Informa Event Manager Interview
Complete guide to the Event Manager interview at Informa — real questions, insider tips, salary data, and stage-by-stage preparation.
Overview
Interviewing for Event Manager at Informa
Interviewing for a Event Manager position at Informa is a distinct experience from applying to the same role elsewhere. Informa with 18,000+ employees, has built a structured hiring process that reflects both the demands of the Event Manager role and the company's own values and culture. The process is designed to assess not just whether you can do the job technically, but whether you'll thrive in Informa's specific working environment.
For Event Managers specifically, Informa assesses a blend of role-specific expertise and alignment with the company's working style. Interviewers want to see evidence that you've delivered measurable results in similar settings and that you understand the particular challenges Event Managers face in the media & publishing sector. Come prepared to discuss specific examples from your experience, not generic talking points.
Understanding what Informa values — and how that translates into their interview expectations for a Event Manager — gives you a significant advantage. This guide breaks down the full process, the specific questions you're likely to face, and how to prepare effectively.
Process
How Informa interviews Event Managers
Informa's interview process for Event Manager roles typically runs 5-8 weeks and involves 6 distinct stages. The process begins with application review and progresses through increasingly focused assessments. Each stage is designed to evaluate different aspects of your suitability — from baseline qualifications through to cultural alignment and role-specific capability.
For Event Manager candidates, the process is structured to assess both your technical competence and your fit within Informa's team. Expect a mix of competency-based questions testing relevant experience, scenario-based discussions probing your judgement, and conversations about your career goals. Informa looks for candidates who can demonstrate impact from previous roles and articulate how they'd contribute here.
Application Review
Your CV and relevant experience are reviewed. Industry knowledge and customer focus are valued.
Tailor your application specifically for the Event Manager role at Informa. Highlight experience with People management, Strategic planning, Budget management and use language that mirrors their job description. Informa receives high volumes of applications, so a generic CV will be filtered out.
Phone Screening
Initial conversation with recruiter about background and interest in professional services.
Tailor your application specifically for the Event Manager role at Informa. Highlight experience with People management, Strategic planning, Budget management and use language that mirrors their job description. Informa receives high volumes of applications, so a generic CV will be filtered out.
Department Interview
Meeting with hiring manager to discuss relevant experience and approach.
Research Informa's approach to this stage. Prepare specific examples from your Event Manager experience that demonstrate the qualities they value: industry knowledge, customer focus, event or digital expertise.
Case Study or Project Discussion
For strategic roles, discussion of relevant case or project experience.
Prepare concrete examples of your Event Manager work. Demonstrate your analytical thinking and attention to detail. Informa values candidates who can structure their approach clearly and explain their reasoning.
Team Interview
Meeting with team members to assess collaboration and fit.
Research Informa's approach to this stage. Prepare specific examples from your Event Manager experience that demonstrate the qualities they value: industry knowledge, customer focus, event or digital expertise.
Final Interview
For senior roles, leadership interview.
This stage assesses your strategic thinking and cultural fit at Informa. Prepare to discuss where you see yourself in 3-5 years and how the Event Manager role fits your career goals. Ask thoughtful questions about Informa's direction and team structure.
Qualities
What Informa looks for in Event Managers
Industry Knowledge
Informa values industry knowledge because Understanding of professional markets and industry dynamics relevant to business..
For the Event Manager role, show this by sharing examples where you used People management or Strategic planning to deliver measurable results.
Customer Focus
Informa values customer focus because Ability to understand professional customer needs and develop solutions..
For the Event Manager role, show this by sharing examples where you used People management or Strategic planning to deliver measurable results.
Event or Digital Expertise
Informa values event or digital expertise because Relevant experience in event management, digital strategy, or professional services..
For the Event Manager role, show this by sharing examples where you used People management or Strategic planning to deliver measurable results.
Community Building
Informa values community building because Understanding of how to build and engage professional communities..
For the Event Manager role, show this by sharing examples where you used People management or Strategic planning to deliver measurable results.
People leadership
For Event Manager roles specifically, people leadership is essential because Inspires, develops, and retains talented team members; creates psychological safety.
Prepare 2-3 examples from your experience that clearly demonstrate people leadership. Informa's interviewers will probe this in behavioural questions.
Questions
Informa Event Manager interview questions
Tell us about your experience in professional services or events.
Informa asks this to assess your fit for the Event Manager role and alignment with their values.
Frame your answer around your Event Manager experience specifically. Reference Informa's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.
How do you approach understanding professional customer needs?
Informa asks this to assess your fit for the Event Manager role and alignment with their values.
Frame your answer around your Event Manager experience specifically. Reference Informa's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.
What excites you about Informa and professional markets?
Informa asks this to assess your fit for the Event Manager role and alignment with their values.
Frame your answer around your Event Manager experience specifically. Reference Informa's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.
Describe your experience with event strategy or digital platforms.
Informa asks this to assess your fit for the Event Manager role and alignment with their values.
Frame your answer around your Event Manager experience specifically. Reference Informa's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.
Choose your interview type
Your question
“Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.”
Preparation
How to prepare for your Informa Event Manager interview
Preparing for a Event Manager interview at Informa requires a dual focus: you need to master the role-specific technical requirements and understand how Informa operates as an organisation. Start by thoroughly reviewing the job description and mapping your experience against every requirement. For each skill or qualification listed, prepare a specific example from your career that demonstrates competence — ideally with quantifiable outcomes.
On the role-specific side, ensure you can discuss People management, Strategic planning, Budget management, Project leadership with confidence and provide concrete examples. Informa values candidates who can connect their technical skills to business outcomes, so prepare to explain not just what you did, but the measurable impact it had.
