51 Job Titles for Event Planners

If you enjoy event planning and have an interest in hosting and organizing events for others, then a career as an event planner may be ideal. Because event planners can work in different industries, job seekers can usually find an event planning job based on their unique interests. If you're looking for an event planning position, it's important to know the different job titles for event planners, so your search is effective in helping you find something new.

In this article, we explain what an event planner is and provide a list of event planner titles, organized by experience and national average salary.

What is an event planner?

An event planner is a professional who contributes to the success of an event. Event planners work across a variety of industries and may have many types of clients. Event planners may need to perform tasks like coordinate vendors, secure locations, plan for the logistics of an event, create a timeline of important event details and adhere to a budget. Event planners must be organized, have a high attention to detail, possess creative problem-solving abilities and be able to multitask, among other skills.

Event coordinator titles

Some event planner positions do not require any experience. Here are some event planner job titles for coordinators and other entry-level positions:

1. Party host

National average salary: $25,100 per year

Primary duties: A party host is responsible for hosting a planned party, which may be for a birthday, anniversary or baby shower. They may serve food and drinks to guests, set up the party, secure vendors and clean up after the party is over.

2. Site coordinator

National average salary: $38,047 per year

Primary duties: A site coordinator is responsible for conceptualizing events, hiring and training staff to work the event and setting up and breaking down the event. They delegate day-of tasks and meet the needs of their clients.

3. Event coordinator

National average salary: $47,734 per year

Primary duties: An event coordinator is responsible for assisting an event planner or event manager with the planning and organization of an event. They meet with clients to assess their needs, look for locations, hire vendors and train staff. Event coordinators may also handle billing and invoicing.

Event management titles

These event planner positions usually require some experience, a bachelor's degree or have added responsibilities beyond planning the event itself:

1. Manager of volunteer services

National average salary: $34,600 per year

Primary duties: A manager of volunteer services is responsible for hiring, training and assigning responsibilities to a staff of volunteers. They may delegate responsibilities to volunteers, including as needed for a major event.

2. Event specialist

National average salary: $35,522 per year

Primary duties: An event specialist is responsible for planning, organizing and working an event to meet clients' needs. They also work with the marketing team to engage a target audience for an event, plan advertisements, sell tickets and otherwise market the event to make sure it's successful.

3. Venue manager

National average salary: $37,704 per year

Primary duties: A venue manager is responsible for working with clients and event planners to coordinate events taking place at their venue, which may be at a conference hall, ballroom, hotel space or theater. They ensure that all individuals who are part of the event and the planning process utilize the space correctly and clean up after the event. Venue managers may also advertise their space, maintain relationships with ongoing clients and connect with sales leads.

4. Social media manager

National average salary: $44,753 per year

Primary duties: A social media manager is responsible for representing a company or brand on various social media networks. They may engage with the audience, create campaigns and advertisements, gather analytics and promote the brand's products and services. A social media manager may also host a virtual event on one of the brand's social media channels and promote the event to secure attendees.

Read more: Learn About Being a Social Media Manager

5. Special events manager

National average salary: $45,812 per year

Primary duties: A special events manager is responsible for executing a successful special event for an organization. They secure interest in the event, identify the intended audience, create marketing materials to promote the event and adhere to a budget. Special events managers may interview and hire temporary staff for the event and work with internal departments as needed.

6. Community manager

National average salary: $49,814 per year

Primary duties: A community manager is responsible for connecting a brand with members of a community or group. They host events to increase brand awareness and loyalty, or they may represent their company at an event. Community managers work with other departments, like those in communications, marketing and advertising, to spread the message about the event to certain groups.

Read more: Learn About Being a Community Manager

7. Hospitality manager

National average salary: $50,042 per year

Primary duties: A hospitality manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of a hotel, restaurant or other popular locations for tourists and other visitors. They hire staff members, implement programs and procedures that keep guests happy and work with guests who want to host events. Hospitality managers discuss event options with guests, secure contracts, upsell additional event options, discuss timelines and adhere to a budget.

8. Event planner

National average salary: $50,731 per year

Primary duties: An event planner is responsible for choosing a location for the event, researching and hiring vendors, completing contracts, securing bids and managing budgets for an event. Event planners may be self-employed, work for an event planning company or work for a company, like a hotel, that provides event space and event planning services to clients and guests.

Read more: Learn About Being an Event Planner

9. Wedding planner

National average salary: $51,500 per year

Primary duties: A wedding planner is responsible for assisting engaged couples with planning their wedding. This typically includes the wedding ceremony and reception. Wedding planners meet with clients, review and negotiate vendor contracts, create a timeline, complete their work within budget and organize the day-of needs for the bride and groom and their guests.

