f1 recruitment specialists provide insight into finding a career in events:
What is the role of an Events Organiser?
Events organisers are responsible for the production of events from conception through to completion. Events could include:
- Exhibitions and fairs
- Festivals
- Conferences
- Promotions and product launches
- Fundraising and social events
- Experiential/ customer immersion events.
During COVID-19 many events have moved online, so a knowledge of online events platforms is essential.
It’s a hands-on role, working as part of a team, requiring clear communication skills to ensure the smooth and efficient running of an event.
Typical activities
- Researching opportunities for events
- Liaising with clients to ascertain their precise event requirements and producing detailed proposals for events e.g. timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets
- Agreeing to and managing a budget
- Securing and booking a suitable venue or location
- Coordinating venue management, caterers, stand designers, contractors and equipment hire
- Identifying and securing speakers, or special guests, or artists
- Planning room layouts and the entertainment programme
- Selling sponsorship/ stand/ exhibition space to potential exhibitors/ partners
- Preparing delegate packs and papers
- Liaising with marketing and PR colleagues to promote the event online
- Overseeing the dismantling and removal of the event and clearing the venue efficiently
- Post event evaluation, including data entry and analysis and producing reports for event stakeholders.
Where could I work?
- Event organisers work in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors at companies varying in size from small consultants, to larger multinational organisations
- You are likely to find that larger organisations will handle all aspects of event management in-house, or, in some cases, outsource to a specialist Events Management Consultancy
- During your career you might work at:
- Specialist event management consultancies
- Conference and exhibition centres e.g. Earls Court, Birmingham Exhibition Centre
- Event venues: think the 02, Wembley, Football arenas such as Spurs & Chelsea FC, Hyde Park
- Large commercial organisations
- Charities
- Hotels
- Public attractions
- Universitites
- Local Authorities
- Public relations (PR) agencies.
- Jobs are available throughout the UK, although they tend to be found closer to large towns and cities, or locations with large conference/ event venues.
What could I earn?
Range of typical starting salaries: £20,000 – £25,000.
As you progress in your career – mid-level salaries: £30,000 – £50,000 and after 10 – 15 years in the role, up to £100,000.
Working hours can be unsocial, with weekend and evening work.
How could my career progress?
Event management is a competitive business and promotion will depend on a range of factors, including the organisation you work for, how successful you have been in post, and your ability to demonstrate key skills and qualities in practice.
- Routes up the career ladder will vary from one organisation to another
- Promotion may involve a move from an assistant post to team leader, which may include managing a small team, or to a different management role
- With experience, an event organiser is likely to take on responsibility for larger scale events, which are more complex to manage, involve higher profile clients and include bigger budgets
- Career progression is likely to involve changing jobs, moving to a larger company or, alternatively, setting up as a freelance event management consultant
- Building a strong network of contacts in the industry is valuable for any of these routes.
What qualifications do I need?
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree/ HND subjects may increase your chances:
- Event management/ coordination
- Hotel or catering management
- Leisure and tourism
- Business
- Marketing.
There is no typical route to becoming an event organiser and you are unlikely to find a graduate training scheme in events management or direct-entry jobs advertised on a regular basis. However, the industry is expanding and graduate-level positions do exist. Most organisations will recruit as vacancies arise and jobs are generally open to all graduates who demonstrate the right skills and qualities.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification in events management is not required, though a relevant course could be advantageous if your first degree/ HND is not related. The Communication Advertising and Marketing Education Foundation (CAM) and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) run courses which are relevant to the events industry. Work experience is highly recommended.
Work experience
Work experience is essential, as organisations like to see applicants with experience and knowledge of the industry. If possible, try to secure paid experience with relevant companies, or get involved with organising events at school or university. Other experience that is relevant:
- Work in the hotel or travel industry
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer service.
What qualities/ skills do I need?
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Project management experience
- Time management skills and the ability to work under pressure
- Problem-solving skills and diplomacy
- Strong communication, teamwork, and negotiation skills
- A flexible and adaptable approach.
Useful contacts/ websites:
BAME2020 – https://www.bame2020.org/careers/
Campaign – https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/
f1 recruitment – https://www.f1recruitment.com/
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) – https://www.cim.co.uk/
The Communication Advertising and Marketing Education Foundation http://www.camfoundation.com/about-us/ – Event – a monthly publication by Haymarket Media Group
The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/ (Mondays and Saturdays)
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) – https://sponsorship.org/
