Hospitality or Events Management - Stockport JobsMatch

If you’re passionate about customer service and thrive in a busy environment, a career in hospitality or events management could be for you.

The majority of jobs in the hospitality and events sector involve dealing with customers in some way. But the range of job types is incredibly broad – from working in casinos and leisure attractions to organising corporate events or fundraising. Hospitality, catering and events companies also employ people to work behind-the-scenes in jobs like sales, marketing and finance.

Whilst you’ll need to be prepared to work unsociable hours, there are many advantages to a hospitality career – from the opportunity to work throughout the UK or overseas to internal career development and promotion from within common with both small and large employers.

Featured Stockport Employer

Hear from Faye, General Manager at the Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport, sharing her career story about working in the Hospitality & Events Management sector. The Alma Lodge Hotel was built in the 1860s and become a private hotel in the 1920s. Boasting 52 en-suite guest rooms and an on-site Italian restaurant, it also has an events venue with 5 conference rooms and a 250-capacity function room!

Faye’s journey into the Hospitality sector began when she worked part-time at the Alma Lodge during her studies. She then went on to study Events Management, before working at a range of different venues and hotels, then returning and progressing into the GM role. Learn more about the skills involved in this hands-on position, what she looks for when recruiting students herself, and the best parts about the job.

Labour Market Information

In recent times, the hospitality and events sector has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the latest market reports show a rise in roles linked to hospitality and events and growing employer confidence. Employment opportunities in hospitality are likely to bounce back quickly as restrictions are lifted and people start to travel and socialise more.

The hospitality and events sectors were also quick to adapt to changes and advancements during the pandemic. Adopting new technology (such as mobile reservations or table ordering and payment apps) to increased levels of hygiene to give customers a greater sense of safety and security, many companies are now primed to make a swift recovery.

Stockport is home to large and small employers in the hospitality and events sector. We have a growing night-time economy, with our town and district centres populated with independently owned restaurants and bars together with larger firms and national chains. Due to our locality to the airport, Manchester city centre and train links direct to London, Stockport also has a growing number of hotels, events venues and leisure attractions who recruit events management and contract catering roles.

Stockport also boasts a thriving entrepreneurial economy, making self-employment or starting your own business (independently or as part of a franchise) another great option.

Starting Salary

£11.44 per hour or £17-18,000
per annum

Typical Salary Range

£21,500 – £65,000+
per annum

Working Hours

37 to 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekend

LMI Infographic from GMACS

GMACS have produced a range of helpful infographics to summarise careers in the Hospitality sector and the current employment landscape in Greater Manchester. According to the stats, the most in-demand roles are as a Event or Hospitalityy Manager, Chef, in Sales or Customer Service and you may find yourself working for one of 8,200 hospitality employers such as Whitbred, Sodexo, McDonalds or Britannia Hotels for example. You’ll be joining 6% of GM residents who work in this sector earning an average of £21,900 and you’ll need to demonstrate people skills, flexibility and time-management.

You can view the full infographic and click on the links for more information by selecting the button below to view as a PDF.

View PDF

Working in Hospitality or Events Management

Due to our locality to the airport, Manchester city centre and train links direct to London, Stockport also has a growing number of hotels, events venues and leisure attractions who recruit events management and contract catering roles. There are also a number of regional charities based in Stockport that offer fundraising roles that involve some aspects of events planning.

Stockport also boasts a thriving entrepreneurial economy, making self-employment or starting your own business (independently or as part of a franchise) another great option.

To pursue a career in hospitality and events management,
you will need to be able to demonstrate skills like:

Confidence and communication skills
Customer service skills
Listening, patience and empathy
Ability to work in a team
Ability to work under pressure
Flexibility to work long or unsociable hours
Stamina and a strong work ethic
Organisation and ability to multi-task
Initiative and ability to work on independently

From organising weddings to managing your own pub, there are lots of hospitality and events management jobs available.

Larger employers may offer apprenticeships or graduate schemes, whereas smaller organisations are more likely to offer temporary or casual jobs which are a great way to gain work experience. Often local businesses will accept speculative CVs or advertise on their own social media accounts when they need to hire a new vacancy.

Careers in hospitality include jobs working in:

Catering
Food service management
Hotels and holiday centres
Leisure and attractions
Pubs, bars and nightclubs
Restaurants and cafes

Careers in events management include jobs working in:

Conference and exhibitions
Corporate events and product launches
Entertainment
Fundraising and charity events
Sports and leisure events
Weddings and parties

There are a range of entry routes and levels for a career in the hospitality and events sector and you can get started straight from leaving school with GCSE level qualifications and work experience. For specialist or senior level positions, more advanced qualifications may help you to fast-track your applications – such as a BA in Events Management or a Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery.

Apprenticeships in hospitality, catering and events are also available from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs) through to Level 6 and 7 (degree-level, equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).

Training courses offering practical skills that could help you develop a career in hospitality and events. These include certificates in food hygiene, customer service, bartending or barista skills for example.

There are lots of great opportunities to progress your career within the hospitality and events sector. As many individuals start out in entry-level roles and work their way up, you have the advantage of developing a wide range of skills and an understanding of lots of different job roles across the business.

This makes it easier to learn what you enjoy best or excel at, as well as giving you the opportunity to diversify or specialise in a particular area – such as becoming a sous chef or organising festivals and outdoor functions. Or you could choose to move into a similar, related sector like sales, marketing or leisure and tourism.

Internal development is very common in the hospitality and events sector, with most career opportunities arising through promotions from within. Gaining experience, knowledge and expertise will help you to progress into a management or leadership position offering greater pay and benefits in return for increased responsibility.