Logo
Grand Rapids Downtown Market

Director of Sales and Events

Grand Rapids Downtown Market, Grand Rapids, Michigan, us, 49528


Craving a career path that promotes personal growth, professional development, and delicious opportunity? The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a vibrant workplace that strives to be a little different than your usual office environment. Our day-to-day revolves around the perfect balance of food, fun, and foundational support.

Join a fun loving team of people that go the extra mile, thrive on collaboration, and are excited about the amazing food community that is present in the heart of Grand Rapids. We are proud to be a part of this community through our innovative 18-merchant Market Hall, world-class corporate and wedding venue spaces, year round free public events, and the entrepreneurial support of our rentable Incubator Kitchen that helps small food businesses turn their passion into a profession.

We offer a robust benefits package including a variety of various insurances including medical, dental, vision, along with life, long term and short term disability. We also provide a generous PTO and Holiday schedule that helps you achieve the crucial work/life balance employees need. Our 401k retirement savings plan includes a company match and professional guidance to help you prepare for your future and find your own recipe for success.

We are in search of a

Director of Sales and Events

to join our amazing team. In this role you will be instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications designed to strengthen the Grand Rapids Downtown Market's private and public events, sales, and beverage programs. This role focuses on leading and directing all event sales efforts, ensuring that sales goals are met, while also overseeing the execution of private and public event programs. The Director will oversee a team that includes the private events and beverage manager, and event sales. This position will report directly to the Integrator (COO)

The duties and responsibilities of the position will consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

Contribute to the organization's overall vision, mission, values, beliefs, and strategic goals

Participate in executive team decisions and critical conversations.

Maintain an extensive network of community connections and strategic partnerships

Develop organizational improvements designed to streamline internal systems / procedures

Ensure alignment of high-level organizational priorities with strong day-to-day operations

Program Leadership, Execution, and Development

Oversee day-to-day operations and administration of the department

Provide weekly and monthly sales activity reports

Develop and monitor departmental budgets including revenue and expenditures

Formulate and implement all plans that guide the direction of the department

Work with the marketing department to develop event marketing strategies

Private Event Sales

Build, implement, and ensure both short-term and long-term sales strategies

Prospect new event sales opportunities and establish and manage client base

Develop and maintain relationships with key clients to generate and grow business

Manage client correspondence and conduct follow-ups in a timely manner

Organize and attend client meetings

Administrative Oversight/Staff Development

Lead, guide, direct, and evaluate the work of both direct and indirect reports, while developing staff to the next level.

Evaluate the success of direct reports through measurable goals, KPIs, and reporting.

Guide and mentor team members to ensure sales growth and goals are met.

Ensure event logistics teams and vendors provide flawless execution.

Ensure detailed, accurate, and timely departmental and interdepartmental communication as it relates to all aspects of event rentals.

Train sales and coordinator staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Work Experience:

Minimum 10 years of experience in leading and directing sales and events, with a proven track record of achieving goals and building effective relationships. Experience executing private events, public events and/or festivals.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in business, hospitality, event planning or related field

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in Google Workspace, and CRM software.

Organization Skills:

Ability to develop and prioritize goals, organize, and accomplish work.

Communication Skills:

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; excellent sales, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Leadership Skills:

Strong and collaborative leadership skills; ability to mentor and motivate team members.

Physical, Mental and Visual Abilities:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Manual dexterity to manipulate keyboard, mouse, and other technology. The Director of Sales and Events will possess excellent oral comprehension skills; the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences They may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Physical Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typical office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Work Experience:

Experience in beverage management.

Certification:

Any of the following certifications: CMP - Certified Meeting Professional; PMP Project Management Professional

Computer Skills:

Salesforce experience, Mac OS proficiency

EEOC Statement:

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market provides equal employment opportunity for all regardless of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, height, weight, color, gender expression, gender identity, genetic testing status, and any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions. In addition, laws regarding veterans’ status are observed. This is reflected in all Grand Rapids Downtown Market practices and policies regarding hiring, training, promotions, transfers, rates of pay, layoff, and other forms of compensation. All matters relating to employment are based upon ability to perform the job, as well as dependability and reliability upon hire.

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will take action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. Such employment practices include but are not limited to; hiring, promotion, transfer, recruitment, selection, layoff, furlough, leave of absence, disciplinary action, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and training and development opportunities. Any team member with questions or concerns about any type of discrimination in the workplace is encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of their immediate supervisor or Human Resources without fear of reprisal. Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including termination.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee discount

Flexible schedule

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Evenings as needed

Holidays

Monday to Friday

Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

#J-18808-Ljbffr