Manager, Event Sales

Busch Gardens is a place of thrills, fun and positive, lasting memories. And that's just what its like to work here! As a key member of our team, you'll play a major role in bringing happiness and excitement to people from around the world. If you're dedicated, dependable and driven to deliver exceptional guest service, this is a place for you!

Manager, Event Sales (Parks)

At SeaWorld, we’re passionate about caring for animals. In fact, we’ve already rescued over 40,000 animals (and counting!). And we can save you from being stuck in just another job. Join us and help bring joy, excitement, and lasting memories to people from around the world. We’re seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, and hard-working individuals in a wide variety of roles. Join us and play an important part on our incredible team!

What you get to do:

• Responsible for driving attendance and revenue for private events and group tickets to meet aggressive revenue goals
• Responsible for analyzing, making strategic recommendations, and implementing business development plans
• Manage client relationships and to create leads
• Create proposals that match park offerings to fit client needs
• Implement strategic sales plan that shows the unique experiences that differentiate our parks from competitive offerings and attract higher profit events
• Collaborate with event services team and park departments to meet clients’ needs
• Support event services team with on site event logistics when needed to include working some nights, weekends, and holidays
• Negotiate and draft contract/agreements with clients
• Partner with revenue management team on pricing to meet park revenue goals and clients’ budgets  
• Maintain timely and consistent client-focused communication
• Conduct sales calls to generate catering and event revenue via meeting planners, hotels, destination management companies and professional industry associations
• Showcase the park’s unique location to potential clients through site inspections to secure business
• Represent the park in key industry organizations, including where possible Board or Committee positions of influence, at trade shows and other events
• Develops and implements effective and ongoing sales calls and sales blitz to new and top producing clients
• Increases market awareness
• Stays abreast of market and industry trends and changes
• Work alongside marketing department to promote park offerings including new attractions, seasonal consumer events, and offerings
• Other duties as assigned

What it takes to succeed:

• Must have at least 3 years’ experience in sales or events. Experience in hospitality or theme parks is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, hospitality, or event management and/or combined equivalent of education and experience.
• Self-motivated to achieve aggressive sales goals
• Previous sales training with inside and outside sales experience
• High proficiency using MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint to complete professional presentations
• Experience managing and closing sales-cycles
• Project management skills and understanding how to manage the priorities of multiple stakeholders in a complex environment and focus on the delivery of results in the form of sales and leads.
• Ability to prepare and update a sales action plan indicating all future efforts, goals and objectives.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects to completions while seizing emerging opportunities.
• Ability to work with various departments and within varying organizational structures to achieve common goals
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team selling environment
• Previous event services experience is a plus
• A strong work ethic and the ability be professional at all times
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills
• Extremely detail oriented and great time management skills
• The ability to learn quickly, work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a deadline driven environment
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment driving guidelines
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include opening and late evening hours, weekends, and holidays with limited travel required

The perks of the position:

• Paid Time Off
• Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
• Park Discounts on Food and Merchandise
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K Retirement plan
• Voluntary Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistanc