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Events manager

Alternative titles for this job include Conference and exhibition manager

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

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Events manager

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

More Information

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.

More Information

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

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin 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.

Real career story

Man sitting at a desk in a TV studio.

Apprenticeship

"I did a 2 year Business Administration Apprenticeship within the Civil Service. I stayed for 12 years working in various departments and found my passion for events and marketing. The apprenticeship helped me choose the career path I wanted to take."

University study and work

"I went on to study a Chartered Institute in Marketing (CIM) qualification at university. I started working for a college doing marketing and events for student recruitment. I moved into commercial events, working with clients from their initial enquiry through to the event itself."

Lead event coordinator

"I moved to a university as the lead event coordinator. I enjoyed working in the events team as no day was the same. I managed lots of events ranging from small meetings and functions to large conferences. I also organised some pretty cool events such as BBC Question Time."

Business development manager

"I was promoted to business development manager within the university. To work in events you need to have an eye for detail, be very organised and able to multitask. People outside of work often say I should work in events as I pre-empt any problems and am really organised, to which I reply, I do!"

More Information

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:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an events manager, you'll:

  • agree the type of event, 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 for the duration of the event

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Catering Manager

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: Ipswich

Marketing Events Apprentice

  • Wage: £18,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Ruddington, Nottingham

Courses In England

Event Planning

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds

Event Planning - Level 2

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 December 2025
  • Location: Blackpool

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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