task allocation across the organizing team.
Guest Speaker Coordination
Identify and recruit high-profile speakers aligned with the Symposium’s theme (academics, business leaders, policymakers, cultural figures).
Oversee invitations, travel arrangements, accommodations, and scheduling.
Ensure each speaker has a clear, professional, and well-managed experience from onboarding to post-event follow-up.
Sponsorship & Budget Management
Collaborate with the UK Head of Finance to define the budget and secure sponsorships/partnerships.
Negotiate financial and in-kind support to cover venue costs, speaker travel, catering, and other core expenses.
Track expenditures and ensure an efficient, cost-effective event.
University & Institutional Partnerships
Build and maintain strong relationships with London universities (e.g., LSE, Imperial, UCL, King’s College) to secure venues and mobilize student engagement.
Work with Italian institutions in the UK (Embassy, Consulate, Italian Cultural Institute) to strengthen credibility and impact.
Leverage partnerships for marketing, visibility, and speaker outreach.
Marketing & Communications
Partner with the UIS marketing team to launch an engaging communications campaign at least one month before the event.
Use the Gomry App for ticketing and digital outreach.
Promote the Symposium across university networks, UIS platforms, and external channels.
Team Leadership
Recruit and manage a team of officers.
Assign roles, set deadlines, and ensure clear communication within the team.
Foster team motivation and accountability to deliver a successful Symposium.
Who We Are Looking For
An Italian student or young professional based in London, ideally with prior experience in event planning, leadership, or student organizing.
A strategic thinker who can also execute, with a strong sense of ownership.
A confident communicator able to engage with high-profile speakers, sponsors, and institutions.
A passionate leader who shares UIS’s mission of strengthening the Italian student and professional community abroad.
Experience in team leadership, budget management, or partnership building is a strong plus.
About UIS
United Italian Societies (UIS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting, promoting, and supporting Italian university students abroad. We bring together Italian student societies across 8 countries and more than 60 universities, fostering a vibrant community driven by the passion and talent of our volunteers. Founded three years ago, we are now focused on expanding our services and enhancing the events we offer in the regions where we are active. For more info, visit: https://uniteditaliansocieties.com/