Event Manager / Coordinator
Plans and executes events — conferences, weddings, corporate functions and exhibitions. Combines project management with creativity and vendor coordination to deliver seamless events.
- AI exposure
- 29 of 100, low exposure
- Hiring trend
- Rising
- Hiring rate
- 45%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- High
- Time to senior
- 6 years
A day in the role
Coordinates a 500-person corporate conference at KICC, manages vendor setup, troubleshoots AV issues, ensures guest experience, and reviews the event budget against actual costs.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 35,000-70,000
- Mid
- KES 80,000-170,000
- Senior
- KES 200,000-450,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 25% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside hospitality & tourism the mean is 30, across 97 careers.
Named task by task
Already automated
- AI-powered event planning and scheduling
- Automated guest list and RSVP management
- Generating event layouts and floor plans
- AI-assisted budget tracking
Still human
- Planning and coordinating events from concept to execution
- Managing budgets and timelines
- Coordinating vendors (caterers, decorators, AV)
- Managing guest experience and logistics
- Handling on-site event management
- Marketing and promoting events
Task counts
- Displacing
- AI automates RSVP and scheduling
- Augmenting
- AI layout tools assist planning
- Creating
- Hybrid/virtual events create new digital roles
Sources
Behind the rating- KICC Nairobi
- Kenya events industry
- WEF Future of Jobs 2023
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
8 courses- Artisan in Catering and AccommodationKsh 67,189a year
- Artisan in Food and BeverageKsh 67,189a year
- Artisan in Food and Beverage ProductionKsh 67,189a year
- Artisan in Front Office OperationsKsh 67,189a year
- Artisan in Hairdressing and Beauty TherapyKsh 67,189a year
- Baking Technology Level Four (TVET-CDACC)Ksh 67,189a year
- Certificate in Baking TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Certificate in Food Preparation and Culinary ArtsKsh 67,189a year
How people get in
BSc Hospitality/Event Management
4 yearsHigh cost
BSc from UoN, USIU or Kenya Utalii College
Event planning certificate + experience
3-7 yearsLow cost
Event planning certification plus progressive experience
Who hires
- KICC Nairobi
- Sarova Hotels (Events)
- Event Companies
- Corporate Companies
- Self-employed
Common misconceptions
Event management is just party planning
It involves project management, budget control, vendor negotiation, logistics, risk management and client relationship management — event managers handle complex multi-stakeholder projects.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Growth outlook
- Net demand change
- +15%
- Over
- 2026-2028
- Drivers
- Conference tourism,Corporate events recovery,Wedding industry growth
- Headwinds
- Economic uncertainty,Hybrid events reducing physical attendance
What to learn
- AI event management platforms
- Hybrid event technology
- Sustainable event practices
Kenyan market notes
Nairobi is a conference hub — KICC, Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Growing corporate events, weddings and exhibitions. Event companies (Rae & Wilson, Events by ZJ) are established. High freelance potential — per-event fees KES 50,000-500,000+. Kenya Utalii and USIU offer event management. Salary: entry KES 35,000-70,000, mid KES 80,000-170,000, senior KES 200,000-450,000+ (freelance per-event fees vary).
Further reading
This role is rated 29 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.