Event Sales Director

A rare opportunity to join the City Winery team as we reimagine the future of live music and hospitality. City Winery to deliver the highest end combined culinary and cultural experience to our customers who are passionate in sharing wine, music, and culinary arts. We are a unique facility, combining a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food & wine classes, private events in a variety of configurations, and fine dining. We have created a compelling mix for our sophisticated clientele of foodies, and active cultural patrons—bringing the wine country experience to the middle of a large city.

Position Summary

The Event Director is responsible for overall private events operation and profitability in his/her venue, including strategy, planning and execution of events, soliciting sales, and successful achievement of annual budgeted profitability. This role seeks to exceed guest expectations and levels of hospitality, while maintaining the Company’s quality of standards. This role is responsible for leading and providing daily support to the events team in selling and planning unique and customized events for each client to ensure guests leave with a memorable experience. The Event Director collaborates with several internal departments to achieve success throughout the planning and execution process.

Why us?

• Competitive pay (Yearly salary $70K base plus heavy commission)
• We are a rapidly expanding national entertainment and hospitality company, offering tremendous opportunities for driven and ambitious individuals.
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance 
• nDORFins program designed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle
• 401K (and yes we match)
• Flexible Savings Accounts 
• HSA and Dependent Care
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance 
• An atmosphere of learning, development & enrichment opportunities. 
• Amazing discounts 

50% OFF all dining/retail wine 

Free Family Meal

Tickets to available shows

And more

Overview of Responsibilities

• Implement business growth strategies for all attainable markets, including weddings, corporate meetings & conferences, food & beverage industry events, the non-profit & fundraising circuit, and social event planners
• Proactively develop and maintain sales pipeline in various markets throughout the year to bring new business to City Winery
• Lead and support sales team’s outreach goals throughout the year to drive new business
• Attend relevant internal and external events to network and bring in new clientele to City Winery
• Effectively manage a full booking cycle of events from initial inquiry to client follow up to ensure guest and client satisfaction for each event
• Negotiate agreements and pricing with clients and vendors by prioritizing our business
• Create and collect all necessary documentation/ paperwork from client in a timely manner 
• Exhibit expertise in service procedures and be prepared to take on any operational role required for events
• Work with appropriate department team members to set service standards that will be applied universally 
• Clearly communicate setup needs to service managers (clearing furniture, silverware, etc.)
• Support sales team with full booking cycle for their respective events as needed
• Strong knowledge of event equipment rentals in NYC is necessary – facilitate orders per event as needed
• Develop & maintain relationships with vendors, including rental companies, bands, DJs, florists, photographers, caterers, parking garages, security companies, and bakeries
• Manage, lead, and train sales team including monitor performance and hold team accountable to standards
• Collaborate with Marketing Director for new ideas to target various industries and maintain annual marketing and social media calendar 
• Place holds strategically throughout the year on dates that are prime for large-scale private events and discuss the booking potential of those dates with Talent Buyer 
• Refer clients to Talent Buyer for assistance with booking bands for their events
• Manage, lead, and train sales team including monitor performance and hold team accountable to standards
• Recommend disciplinary action and/or terminate as needed, seeking approval from GM and HR as needed
• Recruitment and hiring of private events personnel 
• Conduct reviews of Event Department personnel on bi-annual basis
• Set F&B Minimums, staff pricing and pricing for all rentals (space, production, etc.) for event spaces as is most appropriate for business in the market, update as needed
• Plan and gain approval from GM for annual revenue budgets and monthly forecasts
• Initial setup of TripleSeat and maintain all aspects of the program on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain an Event Management & Event Sales SOP manual and reference guide
• Review and write copy / provide images for Private Events page on website; update as often as appropriate and review annually
• Maintain all contractual documentation for Private Events, including:
• Proposal templates
• Contract templates
• Turnover/Introduction Letters
• Private Event Policies
• Banquet Event Order templates
• Beverage Log templates
• Estimated & Final Invoice templates
• Thank You Letters
• Maintain all sales tools for Private Events, including all Brochures, Banquet Menus Beverage Packages, Wine Lists, Audio Visual Packages & Equipment, and Additional Sells (Custom Wine, Wine Blending, Wine/Culinary Activities, etc.)
• Provide positive and constructive feedback to all CW departments & teams based on survey results
• Responsible for fiscal success of private event department
• Maintain reports of all Private Event Costs of Goods (COGs) including food, beverage, staffing, rentals, Event Dept. salaries, audio/visual production and others items related to event production

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in event sales/management or equivalent relevant experience 
• Proven background in planning, strategizing and executing on-premise events from end to end
• Strong customer service orientation skills
• Proven revenue and budget management skills
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and results oriented
• Knowledge of practices and procedures of on-premise events 
• Ability to negotiate, influence and sell prospective clients
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Professional and effective interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, both written and oral
• Appreciation and general understanding of the music, food, and wine business
• Ability to work flexible schedule including nights, weekends, holidays if needed due to events
• Must be able to sit, stand and walk regularly
• Must be able to travel as needed
• Bachelor's degree preferred

About Us

Wine, food, and live entertainment collide at City Winery to create a dynamic and incredibly unique workplace. Since 2008, City Winery has been turning heads across the nation with amazing live performances, delectable cuisine, and award winning, locally produced wines. But there's more to us than that we're a haven for community and creativity, a place where the philosophy of hospitality is more than just a buzzword, but a way of life. City Winery, founded by music industry veteran & visionary Michael Dorf, has established itself as a one-of-a-kind brand providing unforgettable experiences for guests. From world class music venues to sustainably produced wines with ratings of 90+ points, City Winery offers a range of topnotch events & experiences.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at City Winery. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, City Winery participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.