Read more: Learn About Being a Wedding Planner

10. Event manager

National average salary: $52,134 per year

Primary duties: An event manager is responsible for planning and organizing events and coordinating with their clients on their needs. They usually manage a team of event planners and coordinators by delegating tasks as needed. Event managers also make sure that clients sign their contracts and make their payments according to the payment agreement. They may also negotiate pricing and included services.

11. Resort manager

National average salary: $52,150 per year

Primary duties: A resort manager is responsible for working at a resort and organizing events for guests and visitors. They meet with guests who want to host an event at their resort, establish the staff schedules to meet demands of the event, partner with other vendors and oversee the day-of event details. Resort managers may also create a monthly calendar of events that the resort hosts for its guests.

12. Fundraising manager

National average salary: $52,967 per year

Primary duties: A fundraising manager is responsible for securing funds for the organization they work for, which is typically a nonprofit charity. They may host events to showcase their organization's efforts and solicit donations from individuals, groups and other businesses.

Specialized positions in event planning

These positions in event planning focus more on unique events or special meetings. While some positions require a bachelor's degree or higher, others may only require a certain amount or kind of experience. Here are some specialized positions in event planning to consider:

1. Activities director

National average salary: $45,330 per year

Primary duties: An activities director is responsible for creating and organizing events for residents and visitors of the location where they work, which may be a college apartment complex, senior care center or summer camp. They hire staff members, create logistics plans, manage a budget and create programs that will engage residents and visitors.

2. Catering manager

National average salary: $49,723 per year

Primary duties: A catering manager is responsible for creating food menus, scheduling staff members to work an event and serving guests at an event. They may also order supplies, organize food tables and assist with event planning as needed.

3. Meeting planner

National average salary: $53,474 per year

Primary duties: A meeting planner is responsible for connecting with managers or clients to understand these meeting needs, then planning and organizing meetings based on their conversations. They may need to order food, arrange rooms, print out copies of reports and presentations and connect all computer equipment. Meeting planners may arrange different types of meetings, from board meetings to investment pitches.

4. Event producer

National average salary: $59,746 per year

Primary duties: A event producer is responsible for making sure all aspects of an event coordinate together. They may monitor staff, communicate with vendors, set up the event space, adhere to the timeline and work with technology experts for lighting, A/V equipment and music.

5. Sponsorship manager

National average salary: $62,322 per year

Primary duties: A sponsorship manager is responsible for managing the relationship between a business and its sponsors. They may sell and negotiate contracts, develop sponsorship packages and host events that highlight their sponsors. Sponsorship managers may also invite potential sponsors to their hosted event to secure a sponsorship sale.

6. Director of events

National average salary: $63,028 per year

Primary duties: A director of events is responsible for overseeing events and the staff that work them. They usually lead a team of event planners and event managers. The director of events may conceptualize and plan sponsorship events, public events or promotional events, and work with public relations to create press releases to promote the event to the intended audience.

7. Philanthropy manager

National average salary: $63,766 per year

Primary duties: A philanthropy manager is responsible for managing professional relationships with philanthropists who support their organization. They create and plan events for current and prospective donors, providing a space where they can network and learn more about the organization they donate to.

8. Account executive

National average salary: $68,388 per year

Primary duties: An account executive is responsible for managing the relationships between a client and a brand. They support their client by planning events, building brand awareness, creating advertisements and more.

Read more: Learn About Being an Account Executive

9. Marketing manager

National average salary: $69,273 per year

Primary duties: A marketing manager is responsible for managing a marketing department, creating a budget, conceptualizing advertisements and approving marketing materials. They prepare contracts, work with vendors and market and plan events for their organization or a client group, usually with the goal of increasing brand awareness or selling a company's products or services to a target audience.

Read more: Learn About Being a Marketing Manager

10. Development director

National average salary: $102,327 per year

Primary duties: A development director is responsible for developing strategies to secure donations for their organization. Development directors are usually responsible for leading a fundraising team and planning events to secure donations for a specific cause.

Read more: Learn About Being a Development Director

Other event planning job titles

Consider looking for these additional job titles for event planners to find a position that fits you best:

• University event planner

• Event representative

• Donor relations coordinator

• Fashion show coordinator

• Convention planner

• Event project manager

• Alumni relations manager

• Festival coordinator

• Corporate event planner

• Exhibition coordinator

• Conference planner

• Community market manager

• Logistics planner

• Field sports manager

• Theme event planner

• Job fair coordinator

• Travel agent

• Event designer

• Director of event services

• Event intern

• Operations manager

• Field events manager

• Retail events representative

• Event operations manager

• Tournament director

• Legal marketing and events planner