What are the responsibilities and job description for the Event Producer / Private Event Sales Manager position at FTL War Memorial?
Organization Overview:
The Florida Panthers enter their 33rd season in 2026-27 as one of the National Hockey League’s premier franchises. As back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2024 and 2025, the Cats have emerged victorious in 11 of their past 12 postseason series and have captured four Eastern Conference championships. The Panthers are led by President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Bill Zito entering his seventh season, and President of Business Operations Michael White who begins his first full season.
As the NHL’s southernmost team, the Panthers operate four facilities in Broward County, Florida: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise; the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs; the state-of-the-art Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale; and the renovated War Memorial Auditorium, which hosts concerts and events for the South Florida faithful year-round.
An organization with deep roots in the community, the Panthers are owned by Vincent J. Viola, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Emphasizing a culture of selfless service both on and off the ice, the Panthers pillar program, “Heroes Among Us,” honors a United States military veteran at every game. The Florida Panthers Foundation focuses on four core pillars: veterans’ affairs; children’s health and education; raising awareness for the endangered Florida Panther; and growing youth hockey throughout the region. The Panthers remain committed to empowering our fans to live sustainably and to strengthen the resiliency of our diverse communities throughout Florida and the tri-county area.
- Organization: Florida Panthers Hockey Club
- Department: Live Entertainment
- Reports To: Director of Private Event Sales
- FLSA Status: Exempt (Salaried)
- Employment Type: Full-Time
- Location: FTL War Memorial, Fort Lauderdale, FL — On-Site
- Schedule: Flexibility required for evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
The Event Producer / Private Event Sales Manager will be based at the War Memorial Auditorium to develop self-curated events and drive private event sales business across both the War Memorial Auditorium and Amerant Bank Arena.
This role is responsible for two complementary revenue streams: (1) driving private event sales — corporate functions, galas, weddings, conferences, brand activations, premieres, fundraisers, social gatherings, and more — across both venues, and (2) ideating, producing, and executing self-curated, ticketed and non-ticketed proprietary events that activate the buildings and elevate their positions as premier South Florida entertainment destinations.
The ideal candidate combines a strong sales and hospitality background with a producer's instinct to build a pipeline of business and close private event bookings. This is a high-visibility role that works cross-functionally with Live Entertainment, Marketing, Premium Sales, Food & Beverage, Operations, and the broader Panthers organization.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities Private Event Sales- Generate, qualify, and close private event business for War Memorial Auditorium and Amerant Bank Arena, achieving or exceeding established quarterly and annual revenue targets
- Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline through proactive outbound prospecting, inbound lead response, networking, trade shows, industry associations, and strategic partnerships with local DMCs, hotels, planners, and corporate decision-makers
- Conduct site tours, prepare custom proposals and contracts, and negotiate terms in coordination with legal and finance
- Manage client relationships from first contact through contract, planning, execution, and post-event follow-up to drive repeat business and referrals
- Maintain accurate records in CRM; produce regular pipeline, forecast, and revenue reports
- Conceive, pitch, build P&Ls for, and produce proprietary in-house events
- Identify and negotiate with talent, agents, vendors, and sponsors; manage offers, contracts, riders, and settlements in partnership with the Live Entertainment booking team
- Build full event budgets, manage to those budgets, and deliver positive contribution margin on every self-curated production
- Partner with Marketing, Ticketing, PR, and Social to develop go-to-market plans, ticket pricing strategies, on-sale calendars, and promotional campaigns
- Oversee show production: advance, run-of-show, vendor coordination, F&B integration, experience design, and load-out
- Assist the Director of Private Event Sales, Sr. Director of Live Entertainment, and SVP of Live Entertainment with departmental initiatives, reporting, strategic planning, and special projects as assigned
- Collaborate closely with Event Services, Operations, Security, Box Office, F&B, and Building Engineering to ensure flawless execution
- Represent the Florida Panthers, Amerant Bank Arena, and War Memorial Auditorium at industry events and within the South Florida business community
- Maintain current knowledge of competitive set and pricing positioning
- Other duties as assigned
- Supervise staff to ensure the success of private and self-curated events
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- 3–5 years of experience in venues, events, and/or the hospitality industry
- Hard working with the ability to multi-task and work long hours including weekends
- Passion to work in the event and hospitality industry
This is a full-time exempt (salaried) position. Must be able to work flexible hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
At the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Arena Operating Company, Panthers IceDen, Sanza Food Service, War Memorial Benefit Corporation, and FLA Team Shop, we strive to make every employee feel valued and respected for who they are and the unique contributions they make. We believe that a diverse and inclusive company is a more innovative and successful company, which is why we aim to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) into all aspects of our culture and our business.
We welcome all to apply and join our team.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.