Special Events Manager Resume Guide

Special Events Managers coordinate and organize events for their clients. They are responsible for creating budgets, finding venues, hiring vendors, arranging catering services and managing the event onsite. Additionally they manage communication with stakeholders to ensure a successful event that meets all expectations.

You know how to take any event from ordinary to extraordinary. But potential employers won’t be aware of your talents until they read your resume, so you must write a document that stands out and captures their attention.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Special Events Manager Resume Sample

Erna DuBuque
Special Events Manager

[email protected]
295-963-8427
linkedin.com/in/erna-dubuque

Summary

Energetic special events manager with 8+ years of experience in coordinating and executing corporate, private, and public events. Proven track record of successful event planning, budgeting, marketing strategies implementation and staff management. At ABC Corporation was responsible for the logistics of a high-profile annual conference attended by over 5000 people with an on-time delivery rate above 97%. Committed to delivering outstanding experiences that exceed expectations while minimizing costs within allotted budgets.

Experience

Special Events Manager, Employer A
Aurora, Jan 2018 – Present

Accurately structured, planned and managed 10+ special events each quarter; reduced overall planning time by 25%.
Assessed customer requirements for catering services, decoration needs and other specified details to ensure successful event execution every time.
Presented detailed proposals to clients outlining the estimated cost of their desired affair as well as recommended alternatives within budget constraints; closed 20+ deals worth a total of $100K in new business over 6 months.
Supervised vendors during setup, teardown and throughout an event’s duration while proactively resolving any arising issues or conflicts between staff members to guarantee smooth operations at all times.
Monitored post-event feedback from guests & team members regarding satisfaction levels with food quality & presentation, decorations and overall experience; implemented improvements based on recommendations which resulted in +10% positive reviews from customers over the last year.

Special Events Manager, Employer B
Denver, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Revised and improved special event plans, increasing the success rate of all events by 15% and reducing overhead costs by $2,500.
Utilized customer feedback to develop new strategies for promoting events that resulted in an attendance increase of over 100 people per event.
Expedited special event timelines from 6 months to 4 weeks while still ensuring quality standards were met or exceeded; saved an average of 20 hours per project on setup and preparation time.
Demonstrated exceptional organizational skills when coordinating vendors, caterers, staff members and volunteers for 10+ high-profile corporate functions annually with a budget up to $50K each time; successfully kept projects within allocated budget limits every time without compromising quality & aesthetics goals.
Reliably managed large scale fundraisers such as charity dinners & silent auctions with ease; raised over $40K in donations at one particular fundraiser alone due to meticulous attention to detail during planning stages.

Skills

Event Management
Social Media Marketing
Fundraising
Social Networking
Nonprofits
Volunteer Management
Hospitality
Marketing Communications
Time Management

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Event Management
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
International Live Events
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary/objective for a special events manager should provide the hiring manager with an overview of your qualifications and experience. You could mention how many years you have been in the industry, any awards or recognition you have received, and what sets you apart from other event managers. Additionally, it is important to highlight any relevant technical skills such as budgeting software proficiency or knowledge of social media platforms used to promote events.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Professional special events manager with over 5 years of experience planning and executing high-profile corporate, social and entertainment events. Proven success in managing teams up to 20 people while staying within budget constraints. Skilled at developing creative solutions to meet the needs of clients from concept through completion. Seeking a position as Special Events Manager for ABC Company where I can utilize my skillset to create memorable experiences for their guests.

Passionate and experienced special events manager with 7+ years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing corporate functions. Proven track record for creating successful high-profile fundraising campaigns that generated over $2M in donations. Skilled at working with clients to develop customized event plans that meet their budget requirements while achieving desired objectives. Highly organized individual who excels at multitasking in a fast-paced environment.

Talented special events manager with 5+ years of experience in the organization and delivery of large-scale corporate events. Achieved a 98% customer satisfaction rate at XYZ while managing more than 100 projects simultaneously. Ability to collaborate across teams, identify areas for improvement, deliver cost savings initiatives, and lead successful event launches. Recognized for ability to create an engaging atmosphere that encourages attendance growth year over year.

Detail-oriented Special Events Manager with 5+ years of experience managing, organizing and executing large-scale corporate events. Proven track record in coordinating all facets of event planning from budgeting to logistics and marketing initiatives. Skilled at developing creative strategies for raising brand awareness as well as maintaining high customer satisfaction levels. Looking to join ABC Company to create memorable experiences that drive business success.

Skilled and creative special events manager with 10+ years of experience planning, organizing, promoting, and executing successful corporate functions. Proven track record for delivering high-profile events on time and within budget. Possesses a deep understanding of the latest trends in event management to create memorable experiences that exceed customer expectations. Seeking an opportunity at ABC Events to grow professionally while contributing to its success.

Accomplished special events manager with 8+ years of experience planning and executing successful corporate, private, and public celebrations. Proven track record of developing creative concepts for large-scale occasions that meet budget parameters while still exceeding guest expectations. Seeking to join ABC Events as the new lead event planner in order to bring high-quality memorable experiences to clients around the world.

Diligent special events manager with 8+ years of experience planning and executing large-scale corporate and charitable events. Skilled in leading teams, organizing budgets, creating event timelines, managing vendors, and driving customer satisfaction. At XYZ Corporation successfully organized 10 successful gala dinners for the company’s top clients over a two year period which resulted in an increase of sales by 20%.

Hard-working and detail-oriented special events manager with 5+ years of experience in organizing, planning, and executing large scale events. Successfully managed up to 100 people at a time while maintaining on-time event delivery. Seeking to join ABC Events as the next Special Events Manager to bring creative ideas and an experienced approach for producing memorable experiences that exceed customer expectations.

