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Hospitality & Catering

Event Manager

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Event Managers are responsible for organising and overseeing a wide range of events, such as conferences, weddings, exhibitions, and festivals. Their duties include meeting clients to understand their needs, selecting venues, coordinating suppliers, managing budgets, and ensuring the smooth running of events on the day. This role requires strong organisational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure and solve problems quickly. Event Managers also need to be creative and adaptable, as every event can bring unique challenges. Careers in event management can be found in specialised event agencies, within large companies, or by working freelance.

Event Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average salary

Event Managers in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £40,000 per year, with senior roles reaching up to £60,000.

Industry size

The UK events industry is estimated to be worth over £42 billion annually and supports more than 570,000 jobs.

Typical working hours

Event Managers often work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, especially in the lead-up to events.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Festival Coordinator

Organises and manages specific types of festivals such as music, food, or cultural events, focusing on logistics, entertainment, and attendee experience.

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Wedding Planner

Specialises in planning and coordinating all aspects of weddings, from venues and catering to entertainment and decorations.

Corporate Events Organiser

Plans and delivers business-related events such as conferences, product launches, and team-building days for companies and organisations.

Develop Relevant Skills

Gain Communication Skills

Good communication is essential for working with clients, suppliers, and team members.

Strong communication skills help you understand clients' needs and ensure instructions are clear. You can improve these skills by participating in group projects, volunteering, or joining clubs at school or college where you have to organise events or activities.

Build Organisation and Time Management Abilities

Event managers must be highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

Organisation and time management can be developed by managing your own workload, using planners and lists, or taking responsibility for group activities. You can also practise by helping to arrange community or school events.

Gain Qualifications and Experience

Complete Relevant Studies

Consider studying subjects such as event management, hospitality, business, or marketing.

You can take a college course, such as a Level 3 Diploma in Event Management or Hospitality, or pursue a degree in event management, hospitality management, business, or related fields at university. Some employers may accept relevant experience instead of formal qualifications.

Get Work Experience

Gain practical experience by volunteering or working part-time in event support roles.

Look for opportunities to help organise events at school, in your community, or with local charities. You can also apply for part-time or seasonal jobs at event venues, hotels, or with event management companies. This helps you understand how events are run and builds valuable industry contacts.

Start Your Career and Progress

Apply for Entry-Level Roles

Look for jobs like event assistant, event coordinator, or junior event planner.

Entry-level positions let you learn the ropes of event management and develop your skills further. You will likely be involved in admin tasks, liaising with suppliers, and helping set up and run events.

Build a Professional Network

Networking helps you find new job opportunities and learn from experienced professionals.

Attend industry events, join professional associations such as the Association of Event Organisers, and connect with others online through platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships can help you find mentors and progress in your career.

Progress to Management

With experience, move up to roles with more responsibility, such as event manager or director.

As you gain experience, you can take on larger events, manage teams, and handle budgets. You might also specialise in certain types of events, like weddings or corporate conferences. Continuing professional development through short courses or workshops can also help you advance.

🎯 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.

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

The role of an Events manager shares the core responsibilities of planning, coordinating, and overseeing various events, requiring strong organisational and leadership skills. Both positions involve managing multiple stakeholders, budgets, and logistics to ensure the successful delivery of events or projects.

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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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