Career Path Guide
If you want to become an entertainment coordinator, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for it:
Entertainment coordinators are people that enjoy being a part of the action, and working with people. They have excellent communication skills, excellent organizational skills, and are able to successfully negotiate contracts that are true to the best interests of the organization they represent. Entertainment coordinators are very dedicated to their work, and take pride in having their events are successfully executed.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as an entertainment coordinator. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become an Entertainment Coordinator
Although the educational requirements may vary by employer, they typically prefer candidates that have related post-secondary education, as well as some experience in supervising the work of others, or managing events.
Relevant post-secondary education may include a college diploma or certificate in an area such as Event Planning or Event Management.
There are also many fields of study at the university level that are well-suited for providing aspiring entertainment coordinators with the necessary knowledge base and skill set, including Communication, Business Administration, Marketing and Management.
General Job Description
Entertainment coordinators are responsible for the successful execution of various shows and other entertainment programs on behalf of the entertainment venue for which they work. They may also responsible for reconciling sponsor needs with guest satisfaction goals and market research, in order to create new venues and content for those venues.
Typical Job Duties
• Act as a liaison for the general public and facility representatives
• Check for customer satisfaction by obtaining feedback
• Ensure to resolve all customer issues by using company service recovery procedures
• Ensure that all paperwork for the entertainer’s management is completed in a timely manner
• Provide information regarding all scheduled events and entertainment being provided by other properties
• Ensure a pleasant experience for guest entertainers by supplying them with food, beverages and appropriate accommodations
• Record attendance numbers of performance
• Assist with program scheduling
• Oversee the collection of admission fees
Skills and Traits Needed to Become an Entertainment Coordinator
Successful entertainment coordinators share many similar personality traits and skills. These traits and skills allow entertainment coordinators to not only be competent in their work, they also allow them to endure the ups and downs of this career. These traits and skills include:
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Stamina and energy required for working long hours when required
• Ability to negotiate agreements and contracts disputes
• Ability to work effectively with all sorts of people
• Ability to pay close attention to details
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Able to make responsible decisions quickly
• Enjoy organizing and coordinating activities
Average Salary Level
The salary level of entertainment coordinators can vary depending on factors such as their level of education, their level of experience, where they work, their specific job responsibilities, and many others.
Entertainment Coordinator Salary - Canada: According to the 2017 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans working in the Special Event Coordinators occupational group earn an average salary of $50,405 per year. Unfortunately, no similar statistics were available from reliable sources for other Canadian provinces or territories at the time of writing (July 3, 2019).
Salary - United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary level of workers in the Meeting, Convention and Event Planners occupational group is $45,260 per year.
Who Employs Entertainment Coordinators?
Entertainment coordinators are hired by organizations that plan, coordinate and manage entertainment related events and performances, such as concerts, sporting tournaments, and others. They can also be self-employed, in which case they are hired by many of these same organizations on a contractual basis. Such organizations include:
• Festival and event associations
• Private exhibition organizations (such as Calgary Stampede)
• Mutli-use recreation facilities (such as golf domes and mini-golf courses)
• Concert venues
• Sporting venues
• Entertainment coordination companies
• Colleges and universities
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Municipal parks and recreation departments
Career Advancement Possibilities
With enough career experience, as well as proven competency and dedication, entertainment coordinators may take on roles of higher responsibility. These roles typically include coordinating larger and more complex entertainment events, or moving into supervisory positions that involve training and supervising other staff members.
When career experience is combined with entrepreneurial skill, a large contact base and a recognized market share opportunity, entertainment coordinators may also start their own business.
Working Conditions
Work Schedule: The work schedule of entertainment coordinators may be based on their own personal choice, or based on the requirements of the job, depending on the employer and the event. Some entertainment coordinators work normal, weekday full-time hours, others work primarily on evenings and weekends. Some entertainment coordinators must work outside of their normal working hours in order to fulfill the requirements of their job.
Work Environment: Entertainment coordinators typically perform the majority of their duties in an office setting, although they may also spend quite a bit of time travelling outside of the office in order to meet with sponsors and perform other duties. Typically, entertainment coordinators are also responsible for being present during the entertainment event in order to ensure its successful execution.
Entertainment Coordinator Jobs
Our job board below has "Entertainment Coordinator" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Similar Careers in Our Database
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to 'entertainment coordinator', as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
References
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of this profession.
Occupations in Alberta: “Special Event Co-ordinator.” (January 31, 2017). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
Business & Financial: “Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners.” (September 4, 2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
Job Qualifications: “Entertainment Coordinator Job Qualifications.” Kristin Swain (n.d.). Houston Chronicle website. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
Please Note: Much of the information for this career guide was gathered from actual job postings, which due to the brief nature of their online presence, are not listed here as sources.
Scholarships for Becoming an Entertainment Coordinator
The Applicable Majors section below shows fields of study relevant to a career as an entertainment coordinator. You can search for scholarships matched to those fields of study on our Business Administration Scholarships, Marketing Scholarships and Communications Scholarships pages.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Applicable Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming an entertainment coordinator. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
