Private Event Sales Director

Event Sales Manager

It is what you think it is! The primary focus of this position is to promote, book, and oversee private events. In our space, this can range from a 10-person private party, to full-buyout 900 person corporate events, to weddings - you can configure the space in so many different ways, virtually any type of event is in play. You’ll be responsible for helping drive the marketing approach, programming of different spaces, customer satisfaction and profitability, as it relates to private events and community programming.

In addition to fielding incoming inquiries, there are four key audiences we’re targeting for this sales position:

• Convention Center Relationships. Building relationships with the staff, building a strategy to connect with and book events with groups coming through the convention center in advance of their arrival.
• Lansing Business Community. Connect with local businesses and drive bookings for lunches, happy hours, company parties, etc.
• Lobbyists and Legislature. They gotta eat somewhere. We’re steps from the Capitol and a new option. Go out and lobby the lobbyists to bring their business this way.
• Michigan State Community. We’re fifteen minutes from 40,000 people who love to eat, drink and have a good time. Develop strategies to draw these communities to our space.

Let’s go!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Field incoming event inquiries, communicate with clients, working with them to create a package that meets their needs, and book their event. Responses to any incoming inquiries should be under an hour during business hours.
• Develop proactive sales initiatives; from cold-calling, to networking, to unique promotions. Develop ideas on how we can continue to grow the events side of the business.
• Coordinate execution of events - working with GM, bar manager, staff, our restaurants, and third party vendors as needed. Clear communication and holding everyone accountable is a must.
• Prepare all required paperwork (Contracts, BEOs, Invoices, Sales reports) in an organized and timely manner.
• Prepare, complete, and convey bill to the customer at the completion of the function and collect final payment.
• Direct breakdown and cleanup after the event - and mentor staff to step into this role as your surrogate.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and customer surveys to determine how future events could be improved.
• Help mentor staff and coach any staff members interested in getting into the event sales and planning field. We would like to grow your support staff from within, where possible. You are not alone!
• Assist, give input on and help execute DSC marketing initiatives for private event sales.
• Build community relationships. What clubs, groups, communities can you help build a relationship with and bring into our space. Think as small as a book club, to as large as the MSU greek system.
• Seek out and coordinate additional ticketed programming and promotional partners. Late night dance party? Dueling pianos? Everything is on the table.
• Provide detailed reporting on the state of the private events business. What’s working, what’s not, what do we need to change.
• Help shape the culture, processes and future of Lansing Shuffle. You will be a part of our leadership team.

Compensation

Competitive salary commission structure with bonus.

Health, dental, vision.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Be available to be onsite 5 days a week, either to execute events, host tours, or work with the team on proactive outreach.
• 3 years working as an event planner / in event sales / sales / hospitality. Experience in high volume business a plus.
• Strong customer service personality.
• Highly motivated, proactive sales mindset - always be closing. And do not wait for leads to come to you.
• Knowledge of food and beverage, and event execution.
• Creative problem solver.
• Microsoft Office & Google Docs: Word, Excel, Outlook & Powerpoint
• Skilled at shuffleboard a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with hospitality software (Tripleseat, Stripe, Toast).
• Strong connections in the Lansing event and business community - planners, corporate contacts, etc. How’s your rolodex?
• Experience with CRM, tracking, developing and converting leads.
• Graphics and publishing software a plus (Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop, Microsoft Publisher, SquareSpace)
• Comfortable with ambiguity and interested in building something new
• Food and Beverage menu creation experience
• Bachelor’s Degree

Lansing Shuffle is a 10,000 square foot food hall and social club, located on Grand River, steps from the Convention Center, Jackson Park, and the Capitol. We feature seven restaurants, two full service bars and shuffleboard! We’re building a diverse staff of positive, enthusiastic team members who care about the Lansing community. If you want to be a part of building our culture, shaping our processes and defining a cornerstone of the community, apply within.