Events Manager

Responsible for:
As an events manager, you would be responsible for organising and running all kinds of promotional, corporate and social events. You would control the whole project, from initial planning, making sure that all elements come together on schedule, to running the event on the day.

Average salary:
Salaries generally start from around £18,000 to £22,000 a year and with more experience, earnings can reach £25,000 to £40,000 and £50,00 to £80,000. Many may also include bonuses and commission, particularly if the job involves sales and marketing responsibilities.

Typical working hours:
You would generally work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, although your hours can be long and unsocial as events approach. You may also need attend events in the evenings and at the weekend, or travel to events in the UK and overseas depending on the companies client base.

Qualifications:
You could come to events management from a range of backgrounds. You often do not need particular qualifications, because employers will look for relevant experience or strong transferable skills.

However, you may have an advantage with a degree, foundation degree or BTEC HNC/HND in events management, as courses often include work experience placements. Other useful subjects include hospitality management, marketing, public relations or business studies.

Whatever qualifications you have, you should ideally have practical experience in organising events. This could be from a related industry like hotel conference and banqueting, travel or public relations. Alternatively you could also start as an administrator or assistant in an event management company or an organisation's marketing department.

General requirements:

• Excellent organisational skills and 'multi-tasking' ability
• Good communication and 'people skills'
• Customer focus
• Creative approach to problem solving
• High level of attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Good negotiation, sales and marketing skills
• Budget awareness
• Administrative and IT skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and also on your own initiative
• Enthusiasm, motivation and a positive attitude

Career prospects:
Your skills as an events manager are very transferable both within the different sectors of the Finance industry and other industries such as leisure/tourism or charities; or working for an actual event management company organising events and conferences on behalf of your clients.