Join the
Jesus
May Ball
Committee

Every year, we bring the biggest Ball in Cambridge to life. You can help make it happen.

Find out what it's about

We're organising the biggest ball in town.

An event that makes memories. And it can't happen without a dedicated team.

The Jesus May Ball is a massive celebration taking place after the June exams. Over 3000 students, alumni, friends, and fellows come together for a night of abundant food & drink, big-name headliners, and a plethora of other entertainment.

At the heart of this grand event is the Jesus May Ball Committee — the team that makes it all happen. By leveraging the diverse skills and creativity of our members, we design, plan, and execute this spectacular experience.

Curious about what it's like to be part of the team? Watch the video below to hear from past committee members about their experience.

1877

The first Jesus College 'Garden Party' takes place. The Band of the Grenadier Guards performs. These events, later known as 'June Events' and then 'May Balls', have continued every two or three years since.

2019

The college was transformed into a mirrored landscape, illuminated with thousands of lights and headlined by Example and The Hoosiers.

2022

Headlined by Sigala and Foxes, guests spent their night in the clouds as they enjoyed Taking Flight.

2023

Guests experienced BLOOM, a night of creation, classification, and genesis, with Kelis and Shy FX headlining.

2024

With epic performances by Tinie Tempah and The Hunna, guests journeyed Into the Surreal, revelling in the beauty of a night where the boundaries between the possible and impossible were dissolved.

2025

Last year the college saw its biggest ball yet! The grounds were transformed with bold colours, vibrant lights, and guests were treated to unforgettable sets by Ella Henderson and Sea Girls.

Get a role in
Food
Drink
Legal
Software
Logistics
Marketing
Sponsorship
Entertainment
Graphic design
Infrastructure
Security
Staffing
Creative
Finance
Production
JMB26

Available Positions

To make JMB26 the best yet, we're looking for dedicated, organised, proactive individuals with high standards, a keen eye for detail, and a strong sense of teamwork. All subjects, any years; no experience required. We've got a role for everybody — what matters is your commitment and enthusiasm. There's plenty of opportunity to learn on the job. Applications are open until the 12th of October, 11:59pm.

Leadership Positions

Step into a leadership position at the Jesus May Ball and make a real impact! These positions are essential to the event's success, overseeing everything from high-level strategy to on-the-ground logistics. Your'll have the opporuntity to help guide other committee members and ensure the event's setup runs smoothly. We're also offering opportunities for leadership within other areas, such as Head  of Staffing,Head of Catering, and Head of Creative, which can be applied for through the Staffing, Food, Drink, and Creative roles. Whether you're experienced in managing large projects or eager to develop your leadership skills, these roles are the perfect chance to make a difference and gain valuable experience in event management.

Logistics Coordinator

As Logistics Coordinator, you'll oversee the setup and dismantling of all infrastructure, ensuring everything is in place for the big night. You'll work closely with other departments, helping to oversee key aspects like site planning, vendor coordination, and organising Setup Week, whilst also liaising with College staff to make sure everything runs smoothly. This role is ideal for someone who's organised, detail-oriented, and enjoys working with logistics. You'll gain hands-on experience in event management, problem-solving, and collaborating with various teams, making it a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of one of the year's most exciting events.

Apply now

Operations

Join the heart of the Jesus May Ball as part of the Operations team! You'll manage the essential behind-the-scenes elements that keep the event running smoothly, from handling finances and legal compliance to maintaining our digital presence and coordinating administrative tasks. This department offers diverse roles for detail-oriented, proactive individuals who want to gain hands-on experience in areas like budgeting, legal guidance, social media, web management, and administration. It's the perfect opportunity to develop valuable skills and be an integral part of making the May Ball a success.

Treasurer

As Treasurer, you'll oversee the financial operations of the Jesus May Ball, ensuring we stay on budget and financially secure. You'll manage departmental budgets, track all income and expenses, and ensure timely payments to contractors. This role suits someone who is detail-oriented and responsible, offering hands-on experience with accounting systems and the chance to develop valuable skills in budgeting, financial analysis, and risk management. If you're confident with spreadsheets and enjoy working with money, this is the role for you!

Legal and Compliance

In this role, you'll ensure the Jesus May Ball operates within all legal frameworks, covering everything from licensing and data protection to equality and consumer rights. You'll review contracts, provide legal guidance, and help the committee navigate a range of regulatory requirements. This position is ideal for someone with a sharp eye for detail, a strong interest in law, and a proactive mindset. You'll gain hands-on experience in managing compliance and legal risks, playing a crucial part in ensuring the event runs smoothly and within legal boundaries.

