Job Summary:
The Director of Events for the El Dorado Conference Center is responsible for the sales and marketing of the conference center, which includes planning and overseeing events. Hours for this position may vary due to events and catering. This position is governed by state and federal laws and institution policy and reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration.
Salary: Annual salary of $55,000. Plus, excellent benefit package.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Responsible for event personnel, which includes full-time and part-time.
Duties and Responsibilities:
● Provides competitive, aggressive, and entrepreneurial marketing and sales leadership for the center while building essential internal and external relationships
● Oversees development and coordination of marketing collaterals to support conference center outreach and sales, including (but not limited to) updates to conference center website, print, audio and video media, and social media
● Coordinates a regional outreach (sales) program, including travel and sales presentations, to effectively secure short and long-term booking and maximize conference center usage while maintaining accounts
● Meets with prospective local, national, international, convention, trade, corporate, public, and gala show clients to sell space and services of the facility
● Gathers event information (leads) from phone calls, in-person interviews or e-mail (preferred) and enters into the EMS System for event build out
● Creates and oversees invoicing ensuring to ensure pricing and details are correct before sending the final invoice to vendors and to accounting office for further transactions and processing.
● Working in conjunction with the conference center director of operations:
○ Coordinates master calendar/ space availability information
○ Determines catering, food-service, and banquet options and pricing
○ Coordinates with caterers and clients
○ Attends and assists with events at the conference center as needed
○ Sends Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to all pertinent areas responsible for event coordination. This may include Set-up, Catering, IT, Security and A/V.
■ Makes necessary changes to BEOs as new event information is received and disseminate that accordingly
● Collaborates with conference center and other college personnel to determine facility and technology upgrade needs at the center
● Collaborates with local, state, regional, and national entities to develop partnerships which lead to increased use of center including (but not limited to) the El Dorado - Union County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street El Dorado, El Dorado Downtown Business Association, Murphy Arts District, Mystic Creek Golf Club, the City of El Dorado, the Arkansas Hospitality Association, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, etc.
● Develops, in conjunction with Vice President of Finance and Administration, as the College President as requested, goals and metrics used to monitor and report operational efficiencies and success of marketing and sales efforts
● Remains knowledgeable on current trends in conference center trends, amenities, sales techniques, etc.
● Participates in producing and delivering quarterly conference center performance reports (as outlined by the City) to the El Dorado Works Board, City of El Dorado, and the El Dorado Conference Center Advisory Committee
● Notifies clients of event confirmation
● Communicates event changes as necessary
● Secures a usage agreement from the client for all events
● Creates room cards for event identification
● Other duties as assigned
Skills and Abilities:
· Knowledge of convention, conference, exhibit, and other hosted-space best-practices
· Proven and demonstrable success in previous industry-specific sales, marketing, and/or management positions
· Strong customer service skills.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
· Proficiency in Microsoft office products and other management software.
Required Education and Experience:
· Associates’ degree in public relations, marketing, business administration, or related field
· Three years of supervisory and/or sales experience in conference center management, event management, tourism or related field
Preferred Education and Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, business administration, or related field
· Professional certifications (CASE, CEM, CMP, CVP, etc.) and/or active engagement with industry organizations (ASAE, IAEE, IAVM, MPI, PCMA, etc.)
Physical Requirements:
This position requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking. Must be able to lift at least 25 lbs. or more.
APPLICATION PROCESS (PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS TO APPLY):
Applicants must complete the South Arkansas College application form available at www.southark.edu/jobs. Resumes, transcripts, and reference list may accompany, but will not replace the application.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications are subject to the Arkansas FOIA. South Arkansas College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. South Arkansas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in the provision of educational or employment opportunities or benefits.
The college is in compliance with titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and all other federal and state laws related to equal opportunity practices.
The selected candidate will be required to submit to a criminal background check and must receive acceptable results. They must also provide any relevant certificates of training or licenses (if applicable), official transcripts (for positions requiring undergraduate or graduate education), and possess a clean driving record. All new hire paperwork must be completed prior to the start date. This is a safety-sensitive position and subject to drug testing.
Pay: $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
