Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Director of Events
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, us, 68197
Job Title:
Director of Events
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Hours:
Full-time (includes nights, weekends and holidays)
Summary:
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is seeking a highly driven leader to oversee the sales, planning, and execution of public and private events. The ideal candidate will use their creativity and expertise to curate delightful event experiences, bringing the joy of the Zoo to guests who desire a one-of-a-kind event experience at a world-renowned attraction. This role is crucial in building guest loyalty while sustaining the Zoo, delivering the highest event standards and guest satisfaction while achieving revenue goals and maximum profitability.
This role oversees the entire event staff, including sales and operations. The candidate will build relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure that the Zoos mission, animal collection, and internal stakeholders are represented and considered in event experiences. They will also build and maintain strong relationships with external vendors, such as rental companies, liquor distributors, and caterers, ensuring a bench of reliable event partners. Examples of events this person will oversee include Late Nights at the Zoo, Ghouls & Glow, Zoolightful, weddings, picnics, corporate functions, and birthday parties.
The individual in this role will be required to support events year-round, including non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and occasional holidays. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Events (VPCME).
Duties and Responsibilities:
Train, supervise, and develop event operations and sales team members.
Responsible for the direction in planning, coordinating, and executing large-scale Zoo events.
Develop and implement event and sales strategies that meet or exceed budget expectations for revenue goals and evaluate their success.
Maintain activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, lost business reports, and monthly analyses with regular updates to VPCME.
Regularly benchmark Zoo event offerings against the local market to ensure we remain competitive in the market.
Effectively communicates with necessary departments for client requests and deliverables.
Ensure that sales calls, property visits and presentations to current and prospective customers are positioned for success by maintaining high-quality event facilities and marketing materials.
Oversee the team management of client relationships through drafting proposals and contracts, responding to client inquiries, and detailing all event needs including, but not limited to, food and beverage requirements, entertainment, timing, audio-visual requirements, room set-up, and any additional outside vendors.
Ensure banquet event orders are accurate and provide all relevant information to departments.
Determine proper staffing needs for set-up and fulfillment of each event and manage priorities and workflow.
Responsible for compliance with all State of Nebraska Liquor Laws through proper bartender training, beverage sales product distribution, and effective governance.
With VPCME, is responsible for the development and maintenance of all event strategies, policies, procedures, and quality standards within the department to ensure a high-quality, cost-effective, and guest-driven operation.
Qualifies, negotiates and maintains effective working relationships with preferred vendors to ensure the success of each event to Zoo standards.
Promotes property and company opportunities through personal involvement in community partnerships through events and sales.
Respond to guest inquiries and feedback in a timely manner, ensuring satisfaction and resolving critical issues.
Fill in where necessary to fulfill any duties that are required to make the event successful.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
College graduate with a degree in Business, Hospitality, Marketing, or a related field.
A minimum of 8 years of experience in event planning, hospitality, and/or food and beverage service.
Previous staff supervisory experience; must be able to lead a team efficiently.
Ability to work with all levels of the organization.
Works with Safety and Security teams to establish and implement an effective training program that incorporates Standard Operating Procedures for each facility.
Ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage multiple priorities in a demanding work environment.
Proven sales experience and event planning and execution.
Familiarity with different sales techniques and pipeline management.
Administrative training in hotel and/or restaurant management is helpful.
Excellent communication skills in all aspects: verbal, written, and non-verbal.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to collaborate and work effectively with diverse internal and external clients.
Appropriate, professional appearance and presentation.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities.
Proven ability to oversee multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
Strong computer knowledge with working experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Must have a valid drivers license.
Working Conditions:
While primarily normal business hours are maintained, year-round availability during non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and occasional holidays is required.
Must be able to walk long distances across the Zoo. Will move between multiple venues and work areas.
This position works primarily in an indoor environment; however, some responsibilities may require outdoor work in varied weather conditions.
Physical effort may be required. This includes the ability to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above the head, and climb.
Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally up to 50 lbs. using safe and proper lifting methods.
