| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Hospitality |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Events |
| Direct reports | Event Planner, Event Coordinator |
| Experience | 4 to 8 years in event management |
Event Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Event Manager
Department: Hospitality
Reports to: Head of Events
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Event Manager plans and delivers events end to end for clients. They understand the brief, build the plan and budget, book vendors and run the event on the day. The role reports to the Head of Events and leads planners and coordinators. A good Event Manager turns a client's idea into a smooth, memorable event, keeps every vendor and detail on track and handles the surprises that always come up on event day without the client ever seeing the stress.
Key responsibilities
- Understand the client brief and build the event concept, plan and budget.
- Source and book venues, caterers, decorators and other vendors for the event.
- Prepare the run sheet and timeline and coordinate every element to it.
- Manage the event budget and keep spend and margin under control.
- Lead the planning and coordination team on each assigned event.
- Run the event on the day and solve problems as they arise.
- Manage the client through planning and on the day of the event.
- Coordinate event logistics, permissions, setup and teardown for each event.
- Review the event afterwards for feedback, cost and lessons.
- Maintain strong vendor relationships and negotiate rates for upcoming events.
Requirements
- Degree or diploma in event management
- Strong event delivery experience
- Vendor network in the region
- 4 to 8 years in event management
KRAs and KPIs for a Event Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Event delivery | Events delivered to the run sheet with no major failure |
| Client satisfaction | Client feedback per event held above the agreed score |
| Budget control | Event spend and margin held within the approved budget |
| Vendor coordination | Vendors confirmed and delivered on time for every event |
| Timeliness | Planning milestones met so no event runs to the wire |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Event management software, MS Excel, Project planning tools, CRM, Budgeting sheets.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Events, Senior Event Manager, Business Head Events
Interview questions for a Event Manager
- Walk me through how you plan an event from brief to delivery.
- How do you build and manage an event budget?
- How do you keep vendors on track before an event?
- How do you handle a problem that hits during the event?
- How do you manage a client who keeps changing the plan?
- How do you review an event afterwards to improve?
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What does an Event Manager do?
An Event Manager plans and delivers events end to end for clients. They understand the brief, build the plan and budget, book vendors, prepare the run sheet and run the event on the day. They lead planners and coordinators and manage the client throughout, reporting to the Head of Events.
What is a run sheet in event management?
A run sheet is a minute by minute schedule of an event, listing every activity, who is responsible and when it happens, from setup to teardown. The event manager builds it during planning and uses it on the day to keep vendors, staff and the client aligned so nothing is missed.
What qualifications does an Event Manager need?
Most Event Manager roles ask for a degree or diploma in event management with strong event delivery experience and four or more years on the job. A vendor network in the region, budget control and calm problem solving on event day matter most, along with the ability to manage clients.