What is an Event Manager?
You should consider an event management role if you are highly organised, can demonstrate great interpersonal skills and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Event managers are responsible for planning and organising promotional, business and social events for an organisation or agency. They are liable for marketing the event properly to ensure the attendees are the target audience and the smooth running of the event on the day. Events are critical to establishing a brand name. Events come in various forms, from conferences and seminars to exhibitions and parties – you will need to know how to organise them in whichever form they take. You will need to manage and oversee the entire process right from the planning stage, through to the execution and post-event evaluation. You will usually be a part of a team and will be responsible for delegating responsibilities throughout that team.
Responsibilities
As an event manager, you’ll need to:
- Liaise with clients to find out their exact event requirements
- Produce detailed proposals for events (including timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets)
- Research venues, suppliers and contractors, then negotiate prices and hire
- manage and coordinate suppliers and all event logistics (for example, venue, catering, travel)
- Liaise with sales and marketing teams to publicise and promote the event
- Manage all pre-event planning, organising guest speakers and delegate packs
- Coordinate suppliers, handle client queries and troubleshoot on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly and to budget
- Manage a team of staff, giving full briefings
- Organise facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, hospitality and the media
- Make sure that insurance, legal, health and safety obligations are followed
- Oversee the dismantling and removal of the event and clear the venue efficiently
- Produce post-event evaluation to inform future events
- Research opportunities for new clients and events.
Salary
For an entry-level events role, you can expect to earn between £18,000 to £22,000.
As you become more experienced, your salary will increase to between £22,000 to £25,000 . Once you progress to a manager role, your salary can be between £30,000 to £40,000. However, you will need to demonstrate extensive experience and an impressive track record.
Your salary will vary depending on the size of the company, location and sector. You will be eligible for additional benefits such as performance-related pay, commission and bonuses. According to Glassdoor the average salary for an events manager in the UK is £34,073.
Working hours
Events managers should expect to work normal office/working hours prior to an event. However, you may be required to work evenings and sometimes weekends closer to or during the event. You may also be required to travel.
What to expect
- Although the work is largely office-based, you’ll need to travel to visit clients, partners, sponsors, venues and other suppliers. You may need to work outside to plan and deliver the event, e.g. an outdoors concert or festival.
- Jobs are available throughout the UK, often in larger towns and cities, or locations with large conference and event venues.
- Self-employment and freelance work are possible once you’ve got experience and an established network of contacts.
- Depending on the kind of event you’re working on, you may need to spend time away from home either in the UK or abroad.
Qualifications
You do not need a degree to enter the events industry however, having a degree may help you stand out against other candidates. Employers will mostly be concerned with if you are able to demonstrate the relevant experience, capabilities and personal qualities to succeed in events management. You will usually learn on the job and will naturally work your way up the ladder. However, if you would like additional experience and qualifications you may be interested in sitting for the Level 2 Cetificate in Event Planning. Some people move into event management from related areas such as marketing, hospitality, PR or arts administration.
Skills
must have skills:
- Organisational skills and attention to detail
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Negotiation skills when looking for the best price from venues, suppliers and contractors
- Time-management skills and the ability to work under pressure to ensure the efficient running of an event
- Project management experience
- Problem-solving skills and diplomacy
- Sales and marketing skills to promote the event and attract sponsorship
- The ability to manage budgets
- A flexible, target-driven, proactive approach
- Administrative and IT skills
- Self-motivation and enthusiasm.
Work experience
The events industry is highly competitive therefore, having relevant experience from either paid or voluntary work where you are able to demonstrate your skills will enhance your application. You may even want to consider taking a placement year between your second and third year of university to gain this experience and make industry contacts.
There may also be opportunities at university to help with the organising of events for student societies, charities or local organisations. Experience in verticals such as hospitality, marketing or sales will also show you have transferrable skills.
Employers
You can work in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors for event management companies, in-house organisations or freelance. Typical employers include:
- Charities
- Conference and exhibition centres
- Events venues
- Hotels
- Large commercial organisations
- Local authorities
- Music, literary and theatre festivals
- Public attractions
- Public relations (PR) agencies
- Specialist event management consultancies
- Universities.
Career prospects
As mentioned previously, the events industry is very competitive and the opportunity for promotion will depend on a variety of factors such as:
- The size and sector of the company you are employed by
- Your ability to develop the skills and qualities needed to succeed
- The network of industry contacts that you have built
- Your performance as far
Promotion may involve moving from an assistant post to team leader, which may include managing a small team, and then on to the role of manager, then senior manager or director. With experience, you can take on responsibility for large-scale events, which are more complex to manage, involve high-profile clients and include bigger budgets.
Related Courses
You’ll learn about managing projects, budgets and risk management and other operational skills needed to stage events and will develop your understanding of the important role that events have in communities at a local national and international level. You will learn ways that events can be managed to achieve sustainability goals and have a positive impact on society.
Other related courses include:
- BA (Hons) Marketing Management
- BA (Hons) Leisure and Tourism
- BA (Hons) Hotel Management
FAQ Summary
You should consider an event management role if you are highly organised, can demonstrate great interpersonal skills and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
For an entry-level events role, you can expect to earn between £18,000 to £22,000.
You do not need a degree to enter the events industry however, having a degree may help you stand out against other candidates. Employers will mostly be concerned with if you are able to demonstrate the relevant experience, capabilities and personal qualities to succeed in events management.
