Description

Job Description:

The Entertainment Manager is responsible for assuring high-quality entertainment performances and experiences throughout Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay. This role will manage Entertainment Hosts and be responsible for sourcing, contracting, and managing third-party performers while ensuring policies and procedures are followed. This position requires overseeing the required daily logistics of the park’s entertainment programs successfully. 

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be able display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Kentucky Kingdom Company culture, by being patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.

Job Responsibilities:

Product/Guest Excellence

• Follow and manage established annual budgets for new and existing entertainment offerings to support the Company’s business objectives, including booked entertainment, operating, and labor budgets.
• Serve in the role of show producer and manager to assure adherence to the agreed upon creative direction and high quality of performance while making sure all entertainment offerings are consistent with the Kentucky Kingdom brand.
• Take the appropriate actions to maintain excellence of assigned entertainment activities throughout the operating season. Excellence in this area is defined by following the creative direction provided by the park’s Marketing and Creative Studios teams under the direction of the department’s Director and ensuring that all areas are “show ready” to a high level of excellence during operation.
• Maintain show quality by observing and maintaining shows, equipment props, wardrobes, and operating supplies
• Adhere to the direction and contract requirements established for booked performers, including run-of-show, adherence to performer riders, maintenance of dressing room and back-of house spaces, cleanliness and presentation of front-of-house spaces, operation, maintenance, inventory and inspection of park-owned and rented equipment
• Activation and operation of park-curated entertainment experiences; including, but not limited to, trick-or-treat activation, parades, pop-up performances, special events and festivals
• Provide audio/visual setup and support for special events, announcements, booked groups, picnics, media events and awards ceremonies
• Oversee and manage the park’s character/mascot interaction activations, including staffing, training, escorting and scheduling. Maintain costume characters and mascot equipment
• Festival setup and strike, including, but not limited to, Red, White and Bluegrass, Fireworks at Kentucky Kingdom, Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom, Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom, and Petal Palooza

Employee Relations

• Directly supervise and provide leadership for designated show/activity operations staff which includes Senior Supervisors, Supervisors, and Entertainment Hosts.
• Implement the hiring, training and supervision of Entertainment Personnel.
• Create an atmosphere of openness, participation, caring, appreciation and flexible leadership that invites employees to do their best.
• Resolve employee conflicts and complaints.
• Develop and empower high potential employees for promotion to areas of increased responsibility.
• Be an effective communicator and strong listener.
• Monitor and enforce approved safety procedures for employees and guests.
• Monitor total park operations and solve problems as Entertainment PIC.
• Participate in Entertainment Staff, Production, Casting and Creative Meetings as required for in-house productions
• Assist with selections and casting within Auditions as required for in-house productions
• Performing special projects/duties as directed by Director of Safety and Security, e.g. concert operations, auditions, inventories, show set-ups/strikes, employee incentive programs, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.
•  Management reserves the right to change and/or add to these duties at any time

Essential Job Skills:

• Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employees.
• Must reflect Kentucky Kingdom’s brand image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in work.
• Must be self-motivated and disciplined.
• Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information.
• Must be committed to continuous improvement.
• Must have professional appearance with good personal hygiene.
• Must promote and support a “team” work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers.
• Must be productive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelines.
• Must be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skills.
• Must show appreciation of others.
• Able to get along with other employees to work out problems and resolve conflicts.
• Able to comprehend instructions and retain information.
• Able to perform duties consistent with creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests. 
• Able to be flexible to handle frequent changes in priorities.
• Able to communicate effectively using standard English grammar and punctuation
• Able to tolerate various temperatures while working indoors and outdoors.
• Able to operate/drive a company vehicle with valid driver’s license and insurance.
• Able to meet the physical demands of the job.

Requirements

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent. Some college preferred
• Prior experience with entertainment operations and/or productions.
• Ability to supervise others and provide motivation and leadership. Supervisory experience required.
• Excellent leadership, customer service, and communication skills.
• Able to use a PC
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook or other desktop publishing software.
• 18 years of age or older
• Ability to understand and apply basic math skills for use in budgets, schedules and time sheets.
• Ability to speak, read and write in English.
• Must pass criminal background check.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to continuously walk and stand for up to 8 hours a day.
• Physical ability to frequently bend frequently 2.5 – 5.5 hours a day.
• Physical ability to occasionally sit and squat 0.25 – 2.5 hours a day.
• Ability to continuously withstand extreme weather conditions including heat, humidity, cold, precipitation and wind up to 8 hours a day.
• Physical ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds with assistance .25 – 2.5 hours a day.
• Participation in all required training sessions
• Ability to tolerate noise and stress to accommodate assisting large numbers of customers.