How to hire an events and operations manager

How to hire an events and operations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step events and operations manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an events and operations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new events and operations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an events and operations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The events and operations manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An events and operations manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, events and operations managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of events and operations manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Events And Operations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Events And Operations Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$19-50
   Manager Of Special Events	A manager of special events is responsible for organizing events and programs for a company and various organizations. Managers of special events monitor the event procedures from conceptualization to the actual execution... Show more	$14-48
   Manager, Center Operations	The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns... Show more	$18-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • Event Operations
   • Event Management
   • Event Logistics
   • Audio Visual
   • Venues
   • Customer Service
   • Event Planning
   • Trade Shows
   • Direct Reports
   • Client Events
   • Client Satisfaction
   • Event Space
   • Guest Service

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and deepen relationships with VIP's and community relationships.
   • Manage all aspects of these events and act as onsite manager to ensure meeting are delivered effectively and professionally.
   • Direct financial oversight and implement new fiscal management policies, resulting in improve profitability and cash flow reporting accuracy.
   • Track all marketing efforts to determine ROI and customer satisfaction ratings to determine the success of the projects.
   • Design marketing collateral, web page and Facebook pages and twitter account.
   • Oversee planning and promotions for all Kontrol sponsor online contests, digital editorials, social media/digital promotions and giveaways

   More events and operations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your events and operations manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An events and operations manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, events and operations managers' average salary in montana is 62% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level events and operations managers 62% less than senior-level events and operations managers.
   • Certifications. An events and operations manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an events and operations manager's salary.

   Average events and operations manager salary

   $64,929yearly

   $31.22 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level events and operations manager salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average events and operations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$91,669	$44
   2	New Jersey	$88,611	$43
   3	District of Columbia	$85,687	$41
   4	California	$85,438	$41
   5	Connecticut	$85,438	$41
   6	Washington	$82,640	$40
   7	Maryland	$69,735	$34
   8	Hawaii	$67,307	$32
   9	Colorado	$66,100	$32
   10	Nebraska	$59,957	$29
   11	Illinois	$59,480	$29
   12	Texas	$59,341	$29
   13	Arizona	$57,893	$28
   14	North Carolina	$56,591	$27
   15	Ohio	$56,179	$27
   16	Michigan	$53,929	$26
   17	Minnesota	$53,559	$26
   18	South Carolina	$49,176	$24
   19	Utah	$46,971	$23
   20	Georgia	$46,913	$23

   Average events and operations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Splunk	$86,558	$41.61
   2	Under Armour	$85,112	$40.92	15
   3	Veeva Systems	$84,988	$40.86	14
   4	Ilitch Holdings	$83,974	$40.37
   5	American Express	$82,915	$39.86	248
   6	Goodwin Recruiting	$77,229	$37.13
   7	ASA Holdings	$76,579	$36.82
   8	Future	$74,398	$35.77	4
   9	Ruth's Hospitality Group	$70,555	$33.92
   10	Naylor Association Solutions	$69,914	$33.61
   11	Ruth's Chris Steak House	$69,539	$33.43
   12	Mary's Center	$68,665	$33.01	1
   13	Patron Technology	$67,963	$32.67
   14	INSIGHT2PROFIT	$67,652	$32.52
   15	Hyatt Hotels	$67,430	$32.42	35
   16	System One	$66,628	$32.03	10
   17	New York Red Bulls	$66,549	$31.99
   18	Firstservice Residential California, Inc.	$66,177	$31.82
   19	RELX	$66,117	$31.79	30
   20	SMB Partners	$66,091	$31.77

4. Writing an events and operations manager job description

   A good events and operations manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an events and operations manager job description:

   Events and operations manager job description example

   Get ready for the BEST JOB you ever had!
   
   Do you have a passion for preparing the highest quality food that is delighting Guests around the world? Are you interested in being part of a world class team committed to promoting from within and preparing you for a CAREER? If so, this is your opportunity to join the Ruth's Chris family and join the company that defined The American Steak House in 1965 and continues to set the standard for quality and being a great place to work.
   
   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
   
   + Must be able to work holidays, nights and weekends
   
   + Develop a sales strategy for the community, filling the sales pipeline by prospecting, responding to in-bound leads, following-up with previous Private Dining Guests, and other sales tactics
   
   + Present the restaurant, its menu, and the Private Dining experience in the best possible way, while matching the Ruth's experience with the Guest's needs and wants.
   
   + Develop and maintain local relationships through networking events and other memberships
   
   + Coordinate events with the restaurant operations team to ensure proper inventories, item availability, and staffing
   
   + Conduct Prospect Visits by hosting in house tours for potential Guests and two event showcases per year
   
   + Maximize private dining revenue center profitability through responsible sales techniques and utilization of approved menus with adherence to established program ROI.
   
   If you have strong computer skills, excellent verbal, and written communication skills, able to manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time, are organized, have a high attention to detail, have strong interpersonal skills, are passionate about Guest delight, are able to establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and are able to pass a verifiable background check, you may be a strong fit for this role.
   
   If you have a High School Diploma or GED, have at least 1 year of outside sales experience and at least 1 year of restaurant operations experience, restaurant, hospitality, event planning or event marketing experience, and experience working with booking software, you may have what we are looking for.
   
   See the full job description by clicking here:
   
   Restaurant Events and Ops Manager.pdf (file:///C:/Users/eberger/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/P73PGKC8/Restaurant%20Events%20and%20Ops%20Manager.pdf)
   
   Compensation: $60,000 plus commission
   
   NOTE: The information here does not constitute a contract, express or implied. The content of this material is not all-inclusive and is for informational purposes only. Ruth's Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right events and operations manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your events and operations manager job on Zippia to find and recruit events and operations manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with events and operations manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new events and operations manager

   Once you've selected the best events and operations manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new events and operations manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an events and operations manager?