Director of Events & Entertainment

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive entertainment vision that elevates the guest experience across the entire resort. 

• Continuously raise the standards of entertainment offerings by introducing fresh concepts, immersive experiences and industry-leading programming. 

• Build a culture of creativity, excellence, and collaboration within the Events and Entertainment department. 

• Design, develop, and execute signature seasonal events including holiday celebrations, festivals, themed weekends, concerts, and special activations. 

• Create new annual traditions that strengthen the resort’s reputation. 

• Develop event concepts from ideation through execution, including budgeting, logistics, staffing, programming, and post-event evaluation. 

• Support social media and digital content by creating visually engaging and shareable guest experiences. 

• Maintain a balanced annual events calendar that drives occupancy, repeat visitation, and community engagement. 

• Act as a steward and key leader for reinforcing our Lead with Love culture as well as provide leadership to inspire others to Create Memories Worth Repeating® for our guests. 

• Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with performers, production companies, entertainers, and vendors. 

• Ensure operational consistency across all guest touch-points. 

• Create a culture focused on hospitality, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

• Champion the Herschend Heartspitality culture with a focus on engagement, development, retention, and service excellence. 

• Create and support clear lines of responsibility for management team, including coverage and oversight throughout the day. 

• Review and follow up, when necessary, on all guest surveys, comments, social postings, etc. to ensure our NPS goals are achieved.  

• Resolve complex operational and guest service issues when necessary. 

• Foster a culture of safety for guests and associates. 

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. 

Financial Leadership 

• Develop and manage multi-million-dollar operating budgets and prepare monthly forecasts. 

• Participate in annual strategic planning and long-range business initiatives. 

• Manage the flow of labor between departments to support effective management of the labor budget and achievement of profitability goals. 

• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through process improvements, operational efficiencies, and strategic investments. 

• Collaborate with Finance on forecasting, capital planning, and long-term financial strategy. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Entertainment, Event Management, or related field preferred. 

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality, entertainment, event management, destination resorts, theme parks, or large-scale mixed-use operations. 

• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role. 

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets and capital expenditures. 

• Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing leadership teams. 

• Excellent strategic planning, organizational, and decision-making skills. 

• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities.