Director of Event Services and Sales

Are you a proactive leader with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence? We’re looking for a dynamic individual to join our team in a key leadership role overseeing event operations, sales coordination, and facility management. This position plays a critical role in ensuring our shows run smoothly—from setup to breakdown—while fostering team performance, supporting sales initiatives, and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and customer satisfaction. If you're ready to take on a multifaceted role where every day is different and your impact is visible, we want to hear from you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Drive operational excellence in maintaining a high level of standards for shows on a daily basis, including ensuring clean buildings and areas before/during/after shows, setting up and preparing for shows, identifying and correcting any facility problems that need to be addressed.
2. Works with Sales Manager to Develop and implement sales plans and forecast to achieve FSFA objectives and sets performance goals accordingly.
3. Works with Sales Manager to Prepare periodic reports showing sales volume, potential sales and areas of proposed client base expansion. Preparation of accurate and timely license agreements. Present findings to Board members and other groups as necessary.
4. Ensure consistent contract negotiations by reviewing agreements and recommending appropriate changes if necessary.
5. Build greater awareness and strengthen communication on facility events with the general public, vendors, management, and other public officials.
6. Manage the staff’s projects/workload by assigning and prioritizing work, preparing project lists, holding staff meetings, and resolving any procedural, operational, and/or other work-related problems. Ensure all payroll approvals and needs are met.
7. Facilitate and review the work of indirect reports and temporary staff to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures are met.
8. Support and continually enhance the learning and growth of the Event Services team.
9. Ensure high performance and success by having the right people with the right skills in the right places.
10. Increase quality of all work related conditions, objects, and equipment by inspecting and monitoring conditions and operations to determine proper compliance requirements with prescribed operating and safety guidelines or other industry standards and regulations.
11. Support team with additional needs in delivering materials or supplies through various transportation means such as operating a car, van, forklift, pickup truck or other FSFA vehicle.
12. Maintain the cleanliness of restrooms by working with and providing direction to the Janitorial department and contractors.
13. Represent the department by attending and conducting safety training to support and increase all safety measures.
14. Work closely, manage and direct all Sales Staff, ES Supervisors, Crew leaders, ES Technicians, and Janitorial Staff.

Full-Time employees of the Florida State Fair Authority enjoy such benefits as medical, dental, vision, employer paid term life & disability insurance, 457 (b) retirement investment plan with a company match and a robust PTO accrual and paid holidays.

LEADERSHIP/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly supervises 5-15 employees. Oversees contracted and temporary agency staff as needed. Performs supervisory responsibilities by managing and allocating employee resources in accordance with company policies, applicable laws and company initiatives/goals. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training and developing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work (including scheduling); appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Acts as a change agent and develops a high-performing team in the spirit of exceptional service to all internal and external partners.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalent required. College degree from an accredited college or university highly preferred. Four to six years of experience in event sales, coordination and set up, and one to three years of supervisory experience required. Some coursework in management or supervision is desirable. Building Management Classes, Emergency Preparedness, and CFE Certification highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong ability to mentor and lead a team and maintain a professional demeanor
• Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to work in accounting and payroll software 
• High regard and respect for staff and patrons
• Ability to obtain a CDL-B license
• Ability to operate the following equipment: Forklift, skid loader, scissor lift, high reach.
• Strong communication skills, ethics, and high level of integrity
• Available to work irregular hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays), sometimes on short notice

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Duties are performed occasionally in an office setting. Operates computer and standard office equipment, such as telephone and copier/printer. Must be able to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear, taste/smell, and lift of move (more than 20 pounds). and have distance vision (20 feet or more). Environmental demands include exposure to wet/humidity, works near mechanical parts, work in high place, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures (non-weather), and risk of electrical shock.

The Florida State Fair Authority is a drug free workplace and an equal employment opportunity employer.