For those who are good at event organization and execution, the event planning industry is a lucrative career path. To make sure everything runs smoothly when preparing an event, everyone involved needs to do their job right. There are a couple of important roles within the industry that, although they might sound similar, have different skill sets and responsibilities involved.
As a result, popular roles like Event Director and Event Manager might be mistaken for the same position. However, in this article, we will present the similarities and differences in these two event management roles. That way, you will have a better idea of which career to choose, whether you’re a seasoned professional or you’re just starting out.
What Is the Difference Between Event Director and Event Manager?
One of the main differences between Event Directors and Event Managers lies in the scope of responsibilities. While Event Directors are expected to interact directly with the client, making sure their demands are met, Event Managers usually work behind the scenes. They are expected to coordinate with vendors, suppliers and staff to make sure everything’s ready for the main event.
Given that Event Directors have more authority, they can decide to change the venue or cancel the event, while Event Managers can only make decisions on a smaller scale. These can be simple things such as changing seating arrangements, parking logistics or delivery times.
While both roles are indispensable for the success of the event, Event Managers are in charge of handling day-to-day tasks, while Event Directors oversee the entire operation on a bigger scale. Their main job is to ensure everything is in order from start to finish.
What Does an Event Director Do?
Event Directors work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. They are tasked with solving major problems, such as budget overruns and client complaints. As such, their working hours are oftentimes unpredictable, especially during those couple of days before the event takes place.
Event Directors also supervise other departments to ensure everything is taken care of on time. They might also conduct ROI analysis and satisfaction surveys after the event. That way, they are able to pinpoint specific areas that need improvement for the following event.
What Does an Event Manager Do?
In the hospitality industry, tasks are assigned based on the number and ability of trained staff as well as the size of the event. As a result, Even Managers can work on various tasks outside of their scope, such as handling technical questions or welcoming VIP guests.
However, for the most part, Event Managers are tasked with finding the right venues, hiring the staff and managing vendors accordingly. They are also supposed to manage other teams and keep everyone in the loop. Being a senior role, Event Managers are expected to come up with the entire concept behind the event.
Pros and Cons of Event Director
Event Directors hold more authority over the event. This is great for individuals who are looking to advance in their careers and handle more responsibilities. In this role, you can get valuable experience in leading a team and overseeing a project from top to bottom. The working environment is usually quite exciting and dynamic, and as such, it can provide opportunities to network with high-stakes clients.
However, being an Event Director also comes with long working hours. On top of that, there’s significant pressure from the client to make sure everything is perfectly organized. Given that there are so many people involved in planning an event, Event Directors might not always be able to deliver the project according to their clients’ expectations, which can cause frustration for both sides.
Pros and Cons of Event Manager
Event Managers can work in different industries and, therefore, learn how to thrive in all work environments. Becoming an Event Manager can help you improve your organization, planning, and customer service skills, leading to a promotion within the team. This also involves building strong relations with clients and networking.
On the other hand, Event Managers are often under a lot of stress. Their working hours are typically highly irregular, and they always need to be prepared to make last-minute changes. This job also involves being in good physical shape as they are often required to lift and carry heavy items on-site, even though it’s not in their job description.
How Much Do Event Directors and Event Managers Earn?
Salaries of Event Directors and Event Managers can vary from state to state, depending on the experience and type of institution hiring. However, based on our salary estimate methodology, we have concluded that:
- The median pay for an Event Director is $87,343 per year
- The median pay for Event Manager is $78,729 per year
Some of the best-paying states for careers in event management include California, Florida and New York. Considering these are some of the most lively and prosperous states in the country, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the event industry is thriving.
Similar Roles to Event Director and Event Manager
The responsibilities of an Event Director can sometimes overlap with those of other roles such as Event Program Director, Senior Event Manager, or even Director of Corporate Events.
Similarly, seasoned Event Managers can sometimes take on the job-related tasks of Event Coordinators, Event Planners or Event Administrators.
What Is the Highest Position in Event Management?
The Vice President of Events is the person in charge of the overall vision of the event. This type of profile is typically not found in low-scale events — however, they are usually in charge of big conferences, community events or corporate gatherings.
They regularly communicate with Event Directors but remain in charge. They get to establish policies and procedures that the rest of the team should follow. This role also requires the person to be a visionary as they ought to follow the trends in the market and come up with innovative ideas that can be successfully executed.
The only other role with similar responsibilities to the Vice President of Events is the Chief Event Officer. Similar to a Chief Executive Officer or a Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Event Officer is responsible for managing the entire event team. They’re not as hands-on as Event Managers, but they’re more worried about the impact of their events and how the company is perceived.
Chief Event Officers are typically only found in large event management companies, where they might attend committee and shareholder meetings, develop marketing strategies for the company and help raise brand awareness through the company’s events.