Digital Services

In this role, you'll be responsible for maintaining the website, ticketing platform, and email systems for theJesus May Ball, ensuring they run smoothly and securely. This position is ideal for someone with web design or development skills and an interest in system administration and security. You'll also have the opportunity to improve our internal systesms and organisational software, to improve committee colaboration throughout the year.

Secretary

Be the organisational backbone of the Jesus May Ball! As Secretary, you'll support the committee by managing administrative tasks, taking minutes at meetings, organising socials, and handling customer enquiries. It's a role that offers insight into all aspects of the event, making it perfect for someone who's organised, proactive, and enjoys keeping everything running smoothly. You'll gain valuable experience in administration, communication, and project management, all while playing a vital role in one of the biggest nights at Jesus College.

Head of Marketing

Bring the excitement of the Jesus May Ball to life! As Head of Marketing, you'll craft engaging narratives, create vibrant content, and develop innovative strategies to build drive ticket sales and attract sponsers. You'll be responsible for growing our online presence, managing platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and recruiting well-known brands to sponser JMB26. This role is perfect for someone with a creative flair, great organisational skills, and a passion for social media. You'll gain hands-on experience in digital marketing, content creation, and strategy, making it an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to expand their skills in this dynamic field.

Logistics

The Logistics team coordinates all the essential elements, from managing technical production and security to curating incredible entertainment, food, and drink experiences. Whether you're interested in overseeing the venue's setup, recruiting staff, or ensuring the event is safe and secure, there's a role to suit every skill set. There are a variety of opportunities for hands-on experience in event planning, problem-solving, and collaboration, making it the perfect place to contribute to one of the most exciting nights at Jesus College.

Food

Help us create a delicious experience for the Jesus May Ball! In this role, you'll be responsible for curating a diverse range of food options, from vegan and vegetarian to halal and kosher, ensuring every guest is catered for. You'll work closely with vendors, manage contracts, and oversee all food services to ensure everything runs smoothly on the night. We'll be selecting a Head of Catering from all applicants for both the Food and Drink roles, so there's an opportunity to take on more responsibility if you're up for the challenge. This role is perfect for someone who's organised, detail-oriented, and eager to develop their negotiating skills. It's a fantastic chance to develop skills in event planning, all whilst ensuring everyone leaves with a satisfied appetite!

Drinks

Help us craft an unforgettable drink experience for the Jesus May Ball! In this role, you'll be responsible for curating a diverse selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, from cocktails to mocktails, ensuring every guest is catered for. You'll work closely with vendors, manage contracts, and oversee the committee-run bars to ensure everything flows smoothly on the night. We'll be selecting a Head of Catering from all applicants for both the Food and Drink roles, so there's an opportunity to take on more responsibility if you're up for it. This role is perfect for someone who's organised, detail-oriented, and eager to develop their negotiating skills. It's a fantastic chance to develop skills in event planning and stock management whilst making sure everyone enjoys a fantastic range of beverages!

Head of Staffing / Staffing Assistant

As part of the Staffing team, you'll be responsible for recruiting, training, and managing hundreds of staff members who make the night run smoothly. From hiring site managers and bartenders to organising setup and cleanup workers, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring everything runs like clockwork. We're hiring both a Head of Staffing and a Staffing Assistant, so whether you have lots of experience or are just starting, there's an opportunity for you. This role suits someone who is organised, a great communicator, and who enjoys working with people. It's a fantastic chance to develop your recruitment and management skills whilst being a key part of one of the biggest nights at Jesus College.

Production

In this role, you'll manage the technical and production aspects of the Jesus May Ball, ensuring lighting, sound, power, and staging are coordinated smoothly. You'll work with a professional production company and liaise with committee members, performers, and vendors to bring everything together seamlessly. This position would suit someone with strong organisational skills and attention to detail. It is a great opportunity for anyone interested in event production or technical theatre, but there's plenty of room to learn on the job. You'll gain hands-on experience in event logistics, problem-solving, and coordinating large-scale technical operations.

Infrastructure

In this role, you'll transform the Jesus College grounds into a fully equipped venue for the May Ball. You'll manage everything from marquees and furniture to waste management and toilets, ensuring every element runs smoothly. While it might not sound glamorous, this role is incredibly fun and involves plenty of hands-on problem-solving. This role is perfect for someone who is practical, organised, and ready to tackle challenges. It's an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in event logistics and play a key role in one of the year's biggest events.

