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Events manager

Event managers organise and run conferences, exhibitions, promotions and business and social events.

Annual Salary

£21,000 to £40,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 39 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home

2.9%
Future employment

There will be 2.9% more Events manager jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this job you'll:

  • discuss what type of event the client wants
  • come up with original ideas for events
  • agree budgets and timescales with the client
  • research venues, contacts and suppliers and negotiate prices
  • book venues, entertainment, equipment and supplies
  • hire and supervise contractors like caterers and security
  • oversee the design of publicity material and promote events
  • sell exhibition stand space and arrange sponsorship deals
  • follow health, safety and insurance regulations
  • make sure everything runs smoothly on the day

Working environment

You could work in an office, at events, at a venue or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be physically active, you'll travel often and you may spend nights away from home.

You can get into this job through:

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

A degree is not essential for this role but you may have an advantage if you have a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree.

Particularly 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
For more information
College

There is no set entry route to become an events manager so many courses would be acceptable. You can gain particularly relevant skills and knowledge through courses like:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Event Planning
  • Level 3 Certificate in Event Management
  • Level 3 Diploma in Live Events and Promotion

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could get started in the conference and events industry through the following apprenticeships:

  • events assistant advanced apprenticeship
  • hospitality management 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
For more information
Work

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

Companies that would be good to work at include conference management, marketing or public relations.

Volunteering and work experience

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 if you can show you have a lot of experience 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.

It may be especially useful to get any experience you can gain in industries like:hotel conference and banqueting; travel; sales; PR; fundraising

Professional and industry bodies

Find training opportunities and make industry contacts through organisations like:Association of Event Organisers; Eventia

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an events manager from:Association of Event Organisers; Association of British Professional Conference Organisers

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With experience and a good track record, you could run events that have larger budgets and eventually move into senior management.

You could also work freelance or set up your own conference or events management business.

You can find out more about becoming an events manager from:

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • leadership skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • maths skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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