Event Services Director

The Walt Disney Company; Lake Buena Vista (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and savings benefits

Educational opportunities

Special Disney extras

Savings plan

Job summary

A leading entertainment and hospitality company in Florida is seeking an Event Services Director to drive catered food and beverage, entertainment, and other revenue for convention groups. The ideal candidate will have significant Event Services experience and leadership skills, ensuring the highest service quality for clients at Disney parks and resorts. Competitive benefits and career development opportunities await you in this dynamic role.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of Event Services or Sales experience, preferably in a resort environment.
• At least three years of leadership or formal mentoring experience.
• Hospitality experience in a group convention environment within the past two years.
• Strategic understanding of business objectives across markets and client goals.
• Ability to anticipate group challenges and provide tailored solutions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure team upselling and achieving financial goals.
• Lead Cast Members for continuous growth and development.
• Define and execute the annual sales strategy plan.
• Define and execute the annual sales strategy plan for conventions.
• Collaborate with Resort Sales on site visits to secure future business.
• Oversee contract language and ensure on-time fulfillment of obligations.
• Support renovations projects to minimize guest impact and maintain Disney standards.

Skills

Event Services or Sales experience

Leadership or formal mentoring experience

Hospitality experience

Strategic understanding of business objectives

Problem-solving skills

Effective organization and time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

CMP Certification (preferred)

Tools

Windows OS

Job description

About The Role & Team

As an Event Services Director, you will be responsible for driving catered food and beverage, entertainment, admissions, and other ancillary revenue to Walt Disney World parks and resorts from contracted convention groups. This dual role manages a team that sells Disney Event Group products and the Event Service team that plans and implements all onsite conventions at Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks. You will ensure convention clients, and their attendees experience the highest level of service that supports a Disney quality experience. You will report to the Senior Event Services Director.

What You Will Do

• Ensure the Event Consultants and Event Services Managers are upselling and achieving financial goals
• Be an active member of two resort leadership teams and influence operating partners to ensure Group Guest experience is maintained at a high level
• Lead Cast Members on their performance to ensure continuous growth and development
• Participate in monthly forecast meetings
• Compile forecast and variance justifications for Catering Food & Beverage and Disney Event Group revenue
• Define and execute the annual sales strategy plan
• Develop innovative and creative meeting and event solutions representative of the Disney brand
• Assist Resort Sales team by participating in sales site visits to help bring together future business
• Remove barriers so that Cast Members can effectively perform their role
• Be responsible for recruiting and finding the right fit talent
• Manage resources to ensure your team optimally meets the needs of clients and internal partners at multiple resorts
• Support Event Services Managers to ensure all contractual obligations are met
• Assist with contract language requests to ensure business moves forward
• Be engaged with all aspects of Resort renovation and construction to infuse the group guest perspective and mitigate impact to guest experience
• Work together with Operations on various aspects of future convention events
• Ensure the local training effort for new Cast is in place and lead all aspects of ongoing training for all Cast

Required Qualifications & Skills

• At least seven plus years of Event Services or Sales experience, preferably in a resort environment
• At least three years of leadership or formal mentoring experience
• Hospitality experience in a group convention environment within the past two years
• Strategic understanding of the business objectives associated with different markets and what clients are trying to accomplish
• Ability to proactively anticipate any potential group challenges and provide outstanding solutions tailored to the client

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of all convention resort function space and all Theme Park venues
• Understanding of the end-to-end sales process to be used to assist in converting business and upselling
• Thorough understanding of Rooms and related line of business
• Build and maintain strong relationships with operating partners
• Ability to seek constructive resolutions to issues and resolve them effectively
• Develop action plans with the Hotel/Cast which is vital when Client feedback reflects negative experiences
• Demonstrated ability to build outstanding and innovative experiences to exceed Client expectations through effective consultative skill application
• Effective problem‑solving skills with a focus on removing barriers
• Confirmed understanding of Food & Beverage and Entertainment line of business
• Proven success that demonstrates strong sales and presentation skills
• Theoretical and practical understanding of rooms, food & beverage operations and contracting
• Knowledge of Group & Convention contract management
• Understanding of market segment (corporate, incentive, associations) and Meetings and Conventions line of business, including processes and workflows
• Effective organization and time management skills
• Current or recent Event Services, Disney Event Group, or Catering Operations Experience
• Computer proficiency within a Windows environment and willingness to learn new software applications
• Flexibility with work schedule, to include weekends and holidays. Ability to assist the team in providing coverage to help everyone achieve balance

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Preferred Education

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.