GSMR Special Events and Entertainment Manager

Division/Department: Special Events

Job Title: Special Events and Entertainment Manager

Reports To: Directly to Marketing Manager and Co-Reports to Vice President & General Manager and Business Manager

Type of position: Non-Exempt, Hourly

Employee Classification: Regular

Location: Bryson City, NC

Compensation: $45,000 – 55,000 annually, Depending upon experience and certifications

Job Summary: Responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of special events, specialty trains and entertainment as outlined by Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and/or appropriate licensor.

Benefits Offered: The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a comprehensive Medical/Rx, dental and vision package with company-funded H.S.A. (for qualified employees), Life/AD&D Insurance, Long/Short Term Disability coverage, a 401K with company-match and a generous PTO plan. SHA and Pass Exchange program for complimentary admission to area attractions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with all licensed special event requirements.
• Planning, hands-on implementation, and immediate follow-up for all special events.
• Provide the necessary financial reports to monitor and maintain healthy profit and loss measurements.
• Actively lead in set-up and tear down of events in coordination with other departments including but not limited to Food and Beverage and Property Maintenance.
• Collaborate/partner with Marketing and Human Resources to hire, train, schedule, and manage all employment for events and onboard entertainment.
• Hands-on leadership and participation with Property Maintenance to design and upgrade all props and set items for event.
• Obtain all permits, rentals, outside services and approvals need to host events.
• Provide performance feedback and reviews, recognition and rewards to those employees that qualify.
• Assist in the implementation of specialty packages to increase sales for various outside groups. Ex: Charters, Weddings, Social Clubs, Educational, etc.
• During events work across departments to ensure the event meet GSMR goal and standards.
• Partner with Marketing to drive attendance to Special Events.
• Work to develop and expand already implemented specialty trains as well as brainstorm new ideas and options.
• Work with all necessary departments and vendors to provide materials needed for onsite events and activities. Ex: Event maps, directional and informational signage, performance schedules etc.
• Identify additional sources of funding and sponsorships for events, when needed.
• Act as the main contact onsite for all events. In conjunction with reservations, handle and respond to any customer service issues, whether onsite or after event.
• Work with the safety department to ensure that all company policies and safety parameters are met.
• Keep inventory of all event supplies before, during and after events.
• At Human Resources’ request help implement special internal events for GSMR staff.
• Edit and review promotional materials at the discretion of management.
• Other duties as requested by GSMR/American Heritage Railways management.

Outside Group Sales

• Oversee Outside Group Sales Position to ensure that vendor relationships with tour directors, escorts, and group travel vendors are met.
• Ensure that daily tasks are performed with relation to marketing with mailers, emails and phone sales.
• Ensure that reservations are properly contracted and processed with payments in a timely manner according to group policies.
• Work to ensure that Company Outside Sales Goals are met.

Education, Skill and Work Experience Requirements:

• Three or more years of event management experience preferred.
• College degree or further educational certification in liberal arts, public relations, communications, business, marketing or hospitality and tourism.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time.
• Experience and commitment to working with shared leadership.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English, possessing good leadership and interpersonal skills with proven ability to supervise people.
• Must be proficient in MS Office 365 applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule with night, weekend and holiday hours.
• Work in various weather situations.
• Have a basic knowledge of lighting and sound design, preferred.
• Must be able to lift at least 50lbs.
• Must be willing to work, learn, and problem solve independently.
• Willingness to earn knowledge base as a Level 1 Sommelier.

Tools and Equipment Use:

• Computer, fax, printer, multi-line phone system, 2-way radio communication
• Sound Mixing Software (Qlab, Mixpad) experience preferred
• Lighting Design Software preferred.