Securing a role as an events manager often involves the challenge of presenting a varied skill set in a concise and compelling curriculum vitae. Our guide offers tailored advice and strategic formatting tips to help you highlight your organisational prowess and event coordination expertise effectively.
- Design and format your professional events manager CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading events manager CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your events manager CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
How to ensure your profile stands out with your events manager CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your events manager CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your events manager CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your events manager CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a events manager CV
- Career Summary showcases your professional journey and highlights expertise in event management, crucial for setting the tone.
- Key Event Achievements section emphasises your success stories, showing your capability to deliver exceptional events.
- Core Event Management Skills outline your relevant abilities, informing recruiters of your specific competencies for the role.
- Relevant Work Experience gives a detailed account of previous roles and responsibilities, demonstrating your industry involvement.
- Education and Qualifications illustrate your foundational knowledge and any specialised training pertinent to the events sector.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your organisational skills by detailing successful events you’ve managed previously, including the types and sizes of events to showcase your versatility and capability in handling various scales and complexities.
- Emphasise your leadership and communication abilities by mentioning teams you’ve led, cross-functional collaboration, and your role in coordinating with vendors, sponsors, and stakeholders to ensure seamless event execution.
- Showcase your problem-solving aptitude and ability to remain composed under pressure by describing scenarios where you successfully navigated unexpected challenges or last-minute changes during events.
- Illustrate your attention to detail by listing key achievements that made your managed events stand out, such as unique themes, attendee satisfaction scores, or innovative use of technology that enhanced the event experience.
- Demonstrate financial acumen by including examples of how you’ve managed budgets effectively, secured sponsorships, or implemented cost-saving strategies without compromising the quality of the event.
Recommended reads:
Making a good first impression with your events manager CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for events manager:
- Events Manager | Corporate Gatherings Specialist | PRINCE2 Certified | 5+ Years of Dynamic Event Planning Experience
- Senior Event Coordinator | Expert in Festival Organisation | BA Event Management | Excellence in Client Service | 10 Years
- Deputy Events Director | MICE Industry Authority | Strategic Event Marketing | CMP Credentials | 8 Years' Leadership
- Lead Event Planner | Crafting Memorable Weddings and Social Functions | Creative Visionary | 6+ Years of Expertise
- Event Operations Manager | Professional Conferences & Trade Shows | Budget Mastery| NEBOSH Certificate | 7 Years
- Junior Event Organiser | Graduate with Distinction in Events Management | Passion for Music & Cultural Events | 2 Years
Opting between a events manager CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your events manager CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a events manager job:
- Seasoned Events Manager with over 10 years of experience in orchestrating high-profile corporate functions and lavish weddings, adept at meticulous planning, budget management, and vendor negotiations. Proudly executed a gala for a Fortune 500 company, achieving a record attendance of 5,000 guests and 98% participant satisfaction rating.
- Dynamic professional with 8 years’ expertise in marketing and a recent shift to events management, bringing forth a robust portfolio of successful product launches and promotional events. Excels in cross-functional team leadership and creative solutions, seeking to leverage audience engagement strategies in large-scale event planning.
- Former Hospitality Manager, with a rich background in hotel operations and customer service excellence, taking a strategic leap into event management. Combines a track record of managing high-end property events with keen insights into logistics coordination and an unwavering commitment to creating unforgettable guest experiences.
- As a fresh entrant to the event management industry, I am eager to apply my extensive background in public relations and a recent diploma in Event Planning. Quick to master new skills and passionate about designing and executing memorable events that exceed expectations.
- Aiming to harness my vibrant enthusiasm and creativity as a novice Event Manager, I am driven by a desire to craft unique and impactful gatherings. With a recently completed Event Management Certification and hands-on internship experience, my objective is to bring fresh ideas and unrelenting energy to a dynamic event team.
Narrating the details of your events manager CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your events manager CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Orchestrated over 30 high-profile corporate events, leading cross-functional teams to deliver each project within strict deadlines and budgets, consistently receiving commendations for efficiency and creativity.
- Conducted comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends, allowing for the incorporation of innovative event concepts that increased client satisfaction by 25%.
- Managed contracts and relationships with over 50 vendors, skillfully negotiating terms to secure quality services while achieving a 15% reduction in costs year-on-year.
- Leveraged advanced knowledge of event technology platforms to streamline event registration and attendee management, enhancing the participant experience and improving data collection processes.
