Event Specialist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for an event specialist job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an event specialist. Feel free to use our event specialist job description template to produce your own event specialist job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an event specialist.
Who is an Event Specialist?
There is a particular thought which fills the mind of every growing child and possibly their parents or guardian too; this is the thought of a career to choose for the growing child. This thought forms also part of the worries of the parent or guardian because they also have a say in directing their child towards the right career. They tend to study the behavior of the child, their likes and passion, and what attracts them most, and with this assist them greatly in advice concerning their choice of career.
Meanwhile, the child or youth now on their own can carry out self-examination to also ascertain the proper career for him or her, because so many things can influence a change in career choice. An individual who is good at organizing things, or mapping out workable plans for even little events, has good interpersonal skills, and can also work comfortably even amidst pressure and in a fast-paced environment should consider embracing a career as an event specialist. Or if as a young individual, you derive joy in organizing birthday parties, you should also consider becoming an event specialist. Some children exhibit these organizational skills while growing up; as such their parents should give them proper guidance towards becoming an event specialist. Even though there are so many careers that require organizational skills, help the child recognize the fact that they possess such skills in time, to build on them.
Who then are event specialists? An event, first of all, is an occurrence or something that takes place, especially important ones, or an important incident. It can also be defined as an organized and planned occasion. A specialist is one, who has a strong interest in a particular thing and is highly skilled in a certain field. An event specialist, therefore, has a strong interest in the planning and organization of events or occasions; or is highly skilled in planning events. Events play a very big role in the development and growth of an industry.
Event specialists are also known as event producers or event planners and are responsible for the creation, planning, budgeting, and overseeing of event concepts, and also the purchase of items to be used at such events. They also are responsible for selecting a good venue for the event, securing sponsorship, and the management of logistics and marketing. At the end of the event, they are faced with the task of preparing expenditure reports and noting the effectiveness of the event. An event is meant to be enjoyed by the attendees, and as such, it is the core duty of the event specialist to ensure there is a level of excitement and entertainment for joyful events.
Furthermore, event specialists are also marketing individuals and experts who work in a company are responsible for taking the company’s products to the public, and creating brand awareness by planning and organizing marketing events, and communicating with potential clients. Their objective hence is to create a kind of excitement in the hearts of potential customers about their company’s products and thereby boost sales. This can be brought to the limelight in the organization of concerts, and trade shows at strategic event venues. Companies and brands depend on event specialists to increase their brand outreach, and advertise their products, by creating various marketing strategies, which will aid their growth and make potential clients develop an interest in their products or services. Event specialists also collaborate with event management and sales staff, and the financial department to meet up with their business objectives.
Event Specialist Job Description
What is an event specialist job description? an event specialist job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of an event specialist in an organization. Below are the event specialist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an event specialist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
No career is without a job description, while some are tedious and difficult or complex; others are not so stressful. An event specialist puts in his very best by formulating strategies and ideas on how to grow a brand; how to bring a company’s product closer to the mind of clients. There are so many works attributed to an event specialist; their sole duty is to plan and organize events, from their conceptualization to their actualization, this should be aimed at sales and brand-boosting, also, to engage in social media content that will entice viewers and force them to make inquiries about your business.
For instance, before the event, the event specialist would have to meet with the event management, finance department, and clients to determine the number of attendees to know what budget would be made, and to know the bone of content for the event or meeting. Then during the event proper, the event planner handles the event logistics and registers the guests and the rest. After the event, the event planner examines the attendees to find out from them which topic or product interests them the most, and then prepares a report, both the attendees’ feedback and expenditure, and submits it to the director of events or directly to the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the company. This is not done once, but repeatedly, to keep memories of your business at heart and to always remember your brand. The job description of an event specialist is listed below:
- Create and supervise the event calendar.
- Develop event ideas.
- Sort out marketing resources for events.
- Handle event budget.
- Take care of the event logistics.
- Select venues for all events.
- Approve payments and issue invoices.
- Communicate with event speakers and assist with the preparation of event speaking notes.
- Communicate to clients about the company’s products and services.
- Discuss with potential clients during events.
- Arrange promotional events.
- Supervise working staff during events.
- Collaborate with the marketing department for effective output.
- Manage event risks and rewards.
- Create an effective and workable event plan and timeline, and maintain them.
- Collect records of customers’ assessments and always re-assess to ensure accuracy.
- Meet with customers to understand the aim of an event or meeting.
- Secure sponsorships.
- Arrange and take care of event services such as food, transportation, accommodation (if necessary), and so on.
- Inspect venues to ensure they are following the client’s taste.
- Observe the event services and be sure that attendees are satisfied.
- Develop a cordial relationship with vendors.
- Prepare reports and submit them promptly to the director of events or the CEO.
- Set up visual displays and take them down after the event.
- Distribute samples of the company’s products (if any).
- Assess the efficacy of campaigns done.
