Director of Marketing and Sales

SUMMARY

This position oversees all public relations, marketing and sponsorship development activities for the Blue Cross Arena.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Create advertising plans for events that maximize ticket sales and coordinate publicity for events and facilities. Work directly with promoters, tours and event planners to create advertising plans which include competitive media buying, design services, and promotional and trade development, website updates, e-blasts and other tools. Monitor ticket sales reports and reprioritize marketing efforts to maximize ticket sales for events using all assets available.

2. Establish strong working relationships with media partners to ensure that venue events are receiving the best rates, deal points and promotions to maximize the value the venue receives for the significant amount of money spent on advertising each year.

3. Direct the public relations image of the facility by writing press releases, maintaining website and social media copy, and creating e-blasts. Communicate regularly with clients, sponsors, customers, local media, and venue staff. Assist the Executive Director as spokesperson for VenuWorks as needed. Coordinate relevant personnel for earned media opportunities. Recognize opportunities to receive publicity from building operations, activities, awards/honors, etc. and share with relevant stakeholders.

4. Responsible for administration, planning, supervision of sponsorship staff that will generate sponsorship revenue through cold calls, presentations and meetings with small and large business owners. Use local contacts and research to generate leads and develop a message with new clients. Negotiate deals and customize pitches for each client. Inventory being sold to include billboard and digital signage, suite rentals, group ticket packages, banners, flags and kiosks, in-ice and dasher board ads, promotional "in-event" packages, unique customer concourse experiences, and in-kind trades for services and materials.

5. Manage account details for each client to ensure fulfillment is meeting sponsor's expectations including meeting with them on a regular or annual basis.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Operate the department with a conscious commitment to maximum exposure and ticket sales for the facility and its events, through the most effective means possible.

2. Direct and maintain the overall marketing and branding strategy at a national level, promoting individual venues to relevant industry partners throughout the country. Support booking & sales teams with collateral and sales materials.

3. Serve as "traffic director" as event announce/on-sale timelines are developed. Communicate with relevant internal and external stakeholders, taking into consideration activity across all four venues.

4. Oversee and execute day-of artist/tour relations, including creating a welcoming environment, gifts, coordinate trade shots, etc.

5. Maintain excellent communication with sales, box office and booking staff.

6. Act as a creative director with internal staff to develop marketing collateral as needed. Design and develop sales materials and presentations including, but not limited to, proposals and event/year-end wrap up reports.

7. Create and develop venue assets including website updates, digital images, printed materials, and other forms of promotion as needed.

8. Coordinate on-site marketing events including advancing show details, escorting media, contest winners, sponsors, and managing various event promotions and meet and greets.

9. Annually produce collaterals such as marketing plan, year-end recap, video and client parties, etc. as requested.

10. Responsible for maintaining cutting-edge status on new ideas or technologies related to the website, mobile apps, social media, advertising/media opportunities, promotional items

11. Recognize opportunities to receive publicity from building operations, activities, awards/honors, etc. and share with local, regional or national media and VenuWorks Corporate.

12. Work with staff to develop initiatives to increase sponsorship revenues. Track contract end dates and start working on contract renewals well in advance of expiration.

13. Keep detailed records of all client prospecting and display effective identification of prospects and follow up.

14. Provide weekly sales reports and revenue forecasting to the Director.

15. Provide venue tours to aid in obtaining new business and developing new relationships.

16. Prepare contract agreements and requests for invoices.

17. Responsible for all correspondence with premium seating clients and sponsors including event updates and ticket distribution.

18. Maintain brand standards of logo and name when used by outside parties in partnerships or sponsorships.

19. Aggressively seek new contacts and maintain working relationships with all media representatives, civic and industry organizations, corporate promotional contacts, and event and booking representatives.

20. Remains current on national industry trends and local market changes that affect the facility.

21. Create and compile post-event reports for show settlement including invoices, tear sheets, patron feedback and other related materials.

22. Provide answers to customer service inquiries to customers, clients, and sponsors about the facilities through website, social media, and other communication methods.

23. Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement signage as needed, including event-specific needs, food & beverage and larger, permanent opportunities.

24. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the full and part-time staff in the Sales and Marketing department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with VenuWorks policies and applicable laws. Responsible for interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding, disciplining in accordance with Human Resources, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

2. Ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and deadlines.

3. Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by events.

4. Maintain a positive attitude and work environment.

Work hours and schedule are generally Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm but will vary according to event schedules and the needs of the department, and may include holidays, evenings and weekends. Attendance at large events to guarantee efficient and quality operations will be required.

This position requires skill in meeting and/or exceeding the expectations, being articulate with well-developed communication skills and personal poise. This position requires excellent teamwork skills, working cooperatively with others in the accomplishment of joint tasks and common objectives. Contributes to a positive work environment, fosters collaboration and provides a tangible contribution.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

1. Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in marketing, communications, or public relations; or five years related experience and/or training in any aforementioned field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. A minimum of three to five years' previous experience. Knowledge of public and media relations, media buying, promotional and sales development and advertising, preferably in like industry.

3. Experience in graphic design through Adobe Creative Suite programs, such as Photoshop and InDesign, or other equivalent design programs preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a current, valid driver's license and a current working telephone with a number that can be accessed by building management personnel for business contact purposes. Must have excellent computer skills, including experience with the Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret instructions, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to engage in public speaking.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiple and divide in simple and complex equations. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages.

COGNITIVE SKILLS/REASONING ABILITY

1. Ability to recognize casual relationships, disseminate between behavior mechanisms, and identify elements that are relevant to the validation of a judgment.

2. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral . click apply for full job details