LN Venues, Senior Special Events Sales Manager - House of Blues New Orleans

Live Nation Entertainment is the world’s leading live entertainment company, comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. Ticketmaster is the global leader in event ticketing with over 620 million tickets sold annually and approximately 10,000 clients worldwide. Live Nation Concerts is the largest provider of live entertainment in the world promoting more than 50,000 events annually for nearly 7,000 artists in 40+ countries. These businesses allow Live Nation Media & Sponsorship to create strategic music marketing programs that connect more than 1,200 sponsors with the 145 million fans that attend Live Nation Entertainment events each year.

About the role

This role focuses on driving the financial performance of the department and meeting sales goals through strategic planning, client relations, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Aggressively ensure revenue generation in accordance with individual sales quotas established by the Director of Sales (DOS) and track financials per market segment, per month, and per quarter.
• Assist the DOS in creating annual sales plans for each market segment, including Convention, Association, Incentive, Tour & Travel, Social, Local, Corporate (SMERF), DMC, etc.
• Meet and exceed individual sales goals and consistently fulfill sales call quotas and required tracking protocols.
• Develop a complete understanding of the competitive landscape and key selling points against competing venues.
• Handle initial phone call and electronic inquiries within 24 hours.
• Develop, maintain, and target a comprehensive client database from internal and external sources, including convention business, tour operators, meeting planners, party planners, corporate clients, social clients, concierges, non-profits, fundraisers, and DMCs.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with Convention & Visitors Bureaus, professional organizations, local chambers of commerce, hotels, and vendors.
• Ensure optimal perception of the venue within the community and professional organizations.
• Maintain Live Nation Standards for policies and procedures as outlined in the Code of Conduct and Employee Handbook.
• With the DOS, ensure and monitor that all required reports (SEOs, monthly calendars, contacts made, forecasting, trackers, financial rectification, ROME flashes, initiatives, etc.) are fulfilled and distributed in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate event financial records and adhere to departmental and organizational processes.
• Generate proposals, Special Events Orders, and contracts, and handle contract negotiations.
• Manage post-event correspondence and supply requisitions.
• Maintain client relations and communicate current event information on the talent calendar.
• Ensure accurate file maintenance in Caterease and Rome.
• Develop working knowledge and expertise in Caterease, Cendyn, Exact Target, Rome, Hoovers, and other affiliated software programs.
• Understand all operational department responsibilities, capabilities, and limitations to ensure maximum guest satisfaction, event execution, and operational communication.
• Ensure staffing levels are fulfilled by the Logistics Manager.
• Solicit new and existing clients to meet or exceed budgetary sales expectations.
• Create internal and external promotional programs and track results.
• Fulfill expectations outlined in the strategic monthly sales plan, monthly initiatives, SMART plan, annual goals, competitive analysis, and other required reports.
• Develop sales strategies for defined market segments, industries, and conventions.
• Build and maintain client databases in Caterease and Exact Target.
• Actively solicit business through local civic and business organizations (e.g., Convention Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, MPI, HSMAI, ISES, PCMA).
• Assist in the development of sales collateral material and updating the venue sales website, online venue listings, and assigned social media applications.
• Attend tradeshows, networking events, sales blitzes, and other off-site sales efforts as directed by the Director of Sales.
• Geographically determine and participate in marketing the venue to trade shows, both locally and nationally, at the direction of the Director of Sales.

Requirements

• Responsible Alcohol Awareness Training Certification or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of local and regional markets, special event operations, computers (Windows environment, spreadsheet, databases, word processing), and guest relations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage preparations, service standards, guest relations, and etiquette.
• Skilled in interpersonal communications, organizational concepts, and financial knowledge.
• Ability to delegate, follow up, and relate to staff and guests/clients in a positive and effective manner.
• High school diploma required.
• Three to five years of sales experience in the hospitality industry; experience in catering sales, social, or wedding markets highly preferred.
• Tolerance of all cultures, music, and art forms.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree.
• Preferred: Local market experience and relationships.

Benefits

Our motto is ‘Taking Care of Our Own’ through six pillars of benefits:

• Health: Medical, vision, dental, and mental health benefits for you and your family, with access to a health care concierge, and Flexible or Health Savings Accounts (FSA or HSA).
• Yourself: Free concert tickets, generous paid time off including paid holidays, sick time, and personal days.
• Wealth: 401(k) program with company match, stock reimbursement program.
• Family: New parent programs including caregiver leave, plus fertility, adoption, foster, or surrogacy support.
• Career: Career and skill development programs with School of Live, tuition reimbursement, and student loan repayment.
• Others: Volunteer time off, crowdfunding match.