Role: Challenge Events Manager
Company: Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
Track Record:
No two days are the same for events manager and fundraiser Emma McArdle
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
My first job was in the Ulster Bank, processing mortgages in head office, which helped me to save to go travelling for a year in Australia. When I returned I got a job in an advertising agency, ASG, as a client support executive for five years. From there I moved into the charity sector, first as an events assistant and then an events manager with Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
Now I look after challenge events which include activities such as mountain hiking, zorbing, running, skydiving — all the exciting things you ever wanted to do, and for a good cause.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Business studies.
Did you go to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
After GCSEs I went to Armagh College of Further Education and did a GNVQ Advanced in business studies and then to the Ulster University (Jordanstown) and gained an honours degree in business studies.
How did you get into your area of work?
My role at ASG was to assist the PR and advertising team. This involved event management on behalf of clients, which I found
I had a real aptitude for and loved. This inspired me to start looking around for a job that focused more on this area. I spotted a job in the local paper for an events assistant with a local cancer charity and luckily I got it. I was really excited as I love to do my bit for charity and give something back, so this was the perfect combination. I worked there for three years but wanted to progress my career so I was delighted when Cancer Focus NI advertised for an events manager. This was just the right fit for me and I was thrilled when I got the job.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
Like a lot of young people I wasn’t quite sure what career I wanted — there are so many to choose from, it can be very confusing. I just knew when I got involved in events and marketing that this was what I enjoyed and decided I wanted to go down that road.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
You need a third level qualification in a relevant discipline such as events management, marketing, communications or business management. The role requires experience in event coordination, setting and meeting fundraising targets, marketing and PR.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Employers are always looking for someone with enthusiasm, drive and commitment to the job. You need to be able to generate good new ideas for fundraising – one activity I introduced into Cancer Focus NI, for example, was Up the Lagan in a Bubble (zorbing) which went down a storm. You also need to be good with people and be very organised. You can be working with dozens of fundraisers, who you need to keep in touch with, and have a lot of events running at the same time.
What does a typical day entail?
One of the great things I like is that no two days are the same. It definitely isn’t 9-5 — you can be out at cheque presentations and events in the evening, PR photos, risk assessing an event, or going out to meet new fundraisers at any time of the day. I was recently on a 10 day trek to China when I had to look after 14 fundraisers who were walking the Great Wall. It was amazing. Right now I am gearing up for my Pink Colour Run on Sunday October 30 as part of the Cancer Focus NI In Pink campaign to raise money for our research into breast cancer at Queen’s University Belfast. If anyone would like to get involved please get in touch with us — we’d love to hear from you.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
It can be hard work pulling everything together for a big event but I love to see the enjoyment people get out of a hike up Donard or a mud run. They have a fantastic experience plus they know they are doing something invaluable to help people with cancer. I get the opportunity to meet inspiring, wonderful people, which makes me feel very privileged and that gives me a huge incentive to do my best. It’s very rewarding.
Why is what you do important?
Cancer Focus NI is a local charity so all the money raised for us stays here. I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that my work makes a huge difference to the lives of local people who are going through a really tough time. Your money pays for many valuable care services, cancer prevention projects such as stop smoking clinics, and funds research in our universities.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Get your qualifications and as much experience as you can. There’s plenty of voluntary work out there. I’m always looking for volunteers to help out at my events. We do our best to give you as much experience as we can.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
Still something dealing with people. I sometimes think I’d like to be a personal shopper – but that’s because I love shopping myself.
What is the one piece of advice you would give yourself on the first day?
Give yourself time to speak to people and get a feel for the organisation and all the different types of work that it does. This is something that your fundraisers will want to know about so they understand where the money they raise is spent.
Describe your ideal day off.
Shopping. A well-earned lie in… meeting friends for lunch or dinner. No deadlines.
What is the key to any successful job search?
Go for a job you enjoy, you may be doing it for a long time.