2. Experience / Employment

The work history/experience section is where you provide details on your employment history. It should be written in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first.

Stick to bullet points when writing this section; it will make it easier for the reader to digest what you have to say quickly and efficiently. When discussing what you did, try to include quantifiable results that demonstrate how successful your efforts were.

For example, instead of saying “Organized events,” you could say “Successfully organized 10+ corporate events per year with an average attendance rate of 200 people.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Mentored a team of 8 event coordinators in successfully executing 10+ high-profile corporate events across the year, resulting in an increase of client satisfaction by 25%.
Represented company at trade shows and conferences to promote services; developed relationships with over 30 potential clients and closed 4 lucrative deals worth $50,000.
Prepared detailed budgets for each event based on venue requirements, catering needs & entertainment costs; achieved cost savings up to 15% without compromising quality or service standards.
Facilitated all aspects from planning through execution of special occasions such as weddings and birthdays; ensured seamless coordination between vendors while providing top-notch customer service at every stage.
Competently handled pre/post-event tasks including vendor selection & management, registration processes, decorations setup/take down and other logistical operations within expected timelines and budget constraints.

Coordinated and managed the successful execution of 25+ special events and corporate functions, from concept to completion; saved up to $4,000 in event costs.
Introduced innovative ideas for catering services, entertainment options and venues that helped increase attendance at events by 35%.
Compiled comprehensive estimates on venue rental fees, staff salaries and other operational expenses; reduced unexpected costs by 20% during budgeting process.
Advised clients on developing suitable themes for their unique occasions based on cultural backgrounds or religious beliefs; facilitated smooth operations for all attendees with relevant expertise and knowledge about various customs & cultures.
Effectively communicated with vendors such as caterers, photographers or disc jockeys to ensure timely delivery of products/services before each event took place; improved customer satisfaction rate by 10%.

Spearheaded the planning, organization and execution of over 80 special events annually with a budget up to $300K; reduced event costs by 15% on average.
Reorganized the entire event management process from start to finish, allowing for better control of deadlines and more efficient use of resources.
Independently managed all aspects of logistics including venue selection, catering services and entertainment contracts while meeting client expectations consistently within time constraints.
Optimized marketing campaigns across various channels in order to promote upcoming events; increased attendance rates by 25%.
Improved customer service experiences through timely problem solving during events; achieved 100% positive feedback ratings overall from attendees surveyed afterwards.

Diligently managed and coordinated over 200 special events, including conferences, trade shows, product launches and corporate retreats with up to 500 attendees; reduced event costs by 15% year-on-year.
Streamlined operations for the planning process of each event from start to finish in order to meet tight deadlines and budget constraints; completed projects an average 4 weeks ahead of schedule.
Developed creative concepts for various types of functions such as workshops, seminars & award ceremonies that achieved excellent attendance rates (90+%).
Formulated promotional campaigns through social media channels which resulted in a 20% increase in ticket sales per month compared to previous years.
Participated actively on committees related to the organization’s upcoming events while providing feedback regarding improvements or changes needed throughout the entire duration of preparations.

3. Skills

Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may be looking for someone with a background in organizing large-scale events, while Organization XYZ may want an individual who is experienced in planning corporate meetings.

It’s important to tailor the skills section of your resume according to each job you are applying for because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days. These computer programs scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to human recruiters and hiring managers.

In addition to listing relevant skills here, you should also discuss them further in other sections such as the summary or experience section.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Advertising
Blogging
Catering
Corporate Events
Editing
Email Marketing
Entertainment
Event Management
Facebook
Food and Beverage
Fundraising
Grant Writing
Hospitality
Hospitality Industry
Hospitality Management
Hotels
Marketing Communications
Media Relations
Meeting Planning
Newsletters
Nonprofits
Press Releases
Program Development
Program Management
Restaurants
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking
Special Events
Sponsorship
Teamwork
Time Management
Trade Shows
Volunteer Management

4. Education

Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you recently graduated and don’t have much experience, mention it below your resume objective. On the other hand, if you’ve been working as a special events manager for years and have plenty of experiences to showcase, omitting an education section is perfectly fine.

If including an education section is necessary, try to mention courses or subjects related to the position of special events manager that you studied during school.

Bachelor of Arts in Event Management
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a certain field. They show potential employers that you have the skills necessary for the job, as well as having taken steps to stay up-to-date with industry trends.

If you have any certifications relevant to the position, make sure they are included on your resume so that hiring managers can see how qualified you are for the role.

Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
International Live Events
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Erna DuBuque, this would be Erna-DuBuque-resume.pdf or Erna-DuBuque-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is an important part of the job application process. It should include 2 to 4 paragraphs and provide more detail than what can be found in your resume alone.

Cover letters allow you to show employers why you are a great fit for their role, as well as demonstrate your enthusiasm for it. They also give recruiters insight into who you are as a person, allowing them to get an idea of how well you would fit into their team or organization.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Alanis,

I am writing to apply for the Special Events Manager position at XYZ Corporation. With more than seven years of experience planning and executing successful special events, I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to your team.

In my current role as Special Events Manager at ABC Company, I manage all aspects of corporate event planning, from budgeting and vendor selection to on-site coordination and post-event follow up. I have successfully planned and executed more than 100 events, including large conferences, galas, holiday parties, and product launches. My ability to think outside the box has allowed me to create unique events that exceed expectations while staying within budget. In addition, my strong interpersonal skills have helped me build relationships with clients, vendors, and employees that last long after the event is over.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my knowledge and expertise to XYZ Corporation and would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Erna