Research Informa beyond their website: read recent news, check their Glassdoor reviews (their rating is 3.6/5), and look at what current employees say about working there. Understanding their culture helps you frame your answers authentically and ask informed questions — interviewers notice when a candidate has done their homework versus when they're winging it.
Preparation checklist
- 1Review the Event Manager job description in detail and map each requirement to a specific example from your experience
- 2Research Informa's recent news, strategic direction, and media & publishing position over the last 12 months
- 3Prepare 6-8 examples using situation-action-result structure covering: industry knowledge, customer focus, event or digital expertise
- 4Practise discussing your experience with People management, Strategic planning, Budget management, Project leadership in concrete, outcome-focused terms
- 5Prepare 3-5 thoughtful questions about the Event Manager role, team structure, and Informa's direction — avoid questions answered on their website
- 6Review Informa's values and culture: Industry Knowledge and Customer Focus — prepare examples showing alignment
- 7Review industry trends in media & publishing that could affect Informa's business and the Event Manager function
- 8Plan your interview logistics: know the format (in-person/remote), dress code, and who you're meeting — check LinkedIn for interviewer backgrounds if known
The role
Working as a Event Manager at Informa
A typical day as a Event Manager at Informa blends the core responsibilities of the role with Informa's specific working culture and pace. In an organisation of 18,000+ employees, you'd be part of a structured team with clear reporting lines, regular meetings, and established processes. Informa's media & publishing focus means the work carries a results-oriented rhythm where impact is measured and visible.
Your day would typically involve manage team performance through objective-setting, regular feedback, and development planning. you'll conduct one-to-ones, appraisals, and performance reviews, supporting team members to achieve. At Informa specifically, this work is shaped by their emphasis on industry knowledge and customer focus, so expect collaborative working, regular check-ins, and an environment where proactive contribution is noticed and rewarded.
Compensation
Event Manager salary at Informa
Typical range
£48,000–£65,000 (typically above market average)
Event Manager salaries at Informa tend to sit at the upper end of the UK market. Informa offers structured pay bands with clear progression tied to performance reviews and promotions. The UK average for Event Managers ranges from £32,000–£42,000 at junior level to £72,000–£100,000 for experienced professionals, and Informa's positioning within that range reflects their media & publishing standing and location.
Beyond base salary, Informa offers a benefits package that includes Pension scheme, Flexible working and hybrid options, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, Healthcare package, Life assurance. For Event Managers specifically, the total compensation package including pension, holiday, and professional development support adds meaningful value beyond the headline salary figure.
Application
How to apply for Event Manager at Informa
Getting through the door for a Event Manager role at Informa starts well before the interview. Informa typically advertises roles on their careers page and major job boards, but for competitive positions, a direct referral from a current employee can significantly improve your chances. If you know anyone at Informa — or can connect through LinkedIn or industry events — a warm introduction carries more weight than a cold application.
Your application should speak directly to the Event Manager requirements and Informa's stated values. Focus on outcomes and measurable impact. Informa receives many applications for Event Manager positions, so specific achievements (revenue, efficiency, growth metrics) differentiate you from candidates who only describe responsibilities.
Write a cover letter that names Informa and the Event Manager role explicitly — generic applications are obvious and get filtered. Reference something specific about Informa: a recent project, their market position, or a strategic direction that aligns with your experience. Keep it to one page and lead with your strongest relevant achievement.
Common mistakes to avoid
- 1Applying with a generic CV that doesn't mention Informa or the specific Event Manager requirements — tailoring your application is non-negotiable here
- 2Not researching Informa's values and interview style — candidates who can't articulate why they want to work specifically at Informa rarely progress past first-round
- 3Preparing only generic Event Manager examples without connecting them to Informa's media & publishing context and priorities
- 4Underestimating the cultural fit assessment — Informa's interviewers give significant weight to whether you'll thrive in their specific environment
- 5Failing to prepare thoughtful questions — asking nothing, or asking questions easily answered on Informa's website, signals a lack of genuine interest in the role
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Informa Event Manager interview process take?
Informa's interview process for Event Manager roles typically takes 5-8 weeks. This varies depending on the seniority of the role and the number of candidates at each stage. Some candidates report faster timelines when there's an urgent hiring need.
What salary can a Event Manager expect at Informa?
Event Manager salaries at Informa range from £32,000–£42,000 for junior positions to £72,000–£100,000 for experienced professionals. Informa generally offers competitive packages with structured pay progression.
What does Informa look for in Event Manager candidates?
Informa prioritises industry knowledge, customer focus, event or digital expertise when hiring Event Managers. Beyond technical competence, they value candidates who align with their company culture and can demonstrate measurable impact from previous roles.
Is it hard to get a Event Manager job at Informa?
Informa is a competitive employer for Event Manager positions. The selection process is rigorous but fair — candidates who prepare thoroughly and demonstrate genuine interest in the role and company have a strong chance. The key differentiator is preparation: candidates who research Informa specifically and connect their experience to the role's requirements consistently outperform those who don't.
What's the best way to prepare for a Event Manager interview at Informa?
Start by researching Informa's values, recent news, and media & publishing position. Prepare 6-8 structured examples from your Event Manager experience covering industry knowledge and customer focus. Practise discussing your technical skills (People management, Strategic planning, Budget management) with specific outcomes. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and team.
Does Informa offer graduate or entry-level Event Manager positions?
Informa typically offers structured graduate programmes and entry-level Event Manager pathways. Check their careers page for current openings — application windows for graduate schemes often close 6-12 months before the start date.
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