A rare opportunity to join the City Winery team as we reimagine the future of live music and hospitality. City Winery to deliver the highest end combined culinary and cultural experience to our customers who are passionate in sharing wine, music, and culinary arts. We are a unique facility, combining a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food & wine classes, private events in a variety of configurations, and fine dining. We have created a compelling mix for our sophisticated clientele of foodies, and active cultural patrons—bringing the wine country experience to the middle of a large city.
Position Summary
The Event Director is responsible for overall private events operation and profitability in his/her venue, including strategy, planning and execution of events, soliciting sales, and successful achievement of annual budgeted profitability. This role seeks to exceed guest expectations and levels of hospitality, while maintaining the Company’s quality of standards. This role is responsible for leading and providing daily support to the events team in selling and planning unique and customized events for each client to ensure guests leave with a memorable experience. The Event Director collaborates with several internal departments to achieve success throughout the planning and execution process.
Why us?
Competitive pay (Yearly salary $70K base plus heavy commission)
We are a rapidly expanding national entertainment and hospitality company, offering tremendous opportunities for driven and ambitious individuals.
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
nDORFins program designed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle!
401K (and yes we match!)
Flexible Savings Accounts
HSA and Dependent Care
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
An atmosphere of learning, development & enrichment opportunities.
Amazing discounts
50% OFF all dining/retail wine
Free Family Meal
Tickets to available shows
And more!
Overview of Responsibilities
Implement business growth strategies for all attainable markets, including weddings, corporate meetings & conferences, food & beverage industry events, the non-profit & fundraising circuit, and social event planners
Proactively develop and maintain sales pipeline in various markets throughout the year to bring new business to City Winery
Lead and support sales team’s outreach goals throughout the year to drive new business
Attend relevant internal and external events to network and bring in new clientele to City Winery
Effectively manage a full booking cycle of events from initial inquiry to client follow up to ensure guest and client satisfaction for each event
Negotiate agreements and pricing with clients and vendors by prioritizing our business
Create and collect all necessary documentation/ paperwork from client in a timely manner
Exhibit expertise in service procedures and be prepared to take on any operational role required for events
Work with appropriate department team members to set service standards that will be applied universally
Clearly communicate setup needs to service managers (clearing furniture, silverware, etc.)
Support sales team with full booking cycle for their respective events as needed
Strong knowledge of event equipment rentals in NYC is necessary – facilitate orders per event as needed
Develop & maintain relationships with vendors, including rental companies, bands, DJs, florists, photographers, caterers, parking garages, security companies, and bakeries
Manage, lead, and train sales team including monitor performance and hold team accountable to standards
Collaborate with Marketing Director for new ideas to target various industries and maintain annual marketing and social media calendar
Place holds strategically throughout the year on dates that are prime for large-scale private events and discuss the booking potential of those dates with Talent Buyer
Refer clients to Talent Buyer for assistance with booking bands for their events
Manage, lead, and train sales team including monitor performance and hold team accountable to standards
Recommend disciplinary action and/or terminate as needed, seeking approval from GM and HR as needed
Recruitment and hiring of private events personnel
Conduct reviews of Event Department personnel on bi-annual basis
Set F&B Minimums, staff pricing and pricing for all rentals (space, production, etc.) for event spaces as is most appropriate for business in the market, update as needed
Plan and gain approval from GM for annual revenue budgets and monthly forecasts
Initial setup of TripleSeat and maintain all aspects of the program on an ongoing basis.
Maintain an Event Management & Event Sales SOP manual and reference guide
Review and write copy / provide images for Private Events page on website; update as often as appropriate and review annually
Maintain all contractual documentation for Private Events, including:
Proposal templates
Contract templates
Turnover/Introduction Letters
Private Event Policies
Banquet Event Order templates
Beverage Log templates
Estimated & Final Invoice templates
Thank You Letters
Maintain all sales tools for Private Events, including all Brochures, Banquet Menus Beverage Packages, Wine Lists, Audio Visual Packages & Equipment, and Additional Sells (Custom Wine, Wine Blending, Wine/Culinary Activities, etc.)
Provide positive and constructive feedback to all CW departments & teams based on survey results
Responsible for fiscal success of private event department
Maintain reports of all Private Event Costs of Goods (COGs) including food, beverage, staffing, rentals, Event Dept. salaries, audio/visual production and others items related to event production
Minimum Qualifications
7+ years’ experience in event sales/management or equivalent relevant experience
Proven background in planning, strategizing and executing on-premise events from end to end
Strong customer service orientation skills
Proven revenue and budget management skills
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and results oriented
Knowledge of practices and procedures of on-premise events
Ability to negotiate, influence and sell prospective clients
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
Professional and effective interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, both written and oral
Appreciation and general understanding of the music, food, and wine business
Ability to work flexible schedule including nights, weekends, holidays if needed due to events
Must be able to sit, stand and walk regularly
Must be able to travel as needed
Bachelor's degree preferred
About Us
Wine, food, and live entertainment collide at City Winery to create a dynamic and incredibly unique workplace. Since 2008, City Winery has been turning heads across the nation with amazing live performances, delectable cuisine, and award winning, locally produced wines. But there's more to us than that we're a haven for community and creativity, a place where the philosophy of hospitality is more than just a buzzword, but a way of life. City Winery, founded by music industry veteran & visionary Michael Dorf, has established itself as a one-of-a-kind brand providing unforgettable experiences for guests. From world class music venues to sustainably produced wines with ratings of 90+ points, City Winery offers a range of topnotch events & experiences.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at City Winery. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, City Winery participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.