Events Manager
Job Description:Event managers organise and run conferences, exhibitions, promotions and business and social events.
Job Category:What you will do:
You’ll oversee the whole project, from planning at the start to running the event on the day.
Your day-to-day duties might include:
- discussing what the client wants
- coming up with original ideas for events
- agreeing budgets and timescales with the client
- researching venues, contacts and suppliers
- negotiating prices with suppliers and contractors
- booking venues, entertainment, equipment and supplies
- hiring and supervising contractors such as caterers and security
- publicising the event
- making sure that everything runs smoothly on the day
- ensuring that health, safety and insurance regulations are followed
- managing a team
Skills:
You’ll need:
- maths skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- customer service skills
- organisational 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 (teamwork)
- to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
- leadership skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
Entry Requirements:
To become an events manager, you generally don’t need specific GCSE subjects. However, certain subjects can provide a strong foundation for the skills and knowledge required in this field. Here are some recommended GCSE subjects that can be beneficial:
- English: Strong communication skills are essential in event management, as you’ll be dealing with clients, vendors, and team members. English will help you develop written and verbal communication skills.
- Mathematics: Event managers often need to work with budgets, pricing, and financial aspects of events. A good grasp of mathematics can be helpful for these tasks.
- Business Studies: This subject can provide insights into business management, marketing, and event planning, which are all relevant to event management.
- Hospitality and Catering: This subject can be especially useful if you’re interested in event management in the context of hospitality, such as weddings, conferences, or corporate events.
- Art and Design: Creativity and aesthetics play a significant role in event planning and design. Art and design subjects can help you develop an eye for aesthetics and the ability to create visually appealing events.
- IT/Computer Science: In the modern world, technology plays a crucial role in event management. Knowledge of IT and computer science can be beneficial for using event management software, creating digital marketing materials, and managing online registration and ticketing systems.
- Psychology: Understanding human behavior and psychology can be useful for dealing with clients, understanding attendee preferences, and managing event staff.
- Geography: Knowledge of geography can be helpful when planning outdoor events or events with location-specific considerations.
Events managers often have a variety of backgrounds. You can do a college or university course in events management but it isn’t essential.
Whatever your qualifications or background, you should have practical experience gained from public relations, travel and tourism, or helping to organise events like live entertainment.
You could gain experience organising events and activities in your social life. Paid or unpaid work as a crew member at large events or exhibitions can also be a good way of building contacts within the industry.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll generally work standard office hours, although you may work long and unsocial hours in the run-up to events.
If you manage outdoor events, you’ll have to work in all weather conditions. You may also go to events in the evenings and at the weekend.
Depending on where you run the events, you may need to spend time traveling and staying overnight.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience and a good track record, you could run events that have larger budgets and eventually progress to management.
You could work freelance or set up your own events management business.