Director of Private Events | Seattle Aquarium

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the world's leading arena development, management, and hospitality company founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff to disrupt business as usual. As the largest developer of sports and entertainment facilities in the world, OVG prioritizes the way we do business focusing on making long-term investments in our people and our planet. We focus on building a diverse workforce and cultivating an inclusive workplace. Each day our team members around the world and throughout our local communities work together to provide the greatest experience to our fans and partners.

 

We celebrate and support a strong, transparent, authentic and inclusive culture focused around four core values:  

• We treat each other fairly and with respect.
• We act with integrity.
• We have an entrepreneurial spirit.
• We give back to our global community.

 

More information atOakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG onFacebook,Instagram,Twitter, andLinkedIn. 

Overview

TheDirector of Private Eventshas a primary duty of making corporate, convention, and social event sales and obtaining catering contracts for venue.  This position is responsible for leading, generating, managing and coordinating inside and outside catering sales, as well as initiating, directing and implementing marketing functions in the Catering Department.  This role will independently manage and oversee all aspects of full group operations from reservation, through contract negotiation and finalization, to group reception and event catering. This position will report to the General Manager.

 

The Director of Private Events maintains a positive and professional relationship with the Seattle Aquarium client, working together to achieve the goals for both entities. The Director of Private Events will handle sales and customer service issues including providing outstanding customer service; researching, resolving and clarifying invoice questions; and providing knowledgeable and appropriate suggestions regarding menu selections.  They will facilitate the flow of information internally, as well as communicate with all guests and vendors. Must be available to assist with general catering operations as needed.    

 

This role will pay a salary of $80,000 to $90,000.

 

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

 

This job closes on 1/3/2024

About the Venue

Oak View Group is the food services and hospitality partner of the Seattle Aquarium. The Seattle Aquarium is a conservation organization working to regenerate the health of Earth's one ocean. The Seattle Aquarium thoughtfully brings the ocean to life for the public with experiences that inspire awe, empathy, and conservation action. The Aquarium is the ninth largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Since opening, the Aquarium has hosted over 27 million visitors and provided marine conservation education to two million school children. The Aquarium's new Ocean Pavilion, opening in 2024, will be a central feature on the new Seattle waterfront.

OVG Hospitality is searching for a Director of Private Events to oversee Private Events sales and operations at the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, WA. The Director of Private Events will be a champion OVG representative in all our sustainability initiatives at the Aquarium, including:

 

• Zero waste by 2025
• 80% of purchases meet Seattle Aquarium's sustainable purchasing policy including zero single-use petroleum based plastic.
• Participation in regenerative working group.
• Fully electric appliance kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision makers, establish and develop strong and effective relationships with influencers through the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Prospect new business via previous contacts, networking, trade publications, resource guides, database companies and cold calls. Target local hospitality industry, i.e. event planners, corporate planners, and direct corporate level decision makers to sell Private Events.
• Coordinate and deliver effective sales presentations.
• Develop and implement new, creative ways to package social events for increased sales.
• Tour available spaces to prospective clients and actively sell venue locations.
• Independently sources, identifies, and pursues outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events, or special events attended by prospects.
• Responsible for negotiating, authoring, and submitting finalized contracts and BEOs to Client and Internal Staff.  
• Address or coordinate all Catering requirements and requests in a timely and helpful manner.
• Maintain accurate records for all Catering sales activities in conjunction with OVG policies and procedures.
• Communicate daily with Food & Beverage Manager, culinary staff, catering staff, and Operations Staff about the needs of our guests and their expectations.
• Maintain an extensive client database for follow-up sales calls and contact (in person, phone, email, mail, etc.)
• Assist with follow-up of guests' experience at the venue, ensuring that all issues have been addressed.
• Develop client relationships and enhance existing relationships to maintain renewal business.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of catered events as directed.
• Serves as primary group and convention contact once the contract is signed; approves any inventory or other changes, responds to questions or concerns in a timely manner.
• Assists with oversight of accounts receivable in conjunction with assigned events.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.), Culinary School, and/or Bachelors Degree preferred.
• Minimum 12 months related hospitality industry experience and/or training.
• 3 or more years in a sales role, with verifiable sales success.
• Demonstrated proficiency and successful experience in catering sales generation, contract negotiation and pricing, event scheduling, training, catering, banquets and menu development.
• Ability to work independently both on and off venue property with little supervision or oversight.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications (Microsoft Office programs with an emphasis on creating word documents, Excel spreadsheets, email); working knowledge of POS systems.
• Ability to adhere to high standard of business etiquette, professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to consistently represent the Company in a professional, positive and knowledgeable manner.
• Participate in hiring, mentoring and developing employees.
• Ability to adhere to highest standard of confidentiality and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to produce detail-oriented, accurate work.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, which may include weekends and evenings, as required to ensure outcome.
• Ability to travel to outside sales calls and/or events.
• Proven ability to make solid, appropriate and independent decisions.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

EEO

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

Employment Type: OTHER