Position: Director of Events
Status: Full-Time, FLSA Salary Exempt
Department: Events
Reports to: Vice President of Marketing
POSITION OVERVIEW
Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. The Zoo is well known for its strong conservation ethic and unique attractions, such as kayaking through the Africa Loop, giraffe feedings, rhinoceros encounters, and various other animal experiences.
Public events play multiple roles at Brevard Zoo: they serve as educational opportunities for guests to learn about animals, habitats, and conservation efforts, while also generating revenue to support the Zoo’s mission of connecting people with wildlife. By hosting special events, the Zoo creates memorable experiences that enhance the guest experience and encourage membership and future attendance.
The Director of Events leads the strategic development and execution of Zoo-wide public and private events, including free consumer events, paid consumer events, and private events. The Director spearheads the annual planning of both free and paid consumer events, coordinating with internal departments (Animal, Education, Facilities, Communications, and Marketing), as well as sourcing and negotiating with external vendor partners. This role sets goals and guidelines; manages schedules and timelines; outlines plans and strategies; coordinates managers and departments; and liaises with vendors and suppliers while building positive business relationships.
Additionally, the Director leads the sales strategy for private events, leveraging their extensive knowledge of weddings, private event, and corporate event planning to increase bookings, revenue, and positive reviews. Leading the event execution team, the Director works closely with the Special Events Manager to oversee delegation of responsibilities and scheduling.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, event management or marketing or an associate’s degree with extensive professional experience in a senior event planning role.
- 7+ years of experience in event planning, management, and execution, with expertise in guest service and hospitality, including specific experience planning and managing weddings and corporate events.
- Team leader, with ability to delegate responsibilities among different levels and tiers of management.
- Overseeing significant budgets and ensuring events are delivered within financial parameters is critical, requiring keen attention to detail and cost-efficiency.
- Ability to source, negotiate and manage outside vendors and agencies.
- Sales leader, with vision and approach to attract new business for private events.
- Bright, optimistic personality and calm demeanor, with strong ability to think on his/her feet and be able to handle demanding guests and clients.
PREFERRED
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) certification preferred.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Strategic Vision: Develop comprehensive event strategies and plans aligned with organizational goals, identifying target audiences and desired outcomes for each event. Ability to create new, unique and impactful events that align with organizational goals, moving beyond mere logistics to the creation of memorable experiences that drive attendance and unite our guests with our mission.
- Vendor Negotiation and Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with the in-house caterer, AV providers, and other vendors crucial for securing favorable terms and ensuring high-quality service. Negotiate contracts with vendors and contractors to secure the best rates and ensure high-quality service.
- Budget Management and Financial Acumen: Overseeing significant budgets and ensuring events are delivered within financial parameters, requiring keen attention to detail and cost-efficiency. Monitor detailed event budgets, tracking expenses and revenue to ensure financial targets are met and resources are utilized efficiently.
- Leadership and Team Management: Lead, grow and develop a diverse team of internal staff, vendors, and volunteers, requiring strong delegation, motivation, and conflict resolution skills to ensure cohesive execution. Empower the team to manage all tactical and logistical execution aspects of events, including day-of vendor management, catering, audiovisual needs, cross functional participation and transportation to ensure seamless execution. Grow team members to
- Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Ability to calmly and professionally identify issues, devise creative solutions, and adapt to unforeseen challenges while maintaining composure.
- Promotion: Coordinate with marketing and PR teams to promote events and maximize attendance. Adhere to agreed upon deadlines to communicate information.
- Sponsor, Client and Stakeholder Communication: Effectively communicate with internal stakeholders, clients, sponsors, to secure buy-in, alignment and to ensure their needs are met and partnerships are fostered.
- Measurement: Together with Marketing and Education lead post-event analytics, ROI and post-event evaluation, collecting feedback, analyzing results, and preparing reports for the VP and Executive Team to assess success and identify areas for future improvement.
- Reporting: creation of monthly sales reports documenting revenue vs plan Senior Staff, VP of Marketing and Board of Directors
- Sales Strategy: Lead the sales strategy for private events, leveraging his/her deep knowledge of wedding, private event and corporate planning to grow both the quantity of events, increase revenue and positive reviews. Assure that private event expense P&L aligns with industry standards and practices.
- Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required to support the success of events.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent computer skills including all Microsoft Office programs, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook software.
- Experience with event management platforms like Tripleseat
- Deep knowledge of private event pricing and industry best practices.
- Connections with community and corporate meeting planners are a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
(L) Light work
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. If the use of arm/leg controls require exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as light work.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS/HAZARDS:
Indoor office environment most often with frequent movement outdoors. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, Finger Dexterity, Talking, Hearing, and Visual Acuity frequently.
Must be willing to work in inclement weather including temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and high humidity. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, Finger Dexterity, Talking, Hearing, and Visual Acuity frequently.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Will be required to work weekends and nights as necessary.
TRAVEL:
Occasional travel in and out of the county as necessary, including trade shows, vendor meetings.
The above information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Zoo’s policies on evaluation of personnel.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement
East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, Inc., dba Brevard Zoo, is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, transfer, termination, or any other terms and conditions of employment.
Employees and applicants are encouraged to report any concerns regarding discrimination or harassment, and retaliation for reporting such concerns is strictly prohibited.
Brevard Zoo is committed to an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves. We value the diverse qualities, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals. Join us in sharing the joy of nature to help people and wildlife thrive.
