Catering Manager — Menu & Staff Leadership

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.
• Artistes / Performer Management: Responsible for managing the artistes involved in the event. This would include advising on contract negotiations with promoters, negotiate gig and contract agreements and protecting artistes rights and brand.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Part-time: A part-time employee is defined by completing the same type of work as a full-time colleague but over less hours/days. The tasks associated with the role, as well as the employees rights, are the same as a full-time colleague.