Booking Manager | Navy Pier Events Facility - Oak View Group

Oak View Group:

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary:

Navy Pier has always been the “People’s Pier”.  Build in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham’s famed plan of Chicago, today Navy Pier boasts versatile, multipurpose event spaces and high-quality amenities against one of the most unique and spectacular lakefront settings in the Midwest.  Navy Pier showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more – all available to guests of on-site events.  Navy Pier offers two exhibit halls, 34 meeting rooms, the historic Aon Grand Ballroom and Lakeview Terrace that overlook the lakefront.  These dramatic and diverse spaces are ideal for trade and consumer shows, conferences, business meetings, and special events of any size.

 

This role will pay an annaul salary of $70,000 to $80,000.

 

Benefits for FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays).

 

This position will remain open until Oct 31, 2024

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for soliciting, contracting, and managing from start to finish, ticketed, non-ticketed and special events at Navy Pier.
• Work with the General Manager to establish all booking guidelines, policies and procedures for the Pier.
• Oversee and manage the venue booking calendar for live entertainment & public events.
• Participate in the development and administration of the annual budget and event forecasting.
• Prepare written proposals and estimates; reevaluate potential business value of various events and clients; initiate contractual arrangements, finalize all booking arrangements, prepare contracts, negotiate rental and other rates as required.
• Initiate, develop and maintain new relationships with promoters, agents and other event producers/organizers while exploring new and creative event opportunities for the venue.
• Establish and enhance an expansive network of event producers, promoters, artist agents / managers and other clients to bring more concerts, sports and other events (both public and private) to the venue.
• Initiate and develop vendor relationships such as staging, sound and lights, décor, etc. to support events.
• Conduct facility tours for potential clients; answer questions and provide information regarding venue capabilities.
• Develop and deliver presentations to clients, associations, corporations and others interested in renting the facilities.
• Develop bid proposals for potential clients and follow through on pending bookings.
• Negotiate various deal structures including straight rentals, co-promotions, and direct buying.
• Pursue new rental and co-promotional opportunities with potential corporate and community clients.
• Source and buy talent as needed.
• Identify low-usage periods and formulate strategies to increase facility usage and revenue production during these periods.
• Development of new in-house events at the venue focused on driving additional revenue, sponsorship opportunities and economic impact.
• Collaborate with General Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing to secure new events for the venues
• Coordinate event communication with a Client-First focus and be the primary point of contact for event inquiries and customer service issues from initial client contact, through contracting phase and settlement of the event.
• Assist the Director of Finance with settlements of events.
• Prepare statistics, reports, budgets as needed for senior management and client.
• Act as liaison between venues and all outside parties and provide high level of service to key stakeholders.
• Remain current on national events and culinary trends in the industry and local market changes that affect the venue.
• Represent Navy Pier in meetings, trade shows, conference calls for events, community outreach and other industry events and associations.
• Meet with General Manager on regular basis to discuss all matters pertaining to booking and special event goals and activities.
• Serve as Manager-on-Duty for events as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to admin task and responding to inquiries, etc.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent training and experience
• Minimum of three (3) to preferably five (5) years of progressive booking and special event sales experience
• Experience in contract negotiation, development and execution
• Experience with settlements and reconciliation of settlements for artists/shows
• The ability to research, develop and maintain relationships with artist agents and artist management as well as local, regional and national promoters
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Highly detail oriented, able to multi-task, and work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to build and cultivate relationships
• Computer savvy and skilled in MS Office and the Adobe Creative Cloud (Outlook, Word, Excel, Photoshop) and ability to learn required business systems
• Ability to work independently to perform job, as well as in a team environment
• Ability to think critically, analyze information, and find mistakes
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet strict deadlines
• Must be a self-starter and have ability to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Has a strong track record of building relationships and generating new business

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference:

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.