- Developed tailored event themes and coordinated with design teams to ensure a cohesive aesthetic that aligned with client branding and event goals, boosting attendee engagement.
- Implemented a comprehensive risk management plan for each event, minimising potential disruptions and ensuring a quick response to any emergency situations that arose.
- Delivered detailed post-event reports with key performance metrics, utilising feedback to refine future event strategies and maintain a consistent track record of quality improvement.
- Facilitated sponsor partnerships and handled sponsor relations, designing custom sponsorship packages that increased funding by 30% over two years.
- Pioneered the use of sustainable practices for event management, reducing waste by 20% and promoting corporate social responsibility through eco-friendly event solutions.
- Strategically planned and executed over 30 corporate events per year, including annual conferences, with attendee numbers surpassing 2,500, leading to a 30% increase in yearly sponsorships.
- Managed a team of 15 event coordinators and specialists, providing mentorship that resulted in two team members being promoted to senior positions.
- Implemented a new technology stack including event management software and mobile apps to enhance attendee engagement, leading to a 40% increase in participant interaction.
- Directed the successful transition to virtual events during the 2020 global health crisis, which saw a 25% increase in virtual attendance compared to in-person events.
- Negotiated with vendors and venues to reduce overall event costs by 20%, reallocating saved resources to improve event marketing strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate sustainable practices, cutting down waste by 50% for all events and promoting CSR.
- Pioneered the implementation of an annual tech conference that attracted over 1,000 tech professionals and secured keynote speakers from top tech firms like Google and Microsoft.
- Developed and maintained a portfolio of 100+ corporate clients by delivering tailored event experiences, contributing to a yearly 20% business growth.
- Introduced rigorous budget tracking mechanisms that reduced event costs by 15%, thereby increasing the overall profitability of the events department.
- Launched a city-wide music festival that became a recurring annual event, drawing in excess of 10,000 attendees each year and boosting local tourism by 5%.
- Coordinated with multiple stakeholders including city officials, sponsors, and artists to ensure seamless event execution and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Implemented a data-driven strategy to analyze attendee feedback, leading to a sustained improvement in event satisfaction scores by over 35%.
- Led the event planning and management for international trade shows, resulting in a 45% increase in B2B connections made during the events.
- Cultivated relationships with prominent industry leaders, thereby enhancing the company's reputation as a leading event organizer within the sector.
- Oversaw the deployment of RFID technology to streamline attendee tracking and access control, subsequently improving event security and operational efficiency.
- Designed and managed large-scale product launch events for client companies, with products receiving significant media coverage and increased market penetration by 20% post-event.
- Implemented a client-centric event approach which improved client retention rates to 95% over a three-year period.
- Coordinated successful fundraising events that raised over $500,000 for non-profit organizations and charities.
- Spearheaded the planning and execution of bi-annual fashion weeks, resulting in a 60% increase in designer participation and a 75% increase in media coverage.
- Managed a comprehensive rebranding of the event series, aligning it more closely with luxury and lifestyle sectors, and attracting a more affluent demographic.
- Improved operational workflows by 25% by integrating advanced project management tools for real-time collaboration between event teams and stakeholders.
- Engineered a successful series of culinary events that drew top chefs from around the world and increased annual event-related revenue by 40%.
- Negotiated high-profile sponsorship deals with kitchenware and food companies, enhancing the overall quality and reach of the events.
- Introduced interactive culinary workshops as part of the event schedule, which contributed to a 30% increase in attendee engagement scores.
- Orchestrated a well-received series of virtual networking events aimed at professionals in the start-up sector, doubling the online community size within a year.
- Developed and refined a scalable event playbook that reduced average event lead time by three weeks, while maintaining high quality and attendee satisfaction.
- Facilitated a partnership with a tech start-up to utilize AI-driven analytics for measuring event success and attendee engagement, allowing for adaptive event strategies.
- Executed a major reorganization of the annual charity gala, which led to a record-breaking $2 million raised in a single night.
- Leveraged my extensive network of A-list celebrities to grace the gala which greatly amplified its appeal and media attention.
- Implemented a tiered ticketing strategy that improved event accessibility while maximizing fundraising efforts, ultimately broadening the donor base.
How to ensure your events manager CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Key events manager CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your events manager CV:
Event Planning
Vendor Management
Budgeting
Project Management
Marketing
Risk Management
Contract Negotiation
Logistics Coordination
Sponsorship Acquisition
Digital Media Promotion
Communication
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Customer Service
Stress Management
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your events manager CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
What matters most in your events manager CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
