Senior Challenge Events Officer

About the Role

As a Senior Challenge Events Officer, you willprovide effective support for the Events team to achieve agreed fundraising targets and objectives through the delivery of a series of high quality events.

Provide key and intensive support to the Challenge Events Manager, concerning the planning and implementation of all aspects of our challenge and running events portfolio

Developing relationships with participants, individuals and organisations to maximise fundraising targets and ensure long term charity involvement Line management of a Challenge Events Officer

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Line manage and support the Challenge Events Officer responsible for delivering key areas of the challenge events portfolio, including the AJ Bell Great North Run, providing support across the London Marathon and International Runs portfolio. Drive their day to day performance through regular 121 meetings, objective setting, performance reviews, annual appraisals, and development planning, enabling them to achieve their goals and objectives, and grow within their role.

• Lead the project management and delivery of MDUK's participation in the one off 2027 London Marathon Double Header, recruiting and supporting up to 300 charity place and own place runners across both event days, with the potential to generate over £1 million in income. Supported by a Challenge Events Officer, you'll be responsible for and oversee participant recruitment, stewardship, income generation, event logistics, training partner management / development, volunteer management, MDUK's presence at the London Marathon Expo, and post race reception activities.
  

• Following the delivery of the 2027 Double Header, you'll retain the ownership of MDUK's annual London Marathon programme, managing a cohort of approximately 90 charity place and own place runners each year. Lead all aspects of event / campaign delivery, including recruitment, stewardship, fundraising performance, event operations, and the ongoing development of our partnership with Coopah to maximise participant engagement and minimise withdrawals and deferrals.

Working arrangements

• Permanent Contract
• Full time: Monday to Friday, 35hours/week
• Hybrid working arrangement
• All necessary equipment provided

About Us

Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that connects a community of more than 110,000 people living with one of over 60 muscle wasting conditions, and all the people around them. So, everyone can get the healthcare, support and treatments needed to feel good, mentally and physically.

This is an exciting time to join the charity. We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with muscle wasting conditions, and we won't stop until we achieve it.

We believe that by creating opportunities for all, we strengthen our impact and better support the communities we are committed to serve.

What we offer

At Muscular Dystrophy UK, you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work that makes a real difference to the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where colleagues can thrive and enjoy a healthy work-life balance.

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• 25 days' holiday (pro rata), increasing by one day each year after five years' service, up to 30 days, plus bank holidays.
• Time off in lieu for approved out of hours work.
• Employer contribution of 5% with a minimum employee contribution of 3%.
• Death in service cover from your first day of employment.

Health and wellbeing

• HSF Health Plan, including cashback on healthcare costs for you and your family.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering free, confidential advice and support.
• Health and wellbeing resources, including Healthy Living support.
• Access to osteopathic treatment through the UCO Clinic Community Partnership.
• Discounted gym memberships.

Lifestyle benefits

• Employee discounts at a wide range of high street and online retailers.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounts on cinema tickets, live events and much more.

How to Apply

Please complete our application and include:

• Your CV and Cover Letter (PDF or Word format).
• Responses to the application questions

Important information

• This role is open to candidates based in the UK who have the right to work in the UK.
• Applications that do not include all the requested information may not be considered.

  Next Steps

  Application deadline: Friday 9 October 2026, noon

  Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of strong applications

  Interviews: Week commencing Monday 12 October 2026.

  We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, previous convictions and those with lived experience of the conditions we represent.

  We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, with disclosure only requested where relevant at the appropriate stage

  If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know. We will work with you to understand your needs and make the recruitment process as accessible as possible.
  

  Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities