Director of Events: Salary, Job Description, and Requirements

Written by: Wilson College • Sep 20, 2024

An event planner works on a tablet in a room full of balloons.

Director of Events: Salary, Job Description, and Requirements

From intimate weddings with limited guest lists to major conferences with thousands of attendees, events of all sizes require extensive planning and preparation. The people and teams involved in handling the food, seating, entertainment, and other accommodations require careful oversight to ensure the event is a success. A director of events, sometimes referred to as an event director, manages the big picture and ensures the hosts, speakers, presenters, and guests have a positive experience.

A Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies degree is an excellent foundation for those interested in a career as a director of events. The program allows for personalization and encourages students to pursue the knowledge and skills they need to make an impact in the world.

Director of Events Job Description

Directors of events are responsible for organizing and coordinating the successful execution of a number of types of gatherings that can range from industry conventions to community celebrations. They are in charge of the entire production, from logistics to marketing, and must have the right skills and knowledge to be effective.

Although their specific job duties may vary from one event type to another, most directors of events perform the following tasks regularly:

Communicating with the hosts about the nature of the event, ensuring the finished production is aligned with their preferences
Negotiating contracts with external parties, such as caterers, decorators, hotels, speakers, cleaning companies, and presenters, who all play a role in the event’s success
Ensuring the event stays within the host’s desired budget while maximizing returns
Planning for and overseeing the event’s marketing strategy
Managing the on-site logistics, ensuring each team has the time and resources required to execute their part of the event
Overseeing the setup and teardown of an event
Communicating with stakeholders to ensure their goals are met
Working with community leaders to ensure there is ongoing support for repeat events
Developing risk management plans that anticipate potential issues, such as inclement weather or health and safety concerns

Where Do Directors of Events Work?

Most directors of events work for event planning firms or large corporations, though some work for schools, religious organizations, or government agencies. Some also work for themselves. While they often have a central office, their dynamic career requires them to spend part of their time at event sites. Due to the inherently social nature of the role, directors of events may be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays depending on the scope of the events they work on.

Director of Events Education, Experience, and Skills

Though their specific degree and previous experience may vary, all successful directors of events must have the right foundation to thrive in this role. Some employers prefer candidates who have optional credentials that demonstrate their proficiency in directing events.

Education

Directors of events typically have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as hospitality, event management, business administration, or liberal studies. Courses in project management, marketing, finance, communication, and leadership offer exceptional training and preparation for a career as a director of events.

Experience

Organizations generally look for director of events candidates with three or more years of management or supervisory experience. Depending on the scope and nature of their particular event, some hosts may also require a director of events to have a few years of experience in a specific area, such as sports, audio and visual presentation, nonprofit organizations, or current events.

Key Skills

Directors of events need a broad range of skills to meet and exceed their clients’ or employers’ goals. Although some event directors choose to specialize in a field like music concerts, religious conferences, or sporting events, each of which requires a unique set of skills, key skills across all roles include the following:

Strategic Planning: Directors of events need to understand their clients’ or employers’ broad goals and be able to plan events accordingly to ensure that the events adequately represent the brand or the client. Strategic planning skills are needed in areas such as forecasting, following industry trends, allocating resources, and being agile.
Communication and Negotiation: Successful directors of events are adept at communication and negotiation, which allows them to build a network of competent and reliable vendors, speakers, performers, and others who are ultimately responsible for an event’s success.
Budgeting and Forecasting: Ensuring that an event takes place within a set budget requires the ability to effectively predict costs and allocate resources. Directors of events must be skilled at maximizing their clients’ or employers’ budgets, which facilitates their financial success.
Event Design: Event directors must have the ability to transform an ordinary venue, such as a stadium or conference center, into an environment that resonates with the intended audience through themes, colors, and objects.
Audience Engagement: An engaged audience is central to the success of any event. Directors of events must be able to develop experiences that captivate attendees and keep them excited for the duration of the event.
Risk Management: Potential risks to having a successful event include severe weather, issues with vendors, or hardware or software failure. Successful directors of events anticipate these issues and develop contingency plans.
Problem-Solving: Directing a successful event involves overseeing and managing numerous committees, individuals, tasks, and vendors, which can present numerous challenges. Problem-solving skills are essential for overcoming logistical challenges through adaptation.

Credentials

No licensure or certification is required to work as a director of events, but gaining certain credentials demonstrates competency and experience to employers or potential clients. The most popular credentials for directors of events include the following:

Master Project Manager: The master project manager (MPM) credential offered by the American Academy of Project Management requires three years of project management experience, and candidates must pass a free project management exam.
Certified Special Events Professional: The certified special events professional (CSEP) designation is offered by the International Live Events Association (ILEA) and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional professionalism in event directing.

Director of Events Salary and Job Outlook

As of August 2024, the median director of events salary was about $79,900 per year, according to Payscale, with the highest-paid 10% earning up to about $125,000 annually. An individual event director’s salary is based on their experience, their employment type, and their reputation. Some of these professionals have the potential to earn bonuses and commissions on top of their salaries.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of meeting, convention, and event planners will grow 8% between 2022 and 2032 as the demand for professionally planned events such as concerts, plays, weddings, conventions, and sporting events increases.

Prepare for a Creative Career as a Director of Events With a Liberal Studies Degree

Directors of events oversee every aspect of planned events, ensuring the logistics, funding, and marketing come together to deliver an engaging experience for attendees. The role is ideal for anyone who enjoys planning and coordinating in a fast-paced, often challenging environment.

Earning your Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Wilson College Online can prepare you to become a successful director of events. Our program helps students develop the diverse skills they need to make meaningful contributions in any of a number of niches and industries while opening the door to future graduate study.

Flexibility is one of the most rewarding benefits of a liberal studies degree , as it gives students the opportunity to customize their learning experience. Courses focused on leadership, philosophy, communication, and developing the human community give students the foundation they need to work in the competitive event planning field.

Explore your interests as you build your own degree with Wilson College Online.

Recommended Readings

4 Types of Leadership Styles Every Manager Should Know

Digital Humanities: Definition and Overview

Management vs. Leadership: Similarities and Differences

Sources:

American Academy of Project Management, Chartered Certified Project Manager Certifications

Climb, “What Does a Director of Events Do?”

Glassdoor, What Does an Event Director Do?

Indeed, Director of Events Jobs

Indeed, “Useful and Desirable Event Director Skills for Success”

International Live Events Association, Certified Special Events Professional