Catering Manager

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.

Our goal? 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.

• Budgeting: An account executive/manager/director is responsible for managing the relationship between a client/brand and the agency. They support their client by planning events that align with the client/brand business objectives. This might include building brand awareness using events. They act as the dedicated point of contact for the client.
• Artistes / Performer Management: Responsible for managing the artistes involved in the event. This would include advising on contract negotiations with promoters, negotiating gig and contract agreements, and protecting artistes' rights and brand. Scheduling tours and shows would also feature.
• Business Development Executive / Manager / Director: A Business Development executive/manager/director is responsible for the sourcing and winning of new clients and business pitches.
• Catering Manager: Catering managers oversee kitchen and wait staff. They work with clients to plan food and beverage menus and ensure client satisfaction. A catering manager also coordinates food preparation, creates schedules for staff, and arranges menu tastings.
• Communications / PR Manager / Assistant / Director: Communications assistants handle a variety of operational tasks to maintain the external image of their organization. They create and publish content, manage social media accounts, interview stakeholders, and gather and analyze data. Communications assistants may also help with office functions, such as preparing meetings, answering calls, and preparing materials for events.
• Freelancer: 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. Dependent 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 employees' 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.