Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

The centrepiece of all esports is competitions and tournaments. Event managers are responsible for running these events — ensuring a high quality entertainment product for the audience, and a fair field of competition for athletes.

Esport events have a fundamentally digital component which adds to the usual challengesof event production. Not only is there a higher risk of technical difficulties, the event is usually being broadcast live and there may be pressure to maintain high viewership numbers.

Bringing a large number of gaming devices to a venue can create complications. A typical hotel may have its internet become overwhelmed and slow down, or the power consumption may need to be distributed across multiple circuits to avoid blowing a fuse.

During events, a manager is expected to be on site. There are likely to be long hours required in the run up to and during the event, and as an entertainment product many esport events take place on weekends.

Work tasks...

• Ensure that venues are properly equipped —with a stable internet connection, suitable heating and lighting, security, and crowd management.
• Establish and maintain relationships with external partners, such as local event production staff, sponsors, broadcast talent, and game publishers.
• Manage a production schedule with esport matches, panel appearances, interviews, media days, and social events.
• Deliver a live broadcast through cooperation with casters, observers, lighting and camera specialists, and broadcast engineers to ensure a high quality production.
• React to unforeseen circumstances, working quickly to ensure the event continues on-schedule, on-budget, and in a manner that is fair to all competitors.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
• Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
• Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
• Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
• Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
• Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
• Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
• Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
• Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
• Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Attending and volunteering at esport events is a great way to get started, as a manager needs to know the ins and outs of how events work. Developing a professional network is particularly important, as an event manager needs to rely on people across many disciplines.

General qualifications in event management will help, though esports evolves quickly and staying current with the latest technologies and practices will be important to stay relevant.

Opportunities for paid work in Ireland may be limited. Event managers are often expected to travel and work on-site.

Further info...

• British Esports — Esport Event Manager
• IntoGames — Esport Events Manager
• Hitmarker — Games Career Advice

Last Updated: January, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €55k

Salaries vary by employer, company, prorgamme, prize mney, sessions rates, location, experience, duties, and role. 

Data Source(s):
Zip/ Indeed/ Morgan McKinley/ Indeed/ Excel/ Prosperity

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.

A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.

An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.

• Ireland ESports

  • 087 217 6167
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Imirt Irish Game Makers

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Ardan

  • Cluain Mhuire Wellpark Road, Galway City, Ireland, H91 WP9K
  • 091 770 748
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here