DISCLAIMER
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Events
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Hours:
Full-time (includes nights, weekends and holidays)
Summary:
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is seeking a highly driven leader to oversee the sales, planning, and execution of public and private events. The ideal candidate will use their creativity and expertise to curate delightful event experiences, bringing the joy of the Zoo to guests who desire a one-of-a-kind event experience at a world-renowned attraction. This role is crucial in building guest loyalty while sustaining the Zoo, delivering the highest event standards and guest satisfaction while achieving revenue goals and maximum profitability.
This role oversees the entire event staff, including sales and operations. The candidate will build relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure that the Zoos mission, animal collection, and internal stakeholders are represented and considered in event experiences. They will also build and maintain strong relationships with external vendors, such as rental companies, liquor distributors, and caterers, ensuring a bench of reliable event partners. Examples of events this person will oversee include Late Nights at the Zoo, Ghouls & Glow, Zoolightful, weddings, picnics, corporate functions, and birthday parties.
The individual in this role will be required to support events year-round, including non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and occasional holidays. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Events (VPCME).
Duties and Responsibilities:
Train, supervise, and develop event operations and sales team members.
Responsible for the direction in planning, coordinating, and executing large-scale Zoo events.
Develop and implement event and sales strategies that meet or exceed budget expectations for revenue goals and evaluate their success.
Maintain activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, lost business reports, and monthly analyses with regular updates to VPCME.
Regularly benchmark Zoo event offerings against the local market to ensure we remain competitive in the market.
Effectively communicates with necessary departments for client requests and deliverables.
Ensure that sales calls, property visits and presentations to current and prospective customers are positioned for success by maintaining high-quality event facilities and marketing materials.
Oversee the team management of client relationships through drafting proposals and contracts, responding to client inquiries, and detailing all event needs including, but not limited to, food and beverage requirements, entertainment, timing, audio-visual requirements, room set-up, and any additional outside vendors.
Ensure banquet event orders are accurate and provide all relevant information to departments.
Determine proper staffing needs for set-up and fulfillment of each event and manage priorities and workflow.
Responsible for compliance with all State of Nebraska Liquor Laws through proper bartender training, beverage sales product distribution, and effective governance.
With VPCME, is responsible for the development and maintenance of all event strategies, policies, procedures, and quality standards within the department to ensure a high-quality, cost-effective, and guest-driven operation.
Qualifies, negotiates and maintains effective working relationships with preferred vendors to ensure the success of each event to Zoo standards.
Promotes property and company opportunities through personal involvement in community partnerships through events and sales.
Respond to guest inquiries and feedback in a timely manner, ensuring satisfaction and resolving critical issues.
Fill in where necessary to fulfill any duties that are required to make the event successful.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
College graduate with a degree in Business, Hospitality, Marketing, or a related field.
A minimum of 8 years of experience in event planning, hospitality, and/or food and beverage service.
Previous staff supervisory experience; must be able to lead a team efficiently.
Ability to work with all levels of the organization.
Works with Safety and Security teams to establish and implement an effective training program that incorporates Standard Operating Procedures for each facility.
Ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage multiple priorities in a demanding work environment.
Proven sales experience and event planning and execution.
Familiarity with different sales techniques and pipeline management.
Administrative training in hotel and/or restaurant management is helpful.
Excellent communication skills in all aspects: verbal, written, and non-verbal.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to collaborate and work effectively with diverse internal and external clients.
Appropriate, professional appearance and presentation.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities.
Proven ability to oversee multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
Strong computer knowledge with working experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Must have a valid drivers license.
Working Conditions:
While primarily normal business hours are maintained, year-round availability during non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and occasional holidays is required.
Must be able to walk long distances across the Zoo. Will move between multiple venues and work areas.
This position works primarily in an indoor environment; however, some responsibilities may require outdoor work in varied weather conditions.
Physical effort may be required. This includes the ability to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above the head, and climb.
Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally up to 50 lbs. using safe and proper lifting methods.
DISCLAIMER
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
#J-18808-Ljbffr