The newly created role of Managing Director (MD) for The Boat Race Company Ltd (BRCL) is designed to provide operational leadership and management of the Boat Race, ensuring the successful delivery of its strategic plan as agreed by the Board. Reporting to the Chair of The Boat Race, on behalf of the Board of Directors, the MD shall be accountable for the commercial and operational success of the event. The Managing Director will act as the principal day-to-day representative of The Boat Race, both internally, leading our executive team, engaging with partners and potential partners and building strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver an exceptional sporting spectacle that commands national and international attention.

We aim to foster a supportive and collaborative work environment, and this role will be pivotal in building that teamwork and communication among the small executive and volunteer team – with the challenge of a combination of remote working and office attendance. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a proven track record in a senior/ leadership role within the sporting or entertainment events industry

Do you think you could take on this exciting new role that offers an opportunity to provide operational leadership for a globally recognised British brand, preserving a unique national story while steering it confidently into a modern, changing future?

How to Apply

Please download the job pack via the button below for this position. This will give you more details on the role such as principal responsibilities, terms of the position and how to apply.

Closing date: Wednesday 3 December 2025

Download Job Pack

About The Boat Race

The Boat Race is one of the world’s oldest and most iconic amateur sporting events — a unique fusion of competition, heritage, and culture. Since the first Men’s Race in 1829, and the introduction of the Women’s Race in 1927, it has become an indelible part of British life. Each spring, London’s riverbanks come alive as over 200,000 spectators gather to watch the crews of Oxford and Cambridge Universities contest in a fierce rivalry over 4.5 miles of the Championship Course, spanning four London boroughs.

It is, above all, a free-to-attend public event – London’s great river celebration ‘ connecting communities, families, and fans across generations. With its strong amateur ethos and a history stretching back nearly 200 years, The Boat Race is not merely a sporting contest; it’s a cultural institution that marks the arrival of spring in the capital. The event has gently evolved to reflect the times while maintaining its integrity. The Boat Race Company oversees the event’s delivery, broadcast, sponsorship, university and community engagement. It brings together partners, universities, and boroughs to ensure this historic occasion remains safe, inclusive, and world-class – both on and off the water.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Spectator Experience Manager who will be responsible for delivering a safe experience executed to the highest standards for spectators attending The Boat Race 2026 on Saturday 4 April  across three key spectator areas:

  • Hammersmith Fan Zone (Furnivall Gardens)
  • Fulham Fan Zone (Bishops Park)
  • Putney Embankment

This role will oversee the planning and operational delivery of these areas, ensuring they are safe, well-managed, and aligned with the event’s brand and high standards. The successful candidate will lead the on-site delivery team (made up of contractors and volunteers), including a dedicated Site Manager for each location.

Contract

Freelance / Fixed-term (competitive day rate)

Approx. 14 days total:

  • Pre-event: 10 days (planning, site visits, coordination)
  • Event period: 4 days (build, live event, de-rig)

Reports to: Event Manager

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Event (10 days)

  • Review, feed into and validate build and de-rig plans, schedules, operational documentation and briefings for all spectator areas.
  • Conduct site visits to assess layouts, access routes, infrastructure requirements and wayfinding.
  • Liaise with suppliers and contractors to confirm timelines and deliverables.
  • Work with Commercial Manager on partner activation space requirements.
  • Work with Marketing Manager on providing content and information within spectator spaces for promotional material.
  • Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations and licensing requirements.
  • Review and input into contingency plans particularly for crowd management and adverse weather scenarios.

Event Delivery (4 days)

  • Oversee build and installation of infrastructure in all three spectator areas, ensuring compliance with site guidelines and safe working practices.
  • Oversee wayfinding contract.
  • Oversee build and delivery of sponsor activation spaces.
  • Lead and coordinate the on-site delivery team, including Site Managers, contractors and volunteers.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for operational issues during the event.
  • Monitor crowd flow, safety, and visitor experience throughout the event day alongside Health and Safety team.
  • Supervise de-rig and ensure all areas are returned to agreed conditions post-event.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Proven experience in event operations or spectator management for large-scale public events.
  • Strong leadership and team coordination skills.
  • Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities under pressure.
  • Knowledge of health and safety, crowd management, and licensing requirements.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders (local authorities, suppliers, contractors).
  • Flexible and available for on-site work during evenings/weekends as required.

Duration and Availability

  • Pre-event: 10 days (spread across planning period in January – March 2026) including the following key dates:
    15 January 2026
    12 February 2026
    5 March 2026
  • Event period: 4 consecutive days (including build, live event, and de-rig) 2-5 April 2026.

How to Apply

Please send applications to Event Director, Chris Price, [email protected] with a CV and short cover letter

Closing date for applications: Friday 12 December 2025

Trial Eights is the ONLY time during a Boat Race season that the clubs will race the complete Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake in a one-on-one duel with another crew before The Boat Race itself. It’s a dress rehearsal for the rowers, coxes, coaches and umpires and the event team on the bank.

To help us provide both crews and spectators with the best possible experience, we’re looking for volunteers for a number of roles, mainly at the ticketed event at Thames.

Update 26 November 2025: Our volunteer team is now complete for Trial Eights but do register your interest and we will contact you if any vacancies arise. Alternatively, please volunteer for Boat Race Day on 4 April 2026, where there is a much larger volunteer team.

Volunteer at Trial Eights

Every year, The Boat Race relies on volunteers to help ensure that spectators and crews have the best experience. Please register your interest in joining our Event Team on 3 and/or 4 April 2026 by completing the form below.

Please complete this form even if you have volunteered before so we have your 2026 availability.

Name(Required)
Have you volunteered with The Boat Race before?(Required)
Which dates are you available?(Required)
There's a wide range of volunteer roles available at The Boat Race. Please let us know if you would be particularly interested in any of these:(Required)
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and we appreciate your flexibility as we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to your preferred role.
How did you come to this form?
Please tick all that apply.
Consent(Required)