Business Development Manager - Events

About Rusty Rail Brewing Company:

Founded in the heart of central Pennsylvania, Rusty Rail Brewing Company is one of the region's largest craft breweries, known for award-winning beers like Wolf King, Fog Monster, and All Good With a commitment to quality, creativity, and community, we offer a unique portfolio that blends tradition with innovation-backed by a production facility, brewpub, event venue, and expanding distribution footprint.

About the Role:

Rusty Rail Brewing Company is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Manager to join our Events Department and help drive growth for our brewery's private and public events business. This role is responsible for identifying new opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and expanding our events portfolio to maximize revenue and brand visibility. The ideal candidate has a passion for craft beer, strong relationship-building skills, and a proven track record in sales or business development, preferably in the hospitality or event industry.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy for Rusty Rail -hosted events (private parties, weddings, corporate events, pop-ups, etc.)

Identify and pursue new B2B and B2C event opportunities through networking, partnerships, and proactive outreach.

Build and maintain strong relationships with event planners, corporate clients, community organizations, and local vendors

Collaborate with marketing to create promotional campaigns that drive event inquiries and bookings

Conduct market research to identify trends, competitor activities, and customer needs to refine service offerings

Manage the event sales pipeline using Planning POD as a CRM from initial contact through contract negotiation and handoff to the operations team

Represent Rusty Rail at networking events, expos, and community gatherings to boost visibility and generate leads

Work closely with the events and taproom teams to ensure smooth coordination and exceptional guest experience

Track performance metrics and deliver regular reports on KPIs, forecasts, and business growth

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field (or equivalent work experience)

2+ years of experience in business development, sales, or event management, preferably in the hospitality or beverage industry

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written

Self-starter with excellent organizational and time-management abilities

Comfortable with CRM platforms, lead generation tools, and reporting software

Knowledge of or passion for the craft beer industry is a big plus

Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed

Compensation & Perks:

Competitive salary with performance-based incentives

Opportunities for career growth within a growing Rusty Rail brand

Employee discounts and perks

A fun, team-oriented environment with a shared passion for craft beer and great events