Senior Manager, Events & Premium Hospitality

About the role

The Senior Manager, Events & Premium Hospitality is responsible for the planning and execution of high-impact events, premium hospitality programs, and client experiences across Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE). This position will lead assigned events and hospitality initiatives from concept through execution, with a focus on creating elevated experiences for premium members, corporate partners, prospects, VIP guests, and other key stakeholders. The Senior Manager will work cross-functionally across HSE to ensure experiences are thoughtfully designed, operationally sound, brand-aligned, and positioned to strengthen relationships, drive engagement and retention, and support broader business objectives.

Hornets Values

• We operate with the highest level of integrity, driven by moral standards that guide us in everything we do.
• We communicate with full candor; openly, honestly and respectfully with clarity.
• We work in the spirit of one team, committed to one vision, shared values, and an inclusive culture that ensures every person feels valued and respected.
• We hold ourselves accountable, and responsible to raise high levels of expectations of ourselves and our team.
• We compete at the highest levels and strive to be the best at everything we do.
• We act with resilience and thrive in the face of challenges bringing others along with us.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of assigned HSE events and activations from concept development through onsite execution and post-event evaluation.
• Develop comprehensive event plans including timelines, budgets, run of show, staffing, vendors, food and beverage, décor, entertainment, gifting, transportation, and guest experience.
• Lead onsite execution for assigned events and provide direction to internal teams, vendors, event staff, and other partners.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and identify opportunities to improve programming, operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and business impact.
• Plan and execute curated client trips and offsite experiences, including accommodations, transportation, dining, entertainment, gifting, and VIP access.
• Partner with Premium, Marketing, Partnerships, Game Presentation, and F&B teams to create differentiated hospitality experiences around games, theme nights, and key organizational moments.
• Lead the planning and execution of gifting programs for premium clients, corporate partners, VIPs, and key organizational initiatives.
• Manage gifting initiatives from ideation and sourcing through production, packaging, and distribution.
• Partner closely with HSE's food and beverage partner to deliver elevated hospitality experiences across games, events, and client programs.
• Collaborate on menus, specialty food and beverage offerings, chef-driven experiences, signature cocktails, and other hospitality elements.
• Support event-day and game-day execution within premium and hospitality spaces.
• Identify opportunities to continuously improve service standards and the overall guest experience.
• Develop and manage budgets for assigned events and hospitality initiatives.
• Manage external partners and vendors, establishing clear scopes, timelines, deliverables, and expectations.
• Support contract negotiations, purchase orders, invoicing, and event reconciliation.
• Establish and track success measures including attendance, engagement, guest feedback, retention, revenue influence, and overall business impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Event Management, Sports Business, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in events, premium hospitality, client engagement, sports and entertainment, experiential marketing, luxury hospitality, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex events and elevated VIP or client experiences.
• Strong project management skills with experience managing budgets, vendors, timelines, and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of premium hospitality and expectations associated with high-value clients and VIP guests.
• Exceptional communication, organization, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
• Strong creative instincts and the ability to translate business objectives into memorable experiences.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, games, concerts, and special events as required.