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Freelance Event Planner Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Freelance Event Planner information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$13

$29

$42

How much do freelance event planner jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance event planner in Raleigh, NC is $29.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.37 and $34.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Freelance Event Planner Do?

A freelance event planner works to prepare and plan everything needed for a successful event on a contractual basis. In this career, you work closely with the client to understand the needs and wants of the event and how to fit them into their budget. You research venues and vendors, compare the options, and discuss with the client to confirm they are happy with your selection. You are also responsible for coordinating everything before and during the event, ensuring payment is given, and assisting with the cleanup at the end. A freelance event planner works independently to coordinate various sizes of events, programs, and other gatherings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Event Planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Event Planner, you need strong project management, organizational, and budgeting skills, typically supported by experience in hospitality or event coordination. Familiarity with event management software, budgeting tools, and online marketing platforms is valuable, and certifications like CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) can enhance credibility. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities help you build client relationships and handle unexpected challenges. These skills ensure you can plan seamless events, meet client expectations, and grow a successful freelance business.

What does a freelance event planner do?

A freelance event planner is a self-employed professional who organizes and coordinates events such as weddings, parties, corporate gatherings, and conferences. They work independently, managing all aspects of event planning including budgeting, vendor negotiations, logistics, and on-site coordination. Freelance event planners often tailor their services to meet each client's specific needs, ensuring that every detail is handled efficiently. Their responsibilities may also include marketing their services, networking, and maintaining relationships with venues and suppliers.

What is the difference between Freelance Event Planner vs Event Coordinator?

AspectFreelance Event PlannerEvent Coordinator
CredentialsOften self-taught or with certifications in event planningTypically requires experience or certifications in event management
Work EnvironmentIndependent, flexible, often remote or client-siteEmployed by an organization or venue, working on-site
Employer & Industry UsageWorks with multiple clients across industriesWorks for a specific company or venue, managing events in-house
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance or independent event planning servicesSeeking in-house event management or coordination services

In summary, Freelance Event Planners operate independently, managing various clients and events, while Event Coordinators are typically employed by organizations to oversee events in a fixed environment. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but their work settings and employment structures differ.

What are some common challenges freelance event planners face when managing multiple clients?

Freelance event planners often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and organization particularly challenging. Balancing overlapping deadlines, diverse client expectations, and varying event scopes requires excellent communication and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. Additionally, freelancers must consistently market themselves to secure new clients while ensuring high-quality service for current events. Building reliable vendor relationships and maintaining a robust network can help streamline logistics and reduce last-minute stress.
What are the most commonly searched types of Event Planner jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Event Planner jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Event Planner jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Freelance Event Planner jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Freelance Event Planner jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Freelance Event Planner job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Event Planner job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,567 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

JOB TITLE: Photographer 
DEPARTMENT: Marketing & Communications 
DIVISION:     Institutional Advancement   
SUPERVISOR: Associate Director of Design 

1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB  

This job exists to aid in marketing and communicating the overall message of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College through conceiving and developing professional images for use in seminary promotions, marketing, advertising, news materials, etc.  

2. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

  • Plan and execute photoshoots for a variety of institutional needs 

  • Capture photography of important campus events 

  • Coordinate photography needs for institutional and campus events 

  • Upload, deliver, and distribute photography assets across multiple platforms for access by the Marketing and Communications team and other offices on campus in a timely manner on a regular basis 

  • Work alongside the social media manager by helping capture photos and occasionally videos for social media posts 

  • Responsible for choosing and delivering photography files to other staff upon request 

  • Cover chapel twice weekly during the school year 

  • Cover events, conferences, or concerts on campus

3. OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

  • One of the media representatives for Southeastern Seminary at the Southern Baptist Convention and at times other major conferences 

  • Occasional travel for photography needs 

  • Work collaboratively with other team members to brainstorm new ideas and projects 

  • Work with other team members to ensure photography needs are covered at all times 

  • Assist other team members as needed and as able 

4. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  

  • Assign shoots to freelance photographers as needed 

5. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS  

Required 

  1. At least 2 years of experience in photography 

  1. Excellent grasp of photographic medium using digital equipment, including composition of subjects, lighting, equipment use and set up, etc. 

  1. Knowledge in using a manual full-frame digital camera 

  1. Ability to work under deadline pressure, with the ability to collaborate with a multi-task news team of writers, designers, and supervisors 

  1. In-depth knowledge of Adobe Lightroom 

  1. The ability to manage multiple tasks at a time 

  1. Excellent planning, organization, and prioritization skills 

  1. Flexibility and a willingness to learn 

Preferred 

  1. Knowledge of content creation best practices 

  1. Basic working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud apps or Adobe Creative Cloud Express 

6. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY  

  • None 

7. EXTENT OF PUBLIC CONTACT  

  • Within the seminary: Regular contact with other staff, faculty, students, event attendees, etc. 

  • Outside the seminary: Occasional need for contact with other members of the public at events, conferences, in the community, campus visitors or guests, etc. 

8. PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

  • Ability to carry photography equipment for long periods of time (such as at conferences or events) 

  • Ability to handle photography equipment quickly and easily as the situation demands 

  • Ability to stand for long periods of time (for example, at events where seating is not provided) 

9. WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT  

  • Attends certain campus events, which may be scheduled on the weekend or weeknights 

  • During certain weeks there may be multiple major events requiring extra hours of work, including the SBC Annual Meeting and the bi-annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and Southeastern Society 

  • Shares a collaborative office environment with 4–5 other staff members 

This position is restricted to current SEBTS students and spouses of SEBTS students