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Event Planner Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

An Event Planner, or an Event Manager, is responsible for planning and organizing conferences, trade shows, seminars, festivals, exhibits, meetings, conventions, and other events. Their duties include choosing vendors and entertainment for events, letting people know about upcoming events through invitations, flyers, or social media, and making sure that attendees enjoy themselves.

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Event Planner duties and responsibilities

Event Planners plan and manage events with a range of sizes and purposes. They make sure that guests are pleased and everything runs smoothly without exceeding their clients’ budgets. Duties and responsibilities in an Event Planner job description may include:

  • Establishing relationships with event venues and vendors
  • Working with a printer to send invitations to guests
  • Reserving event space for the date the client requests
  • Hiring waiters, waitresses, valets, and other staff when needed
  • Making on-time, accurate payments to vendors
  • Managing ticket sales and running contests for large events
  • Communicating with clients during every step of the process
  • Calculating billing amounts and giving customers accurate estimates of event costs
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Event Planner Job Description Examples:

What does an Event Planner do?

Event Planners work for individuals, tourist organizations, professional associations, governments, and conference or convention centers. Some work for one company and others are self-employed. They negotiate prices with other vendors for clients, and they can help many different businesses work together to create an amazing event. An Event Planner lets the people hosting an event celebrate and have fun with guests instead of worrying about details. These professionals can also help people and organizations control costs and stay within budgets when hosting large events.

Event Planner skills and qualifications

Successful Event Planners usually have outstanding organizational skills and can work with a variety of different people and personalities. They are professional, adapt quickly to changing conditions, and put together an exciting, popular event. Top skills and qualifications for Event Planners include:

  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong management and organizational skills
  • Ability to negotiate with vendors
  • Understanding of the industry they work in and what clients usually prefer for events
  • Ability to manage a budget
  • Understanding of social media and other skills used to send invitations and promote events
  • Knowledge of event performance monitoring methods and the ability to create reports that guide future event planning

Event Planner experience requirements

Entry-level Event Planners should have two to five years of experience working as an Event Coordinator. Many Event Planner jobs require several years of management, hospitality and tourism, or public relations experience. However, some positions are available for people with one or two years of experience. Considering candidates from related fields can help your business expand its hiring options.

Event Planner education and training requirements

Many Event Planner positions require a bachelor’s degree in business, tourism, or hospitality administration. For less senior positions, you can accept candidates with an associate’s degree or an equivalent amount of experience and a high school diploma. In some provinces, Event Planners need additional certification from the government.

Event Planner salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, on average, an Event Planner in Canada can earn $47,615 per year. Salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, education, and the size of the hiring company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If an Event Planner isn’t exactly what your company is looking for, other job description samples include:

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Event Planner job description FAQs

What is a typical day like for an Event Planner?

Event Planners spend some days meeting with event committees, sponsors, or individual clients in person. They also communicate through emails, video calls, and phone calls and visit event spaces and vendors like Caterers. During events, they visit venues to check preparations and supervise setup. Event Planners often attend events as well.

Who does an Event Planner report to?

An Event Planner often reports to a Director of Events or the head of the marketing or public relations department. They may report to the owner of a company or a General Manager in smaller organizations. Some are self-employed, and they may have Event Coordinators who work as their assistants.

How is an Event Planner different from an Event Coordinator?

An Event Planner makes decisions to fit the client’s taste before the event, offering recommendations for a venue, entertainment, catering, and other services. Event Planners also suggest event themes and décor, and make sure all the details of an event work together to please guests. Event Coordinators support Event Planners by making arrangements based on their outline for the event. They contact vendors, order supplies, and supervise preparations on the behalf of the Event Planner.

What makes a good Event Planner job description?

An effective Event Planner job description should include an overview of the business’s history, culture, and values. It should explain the types of clients and events that the Event Planner will be dealing with. It should also outline any specific requirements for experience with certain types of event, such as organizing festivals.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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