TEDx Trafford – Associate Curator Full Time NEW

Voluntary Role | Greater Manchester / Hybrid

TEDxTrafford CIC is seeking an Associate Curator to support the development and delivery of our next TEDxTrafford event.

TEDxTrafford is an independently organised TEDx platform rooted in ideas, identity, community, innovation and future-ready leadership. Our 2026 theme, Future Proof: Human by Design, will explore what it means to remain human, resilient and connected in a rapidly changing world.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about ideas worth spreading, storytelling, public engagement, inclusion and community impact.

About the role

The Associate Curator will work alongside the Lead Curator to support the speaker curation process, event programme development and overall creative direction of TEDxTrafford.

You will help identify, review and shape powerful ideas from speakers, contributors and community voices, ensuring the programme is compelling, diverse, ethical and aligned with TEDx standards.

Key responsibilities

The Associate Curator will support with:

• Speaker research, outreach and pipeline development
• Supporting the speaker selection process with fairness and confidentiality
• Helping shape the event programme and speaker themes
• Liaising with speakers, coaches and the wider organising team
• Ensuring ideas are original, clear, timely and aligned with the TEDxTrafford theme
• Supporting rehearsals, speaker readiness and event-day preparation
• Contributing to the creative vision and community impact of TEDxTrafford CIC
• Upholding TEDx rules, values, confidentiality and conflict-of-interest standards

We are looking for someone who has:

• A strong interest in ideas, culture, leadership, wellbeing, innovation or social impact
• Excellent judgement and the ability to spot a strong idea, not just a strong speaker
• Good communication, organisation and relationship-building skills
• Commitment to inclusion, representation and community voice
• Integrity, discretion and respect for confidentiality
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small, purpose-driven team
• Some experience in events, curation, public speaking, media, education, community work, leadership, coaching, academia or communications would be helpful

This role may suit someone who is:

• A curator, producer, facilitator or event professional
• A communications, leadership or public speaking specialist
• An academic, researcher, educator or community leader
• A coach, consultant or cultural sector professional
• Someone with a strong network across Greater Manchester and a passion for platforming powerful ideas

Time commitment

This is a voluntary role with a flexible time commitment, increasing slightly around speaker selection, rehearsals and event delivery.

Expected commitment: approximately 2–4 hours per month initially, increasing closer to the event.

What you will gain

This is a chance to:

• Help shape a growing civic ideas platform in Trafford
• Build your experience in TEDx-style curation and speaker development
• Work with inspiring speakers, partners and community leaders
• Contribute to a high-profile event with social, cultural and educational impact
• Be part of a values-led CIC focused on voice, leadership and community transformation

Important note

The Associate Curator role is separate from speaker coaching and sponsorship activity. This is to protect the fairness, integrity and independence of the speaker selection process.

To express interest

Please send a Email to info@tedxtrafford.com responding to the following questions:

1. Why you are interested in TEDxTrafford and the role
2. Relevant experience or networks you could bring
3. What “Future Proof: Human by Design” means to you