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Hospitality & Catering

Event Manager

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Event managers are responsible for organising and coordinating a wide range of events, such as conferences, exhibitions, weddings, festivals, and corporate meetings. The role involves working closely with clients to understand their needs, selecting suitable venues, managing budgets, liaising with suppliers, and ensuring events run smoothly from start to finish. Event managers need excellent organisational skills, creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure. They often work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, depending on event schedules. This career is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with people and thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Event Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Event managers in the UK earn between £22,000 and £50,000 per year, with experienced professionals in senior roles earning up to £60,000.

Job Opportunities

There are around 35,000 people employed in event management roles across the UK, with opportunities in cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Growth Outlook

The events industry in the UK is expected to grow by approximately 5 percent per year, driven by corporate events, festivals, and conferences.

🚀 Careers in this path

Wedding Planner

Organises and manages all aspects of wedding ceremonies and receptions, including venues, catering, and decoration.

Corporate Events Coordinator

Plans and oversees business events such as conferences, seminars, and company parties, ensuring smooth operation and guest satisfaction.

Festival Organiser

Coordinates music, food, or arts festivals, handling logistics, vendor management, and entertainment programming.

Gain Qualifications and Experience

Complete Relevant Education

Study for A levels or equivalent qualifications, ideally in subjects like business, hospitality, or event management.

While a degree is not always essential, many Event Managers have a foundation in business, marketing, or hospitality. You may choose to pursue a university degree or a vocational qualification in event management, travel and tourism, or a related field. Apprenticeships in events or hospitality are also a good starting point and offer practical experience.

Gain Work Experience

Volunteer or work part-time at events to build practical experience and understanding of the industry.

Look for opportunities to help with school events, local festivals, charity fundraisers, or community activities. Work experience in hotels, catering, or customer service is also relevant. Some students join societies at university or college to help organise events, which can be excellent experience for your CV.

Develop Key Skills

Build Organisational Skills

Practise planning and coordinating tasks to improve your organisational abilities.

Event Managers need to juggle multiple tasks, deadlines, and suppliers. You can develop these skills by managing your own projects, such as planning a party or a fundraising event, or by taking on organisational roles in clubs or societies. Good time management and attention to detail are essential.

Improve Communication and Negotiation

Work on your verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to negotiate with suppliers and clients.

Effective communication is crucial for working with clients, suppliers, and team members. Practise presenting ideas, writing emails, and negotiating terms. You might take part in debating clubs or group projects to develop these skills. Being able to listen to clients' needs and resolve problems calmly is highly valued.

Start Your Career in Events

Apply for Entry-Level Roles

Look for jobs such as Event Assistant, Event Coordinator, or Junior Event Planner to start your career.

Entry-level positions will give you experience of the events industry and help you build a professional network. You can find these roles with event management companies, hotels, conference centres, or within the events teams of large organisations. Use your CV to highlight any relevant experience and skills gained from previous roles or volunteering.

Progress to Event Manager

Gain experience and take on more responsibility to advance to an Event Manager role.

After a few years in the industry, with proven experience in planning and delivering successful events, you can progress to more senior roles. Continuing professional development, such as attending industry workshops or gaining further qualifications, can help you stand out.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Event Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

The 'Events manager' directly correlates with the 'Events manager' position listed, as both roles involve planning, organising, and overseeing the execution of events. They require similar skills in coordinating vendors, managing budgets, and ensuring client satisfaction, making them closely aligned in terms of qualifications and responsibilities.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

University

You may have an advantage when looking for work if you have a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree.

Relevant subjects include:

  • events management
  • marketing
  • communications
  • hospitality management
  • leisure and tourism
  • business management

University courses that include work placements will help you get practical experience and develop contacts in the industry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You can gain relevant skills and knowledge that might help you get started in the industry by taking a course like:

  • event planning
  • event management
  • live events and promotion

Some travel and tourism courses may also include an events planning option.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do one of the following apprenticeships:

  • Event Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant or marketing assistant and work your way up through training and promotion.

Conference management, marketing and public relations companies would be useful to work for.

Volunteering

Volunteer work as a crew member at large events or exhibitions can be a good way to get experience, build contacts in the industry and get to know about vacancies that go unadvertised.

To find volunteering opportunities:

  • follow conference and events organisations on social media
  • look out for news of events in your local area
  • search Do IT

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you can show you have experience of working in areas like public relations, marketing or hospitality.

More Information

Career tips

Employers will usually look for relevant experience and strong transferable skills, like organising, budget management and marketing.

You can get skills like these from working in industries, such as:

  • hotel conference and banqueting
  • travel
  • sales
  • PR
  • fundraising

Professional and industry bodies

You can find training opportunities and make industry contacts through organisations like:

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