Now Hiring - Event Planning Sales and Operations Manager in Newport Beach, CA

The New Port Theater, the most luxurious theater in Orange County, is searching for an experienced event planner and operational manager to help us with memorable events by managing the production from concept through completion. The ideal candidate is passionate, creative, and detail oriented, and dedicated to providing superb client service at every turn. This role demands an expert in all aspects of event, meeting, and conference planning, including event sales, superb client service, cost containment, equipment logistics, vendor coordination/management and room setup. S/He will also have excellent leadership skills and the ability to delegate responsibilities to team members to meet quality expectations. The best fit for our company is an event planner who can manage the daily details with big-picture thinking to ensure truly unique experiences.

Objectives of this Role

• Respond to inbound sales inquiries, meet with clients, and create proposals
• Follow up with prospects and execute contracts
• Manage all aspects of event planning meeting strict deadlines and client budget demands
• Nurture and build relationships with vendors and other industry contacts to craft and implement creative and logistical aspects of all events
• Stay current, and often ahead of the curve, on event planning, design, and production trends, proactively identifying and solving operational challenges
• Establish standard procedures and train staff to execute them
• Comply with legal, insurance, health and safety regulations at all times

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities

• Coordinate with internal staff, clients, vendors, and others to establish needs for events, and serve as liaison to senior level executives, local government officials, and industry leaders throughout the planning process.
• Research resources and lead pre-event meetings when necessary to help staff make decisions about event design.
• Plan and facilitate logistics for all events, including contract negotiations, guest lists, venue preparation, presentation materials, security (as needed), catering, entertainment, transportation, equipment, decor, and marketing materials.
• Oversee client experiences from conception through post-event, managing on-site preparations, production, and event breakdown, ensuring consistent, high-level service throughout all phases.
• Maintain and build upon comprehensive database of industry contacts and vendors.
• Troubleshoot and handle any issues that arise on the event day, through event completion.
• Coordinate entry for vendors to access the theater for set up and tear down.
• Flexibility to coordinate any last minute items that may be required for the event (ie/ running to the market for fresh ingredients or supplies).

Skills and Qualifications

· Proven success as an event planner or coordinator

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

· Experience in maintaining and building enriching business relationships

· Excellent organizational skills, including multitasking, time management, and meticulous attention to detail

· Ability to handle pressure and make split-second decisions

Preferred Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in event management or a related discipline

· Experience in marketing and/or public relations

· Experience in operation and coordination of events

· Proficient with the Event Management Systems and payment systems such as Square, Quickbooks along with other tools used to manage event logistics

· Must have Food Handler Management and ETips/RBS certification or willing to get them

Compensation: competitive salary based on candidate’s qualifications plus performance-based bonus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

COVID-19 considerations:

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Newport Beach, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: One location