Customer Safety and Security

In this role, you'll be responsible for ensuring the safety and security of everyone at the Jesus May Ball. You'll organise perimeter security, implement access management, and work closely with a professional security company to create a safe environment. This role is perfect for someone detail-oriented, with strong planning skills and the ability to foresee potential security weaknesses. You'll have the opportunity to work with multiple stakeholders, including key members of College staff, and develop valuable experience in event security, risk management, and meticulous planning.

Musical Entertainment

Are you passionate about music and keen to curate an unforgettable lineup? In this role, you'll be responsible for securing and managing a range of performers for the Jesus May Ball, from student bands to tribute acts. You'll collaborate with other committee members to ensure all technical needs are met and help keep everything running smoothly on the night. This role is perfect for someone with great communication skills, an eye for detail, and a love for all things music. It's a fantastic chance to get involved in the Cambridge music scene, gain valuable experience in event planning, and work behind the scenes at one of the year's biggest events.

Non-Musical Entertainment

Bring the fun to the Jesus May Ball! In this role, you'll be in charge of organising a diverse range of non-musical entertainment, from fairground rides and games to inflatables and a casino. You'll work with vendors, ensure everything is set up correctly, and keep the excitement going throughout the night. This position is perfect for someone who's creative, organised, and enjoys bringing ideas to life. It's a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in event planning and to play a key role in making the Jesus May Ball unforgettable for guests.

Creative

Join the Creative team and help curate the visual identity of the Jesus May Ball! This team is responsible for developing and executing the event's aesthetic, from designing stunning graphics to transforming the venue into a captivating experience. Whether you're interested in graphic design, videography, or leading the overall creative vision, there's a role that lets you showcase your artistic skills. It's a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop your creative talents, and play a key part in making JMB26 an unforgettable event.

Creative Team

Shape the artistic vision of the Jesus May Ball and bring our brand to life! In this role, you'll help develop and implement a captivating visual experience, from marketing materials to on-the-night decor. You'll work on everything from designing key installations to overseeing the visual transformation of the College grounds. We'll be selecting one applicant as the Head of Creative, so there's an opportunity to lead if you're up for the challenge. This role is perfect for someone with a bold creative vision, strong project management skills, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. It's a fantastic chance to gain hands-on experience in event design and see your ideas come to life at one of the year's most exciting events.

Graphic Design

Bring the Jesus May Ball to life with your creativity! In this role, you'll craft stunning publicity materials and transform our brand into a vibrant visual experience. You'll design captivating graphics, posters, and promotional content that capture the spirit and identity of JMB26. Experience with vector graphics and digital drawing is essential, as you'll use these skills to create high-quality designs. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a flair for design to gain hands-on experience.

What's in it for you?

It isn't all just work — there's lots for you in return. We're likely to review and enhance these benefits throughout the year, but here's a brief overview of what we're offering right now. If you'd like more information on any of them, just ask!

Free entry to JMB26 and JMB27

Enjoy a free ticket to JMB26 and JMB27! You'll experience two unforgettable Jesus May Balls without the worry of ticket costs. And committee privileges mean no queuing either.

Free entry to JMB26 for your guests

As a committee member, you can invite your friends and family to join in the fun at no additional cost. Share the magic of your hard work with those closest to you, making the night even more memorable!

Free entry to other selected Balls

In addition to JMB26 and JMB27, you'll enjoy complimentary access to other selected Balls. It's a great opportunity to experience a variety of other colleges dressed up in their May Ball aesthetics.

Free formals, socials, and stash

Throughout the year, we'll arrange various social events with the committee, including formals and nights out. This will be an opportunity to get to know the team beyond work. There is also a wide choice of JMB26 stash to enjoy.

Free tastings and samplings

The role of vetting all our delicious food and drink vendors falls on the capable shoulders of our committee members. It's a wonderful perk that allows you to explore and enjoy new bars and restaurants throughout the year.

Dinner in the Master’s Lodge

If we're as fortunate as we have been in previous years, we'll get to enjoy dinner in the Master's Lodge alongside the dedicated members of College staff who also play a pivotal role in bringing Jesus May Ball to life.

Unforgettable experiences

From the thrill of event planning to the excitement of the big night itself, you'll be part of something truly extraordinary. You'll make friends across all year groups and enjoy memorable moments that you'll cherish for years to come. A JMB24 committee member described their time on the committee as the "highlight of [their] year" and "most insane event [they've] helped create".

Stand out to employers

Being part of the JMB26 Committee is not just about the incredible experiences and memories; it's also a fantastic opportunity to stand out to future employers. Your involvement in planning and executing a major event like JMB demonstrates your organisational skills, teamwork, and ability to manage a significant budget. It's a valuable addition to any CV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Website design by Kian Cross. Video content by Jedrek Koh.