Rachael Batchelor
Solihull,West Midlands
Summary
Highly organised, detail-oriented, and motivated events and project manager with extensive experience delivering high-quality events and impactful visitor experiences across the heritage, higher education, and corporate sectors. Skilled in managing complex workloads, coordinating multiple projects, and ensuring smooth, well-planned delivery that enhances research engagement and collaboration. Recognised for clear communication, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure. Committed to strong budget management, strategic planning, excellent event delivery, and developing productive collaborative partnerships.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work history
Visitor Experience & Events Officer
National Trust, North Warwickshire Portfolio
Solihull, West Midlands
10.2022 - 11.2025
- Develop and deliver large scale innovative annual programme of events aligned with drivers and financial objectives for the North Warwickshire Portfolio of properties
- Lead for event planning with stakeholders on management of all aspects of events, including logistics, risk management, operational efficiency and staffing to ensure smooth running of multiple events.
- Production of timely and detailed project plans and briefings for events including timelines and risk assessments ensuring compliance with conservation, safety, and operational standards are met.
- Collaboration with internal and national teams, consultants, community groups, and partners to enhance outreach and depth of engagement.
- Liaison with marketing teams to create consistent and engaging promotional materials which boost event sales and success.
- Management of events budgets and resources to support growth and engagement, cost-effective operations and negotiating contracts with partners and suppliers to secure best value for money.
- Management and training of events staff and volunteers to foster effective contributions and enhanced visitor experiences.
- Lead on post-event evaluation to improve future performance and facilitating change to maximise quality and efficiency.
- Working flexibly when events are held in evening or at weekends across the North Warwickshire Portfolio.
Research Project & Event Manager
University of Birmingham – School of Biosciences & Medical School
Birmingham, West Midlands
06.2008 - 08.2022
- Management for delivery of EU funded research and training consortium, ensuring they were managed to funding regulations on time and to budget.
- Delivered complex large scale academic events, conferences and outreach across the University campus, UK and Europe including research collaboration and progress meetings, PhD training, road-mapping workshops and seminars.
- Organised recruitment and required training of 12 PhD researchers per project and led for research dissemination and outreach events across UK and Europe.
- Provided high-level support to the PI, assisting in the implementation of robust programme management processes and protocols in line with best practice, in addition to deputising for the PI as appropriate.
- Coordinated delivery of strong project governance, through supporting the PI with management of the consortium scientific and industrial advisory boards including meetings, scientific and stakeholder workshops.
- Autonomous responsibility for all administrative and financial activities across the consortium to maintain total compliance with operations, budgets, forecasting and financial reporting. Management of project partner budget allocations ensuring optimal utilisation throughout the project lifecycle.
- Routinely monitored all activities, reviewed risks, issues and progress, taking actions as necessary to ensure minimum impact on project deadlines.
- Maintained up-to-date records that enabled effective monitoring, control and evaluation of assigned project activities.
- Production of technical and progress reports for UK and European partners for submission to the funding body.
- Built strong positive, proactive relationships with internal and external academics together with the wider community of schools, stakeholders, industrial partners, project teams within the EU and gained a reputation for being highly conscientious and efficient.
Education
BA - Economics & Politics
Kingston University
Kingston upon ThamesA-Levels - Biology, Art, History
Solihull Sixth Form College
O-Levels - 9 subjects
Alderbrook School
SolihullSkills
- Complex event management expertise
- Budget ownership & financial control
- KPI establishment and monitoring
- Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
- Managing teams, ensuring consistency coordination
- Confident client-facing communication and presentation skills
- Project planning, management and delivery
- Analytical problem solving
- Proposal writing and content creation
- Volunteer leadership and community partnerships
- Visitor experience enhancement
- Operational compliance IOSH certified
- Experienced in Events Management Systems
INTERESTS
Travel, paddleboarding, mountain biking, walking, painting, photography
Timeline
Visitor Experience & Events Officer
National Trust, North Warwickshire Portfolio
10.2022 - 11.2025
Research Project & Event Manager
University of Birmingham – School of Biosciences & Medical School
06.2008 - 08.2022
BA - Economics & Politics
Kingston University
A-Levels - Biology, Art, History
Solihull Sixth Form College
O-Levels - 9 subjects
Alderbrook School