Director of Event Sales

SSA Group at Dallas Zoo is looking for a talented Director of Event Sales to join our team!

Please note that for this position, we accept applications on an ongoing basis. There is no set deadline for submitting your application. We encourage interested candidates to apply at any time via our website at thessagroup.com, and we will review applications as they are received. This approach allows us to continuously consider potential candidates and ensures that opportunities remain open until the ideal candidate is found.

Job Title: Director, Event Sales

Department: Catering

Reports to: General Manager

Number of Direct Reports: 0-4

WHO ARE WE:

SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry.

SSA was built by families, for families, with a family’s sense of love and dedication. We don’t just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve, deserve it.

Job Summary

The Director of Event Sales is responsible for driving sales and revenue growth by promoting and selling the venue and catering services. This role involves developing and implementing sales strategies, building strong client relationships, and ensuring the successful execution of events. The Director of Event Sales will lead a team, manage vendor relations, and oversee financial performance to meet and exceed sales targets. This position requires a dynamic individual with excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills, dedicated to delivering exceptional client experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Sales and Client Acquisition:

• Develop and implement strategies to sell the venue and catering services to new and returning clients.
• Solicit, negotiate, and book events through a defined sales process.
• Plan and upsell functions with clients, including space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes, and decorations.
• Respond to client requests promptly and ensure client satisfaction.
  
  

Client Relationship Management:

• Prepare and manage contracts, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), diagrams, and other necessary documents.
• Maintain strong, positive relationships with clients to encourage repeat business.
• Conduct post-event follow-ups to engage clients and foster continued development.
• Work closely with clients to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions.
  
  

Event Coordination:

• Coordinate with the operations and culinary teams to ensure events are executed flawlessly including menu planning, setup, staffing, and equipment.
• Walk event spaces before events to ensure everything is in working order and address any issues promptly.
• Maintain communication with vendors and uphold an active list of resources for client and internal use.
  
  

Team Management:

• Hire, recruit, and integrate new team members.
• Supervise assigned personnel, evaluate performance, and provide coaching and development.
• Develop training programs to motivate and mentor employees.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with the Catering Operations, Culinary Team, and other departments involved in events, implementing new strategies and procedures where necessary.
  
  

Operational Excellence:

• Maintain communication with the General Manager, Catering Managers, and Executive Chef to ensure events are executed flawlessly.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.
  
  

Vendor and Resource Management:

• Maintain communication with vendors, including pricing knowledge and negotiation.
• Uphold an active list of resources for client and internal operational use.
  
  

Financial Management:

• Develop, meet, and exceed monthly and annual sales budgets and plans.
• Analyze sales and inventory to maximize opportunities.
• Practice and implement yield management and forecasting regularly.
• Review all invoices, bills, and accounting-related documents for accuracy and communicate necessary changes to Accounts Receivable.
• Minimize controllable costs associated with the operation.
  
  

Reporting and Analysis:

• Report weekly and monthly sales through the contract system and SSA standard PACE reporting.
  
  

Social Responsibility:

• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the unit.
• Support sustainability and conservation efforts in business applications and provide teaching opportunities to unit staff.
• Drive community efforts through hiring, engagement activities, and focus on giving back.
  
  

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
  
  

IDEA Belonging

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, General Manager and HQ personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
  
  

Previous Experience

• Five years minimum catering sales, operations and/or event planning management in off-site catering, hotel or cultural attraction catering venue preferred.
• Knowledge and execution of BEOs. Working knowledge of Tripleseat is a plus.
• All education backgrounds eligible, must be 18 or older.
  
  

Don't meet every requirement? At SSA we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Compensation And Benefits

• Full-Time
• Salary – based on range in consideration of relevant job experience and certification/education; if position is physically in Colorado or California, salary range will be posted above following EPFEW Act
• Bonus eligible based on company guidelines
• Vacation or TAFW (time away from work) Plan – we want our team to take time as they need, so don’t accrue hours but rather give you freedom to schedule within scope of the business and your needs
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance; employee premiums applicable
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave
• Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on birthing event
• (4) Week fully paid Parental leave following birth, adoption or foster event, can be coupled with Birthing Parent Plan to extend above timeline
• 401k program, eligible for enrollment after (1) year of employment during January or June open enrollment periods, company is not matching at this time
• $75 monthly cell phone stipend
  
  

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.