Audio Engineer

Overview

This section of The Power of Events platform has been designed to showcase the depth and range of career opportunities available across the seven sectors that make up the UK Events Industry. Whether you’re looking to start your career, change roles, or explore how your current skills from another industry can transfer into events, the Careers Hub is here to support you. It’s packed with insight, guidance, and links to further information from across the four nations of the UK. We recognise and respect the differences in education systems, cultures, and career journeys across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales and this hub aims to showcase the UK Events Industry’s diverse and inclusive offerings and opportunities for people of all backgrounds, interests, and experiences, wherever you’re starting from and wherever you’re based.

The hub includes an overview of the five main routes into the industry, a glossary showcasing the wide range of roles available, and links to key support organisations who have helped shape the content and continue to offer expert advice and guidance.

This work has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our many supporters, with special thanks to our lead recruitment partners. The ongoing feedback we receive from across all parts of the UK helps us continually improve and evolve the Careers Hub to better serve everyone interested in joining or growing within this dynamic industry.

Job Roles

• Audio Engineer — Designs, mixes, and manages complex sound systems and recordings, applying technical and creative expertise to achieve high-quality audio experiences for events

“The Making of Live Events” is a groundbreaking video produced by The Power of Events supporter Adlib, showcasing the incredible variety of careers within the live music sector and the wider UK Events Industry. Developed in collaboration with Production Futures, PLASA, and LIVE, the project recognises the importance of inspiring the next generation with real, relatable career stories from behind the scenes. Our goal is to ensure that every young person has the chance to discover the diverse and often invisible roles that power live events. So whether you’re an educator, a careers advisor, or a student yourself, this is your opportunity to experience the events industry from the inside and see how your passions could turn into a career.

A freelancer is an independent contractor who operates as a sole trader or limited company. Freelancers have to register with HMRC, invoice clients for their time and have their own insurances such as Professional Indemnity and/or Public Liability. Although they don’t have rights to contractual sick pay or leave, they still have legal rights at work including Health & Safety, discrimination and legal protection subject to contract.

Full-time

Full-time positions are typically advertised as 35-40 hours per week on a permanent or fixed-term basis. Depending on the specific role, a full-time employee is often required to work additional hours to ensure deadlines are met and delivery is smooth. A full-time position (post probation) would usually include an employer pension contribution, sick pay, annual/maternity/paternity leave and may be accompanied by a performance-related bonus, as well as additional benefits. There may also be the offer of hybrid or fully remote working arrangements.

Part-time

A part-time employee is defined by completing the same type of work as a full-time colleague but over fewer hours/days. The tasks associated with the role, as well as the employee’s rights, are the same as a full-time colleague. It will also follow the same salary scale but will be paid at a pro rata rate.

A zero-hours contract means availability to work for an employer, but these specific hours of work are not stated in the employment contract. This type of contract doesn’t guarantee the employee a set number of hours of work per week; however, it can require them to be available for a certain number of hours, or when required, or both.