Qualifications
Becoming and working as an event specialist can be either easy or complicated, depending on the qualifications you bring to the table. There are various qualifications and skills required of one to become a professional in any field, or to embrace a particular career; the same applies to an event specialist. Employers take these qualifications seriously and cannot offer you a space in their organization if you fail to possess them. The necessary qualifications of an event specialist include:
- A bachelor’s degree in marketing, hotel management, public relations, hospitality, or any related course. This is not required though by every employer, but it would be better if you have one.
- At least 2 years of experience in planning events. Some employers may demand less.
- The capability of working independently.
- The capability of working with a team.
- Ability to plan and organize events.
- Have an experience in project management.
- Should have a strong ethic and organizational skills, in order words, multitasking skills.
- Good public speaking skills.
- Great leadership qualities.
- Should have advanced technical knowledge.
- Should be creative and innovative.
- Incredible interpersonal skills.
- Ability to stand for a long time in a day.
- Ability to write reports.
- The capability of communicating adequately to the director of events and CEO.
Essential Skills
Acquisition of certain skills could help you when going on a career hunt. Sociable, friendly, and self-motivated, are terms that employers use to describe a perfect event specialist. When you are efficiently skilled, you are loved by employers and they are always ready to work with you and see you showcase your skills in their firm. These skills pave the way for you to thrive both as an event specialist and in any other profession. These skills include:
- Organizational skills.
- Detail-oriented.
- Good communication skills.
- Sociable and great interpersonal skills.
- Budgeting and negotiating skills.
- Time management.
- Diplomatic and problem-solving skills.
- Marketing and sales skills.
- IT skills and tech-savvy.
- Enthusiasm and self-motivated.
- Analytical skills.
- Network savvy.
- Client-approach skill.
- Patience and enduring.
An event specialist will continue speaking with clients at a different level and as such should have very eloquent oral communication skills to enable clients to understand clearly and distinctly, which ensures their happiness and fulfillment. You cannot be a good event specialist or become one at all if you lack organizational skills. This is because; most of the time you would be doing multiple tasks, and will be expected to carry them out simultaneously. For you as an event specialist, it is not an option. Event planning and organization is more than just writing a list or creating a to-do list; you need to be visionary and be able to think of new events and marketing ideas. Do not feel bad if you do not possess this skill at the initial stage, it is a learnable skill and can be developed over time.
Furthermore, remember that you would be in charge of quite a team or group of people, and as such, the way you relate with them will determine the success of the event, therefore, as an event specialist, you need to possess strong leadership skills. In previous years, technology was seen as being irrelevant to the event specialist profession, but no more. The world has gone digital, hence, you need to be tech-savvy to be aware of the latest trends in the event industry. Clients need to leave happy after a successful event; this is one difficult task for an event specialist, and to carry out this task effectively, you need to have a strong zeal and dedication to serving clients.
How to Become an Event Specialist
To become a fully established personnel in any field, you need to follow a gradual process. If you have that passion and love for organizing things, meeting with people, and having strong interpersonal relationship skills, then you should try becoming an event specialist. To become one, you would need to follow the steps below:
Firstly you would need to complete high school and obtain a high school diploma. Then obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree in event management, human resource management, hotel management, marketing, or any related field. Some can apply for the position of event specialist without having to pass through education. But one thing is certain, that one who acquires formal education and obtains a degree would have a big advantage over you.
Secondly, you should consider applying and completing an internship. This can be done even while still in school or after you are graduated. This is to help you gain insight and experience into what you are about to go into. Employers also smile at applicants who complete internships before applying for any position. You can also gain experience while in the university by organizing events and parties for your friends and mates.
The next step is to learn industry technology, and then obtain certification from any recognized event company. You can become a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) or Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). This builds your portfolio and increases your working chance. Build your portfolio after this, prepare your resume and apply for the position in an event firm or any organization needing your service. When you must have gained much experience and become strong and stable in the job, you can then decide to establish your firm as an event specialist.
Where to Work as an Event Specialist
It is predicted that the demand for event specialists is to increase by over 9% in the few years, and as such increasing employment opportunities for individuals who embrace the career of an event specialist. This is so because so many organizations, forms, or industries seeking to expand their brand and reach out to more audiences, and this can be made possible through the services of an event specialist.
Event specialists can work in hotels, event planning firms, marketing companies, conventional centers, and companies that organize meetings with clients and stakeholders often and on. Every organization and company needs the service of an event planner, as they will from time to time, organize events and occasions and would need someone to assist with the planning no matter how small the event is intended to be. An individual can independently request the service of an event specialist. Therefore, as an event specialist, you are not starved of work as your services are always needed. What matters then is your mode of operation and the satisfaction you give to clients or employers.
Event Specialist Salary Scale
It is worth knowing that event specialists are paid well asides from the side income they make independently. But then, there are determining factors to how much you earn as an event specialist. Your level of education and years of experience affects the amount you are paid, the company’s location and your location, the financial strength of the company, and so on.
In the United States, event planners are paid an average of $61,551 annually, and would possibly rise to $79,470. £18,000 to £20,000 is earned by an average event planner in the United Kingdom per year and could rise to an excess of £40,000. An average Nigerian event planner earns about ₦1,500,000 per year and could increase based on experience to ₦5,184,000.