Proactive Event Project Manager Job Description

Summary

The event project manager plans, arranges and oversees events. He/she forms a team to assist him in behind-the-scenes operations ensuring that no hitches or equipment/prop malfunction occurs before, during and after the event. These managers are also responsible for advertising and building up events, using tested marketing, advertising and communication strategies. The event project manager uses his expertise and management skill to handle the creative, electronic, technical and logistical dimensions of event planning and apply them in design sets, audience accommodation, audio-visual output, editorial script, logistics, fund allocation and customer service.

Duties

Event project managers usually start their work interviewing the client. They discuss the occasion, the background of personalities of the event, the reason for the event, the concept of the audiences and type of setting preferred. The event project manager oversees all logistics of the event, which includes tasks such as hiring caterers, decorators, entertainers, and staff; managing everyone on the team, and ensuring all furniture, decorations and designs are properly set with signs properly displayed. Event project managers also communicate with hotels or other accommodation and transportation services to drive special guests to and from the event. They also manage the budget, keep financial records, documents, receipts and invoices of all purchases and adhere to all local ordinances, codes, statutes, rules and regulations. Finally, event project managers plan the event while following safety precautions to avoid accidents and injuries.

Education and Training Requirements

Holding a college degree is not a requirement to become an event project manager, though most employers nowadays hire individuals with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in business management, finance, human resources or public relations. Many of them hold non-related degrees, but relevant on-the-job training experience helped them to become event project managers.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

Management, logistical, business, budget, multi tasking, communication and problem solving skills are very essential skills needed to become an effective event project manager.

Working Conditions

Event project managers usually work in comfortable, quiet, office-based settings. The job can be demanding and stressful, particularly when handling two or more events. The job demands overtime work especially as the event draws nears. Event project managers usually work standard office hours, although evening work is needed as events are usually held at night and on weekends.

Salary

An event project manager makes $56,000 annually on average. Factors such as size of company, location, nature of the industry, benefits and experience may cause salaries to vary considerably among event project managers.