Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become an events manager
Bring your organisational skills to create memorable experiences for your clients .
What is an events manager?
As an events manager or events coordinator you'll plan and manage a spectrum of cultural and corporate events. These could include exhibitions, conferences, launch events and festivals.
How do I become an events manager?
You don't need a formal qualification to become an events manager but in a competitive market it can be a distinct advantage.
Personal skills and experience count for a lot, but a degree or an HND in the following areas could give you the edge:
- Event management
- Hotel or catering management
- Leisure and tourism
- Marketing
- Business studies
What would I do as an events manager?
As an events manager you'll be planning and managing engaging, memorable events down to the last detail.
As an events manager you'll work with your clients to understand what they want from their event. You'll come up with ideas to maximise impact and you'll be involved in every area of planning, preparation and delivery. It's an exciting, fast-moving role and you'll need to keep a firm grip on every aspect of the project as it takes shape.
Here's what's involved:
- Drawing up detailed proposals for events, factoring in timelines, venues, suppliers and budgets
- Negotiating with venues, suppliers and contractors
- Managing event logistics – for example, venues, catering, travel
- Liaising with marketing teams to publicise and promote the event
- Organising guest speakers and delegate packs
- Managing a team of staff and briefing them on the event
- Organising car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, hospitality and media facilities
- Troubleshooting on the day to make sure everything runs smoothly and to budget
- Making sure that insurance, legal, health and safety regulations are followed
- Evaluating the event afterwards to inform future events
Becoming an events manager could be for you if...
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You think on your feet
Planning and delivering an event you'll encounter plenty of challenges along the way. You'll need to adapt and respond quickly.
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You're a plate spinner
With responsibility for the whole show, you'll need to be skilled multi-tasker, adept at juggling priorities.
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You're a ringmaster
You'll find yourself at the centre of a wider team responsible for bringing the event to life.
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You're all over the details
Small things can make a big difference to the success of your event.
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You like making a splash
There's a special satisfaction in seeing your efforts come together to create impact for your clients.
What are the typical working hours for an events manager?
You'll generally work normal office hours, but you'll probably need to work extra hours, including evenings and weekends, on the run up to the event.
- Starting salaries typically range from £18,000 to £22,000
- With experience you can expect to earn between £22,000 and £25,000
- Salaries for managers can start at around £33,000 and rise to £40,000 for senior managers or directors with a lot of experience and a strong reputation
Additional benefits could include performance-related pay, commission and bonuses.
