What Does a Event Planner / Coordinator Actually Do?
An Event Planner organises everything from corporate conferences and product launches to weddings and charity galas. A typical week involves briefing vendors, negotiating venue contracts, building run-of-show documents, and managing budgets that can range from £5,000 to £500,000. You'll report to a Head of Events, Marketing Director, or directly to a client if you're agency-side. Industries that hire heavily include hospitality, PR and marketing agencies, financial services, and universities.
Rebecca Cole
Event Coordinator
📍 London, UK✉️ rebecca.cole@email.com
Summary
Dynamic Event Coordinator with 6 years of experience planning corporate events and live entertainment. Skilled at managing complex logistics, vendor negotiations, and delivering memorable experiences on budget.
Work Experience
Senior Event Coordinator at EventbriteMar 2021 — Present
Planned and executed 50+ corporate events annually with budgets ranging from £10K to £500K
Managed vendor relationships with 30+ suppliers negotiating 15% average cost savings
Event Coordinator at Live NationJul 2018 — Feb 2021
Supported production of 20+ live music events with audiences of 5,000 to 20,000
Managed on-site operations including artist liaison, crowd management, and emergency procedures
Event Planner CVs need to demonstrate project management skills, budget discipline, and the ability to handle pressure. Show event scale, variety, and satisfaction metrics.
Key Skills to Include
Event management, vendor coordination, budget management, logistics, marketing and promotion, client relations, risk assessment, and on-site management.
Common Mistakes
Describing events without scale. "Planned corporate events" is vague. Include attendee numbers, budgets, and satisfaction ratings.
Formatting Tips
One to two pages. Use a modern template. Consider a Notable Events section highlighting your most impressive productions.
Average Salary — Event Planner / Coordinator
United States
$48,000 – $75,000
United Kingdom
$30,000 – $48,000
Germany
$35,000 – $52,000
UAE / Dubai
$42,000 – $65,000
Canada
$42,000 – $62,000
Australia
$50,000 – $72,000
Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.
Top 5 Interview Questions — Event Planner / Coordinator
1Tell me about the largest event you have managed end to end.
Lead with the numbers — attendee count, budget, team size. Then walk through your process from brief to debrief. Interviewers want to see you can handle complexity and stay calm under pressure.
2How do you handle a supplier who cancels 48 hours before an event?
Show your contingency mindset. Talk through your supplier backup list, escalation process, and how you'd communicate transparently with the client without causing panic.
3What tools do you use to manage event logistics and timelines?
Name specifics: Cvent, Eventbrite, Asana, Monday.com, or even detailed Excel trackers. Mention how you use them to keep stakeholders aligned across multiple workstreams.
4How do you manage a tight budget without compromising the guest experience?
Give a real example where you negotiated a better rate, found a creative alternative, or prioritised spend on high-visibility elements. Show commercial awareness.
5Describe a time you dealt with a difficult client or stakeholder during event planning.
Focus on communication and expectation management. Show you can hold your professional ground while keeping the relationship intact.
How to Tailor Your CV
IMG Events, Sodexo Live, and CWT Meetings & Events hire planners with experience managing complex logistics and large vendor rosters. Corporate in-house roles at firms like HSBC or Deloitte want polished stakeholder management and budget control. For venues like Marriott or Hilton, highlight your catering coordination and AV experience specifically.