Vice President, National Event Sales

Job Description

Job Description

Founded in 2018 by industry pros, Puttshack is a leading social entertainment concept, reimagining the traditional mini golf and dining experience. With its welcoming, high-energy environment, tech-infused mini golf and delicious menu packed with familiar favorites and exceptional cocktails, Puttshack is the perfect place for any gathering. Rooted in innovation and built for connection, our goal is to bring a sense of belonging to our associates and guests alike.

Working at Puttshack:

At Puttshack, we take fun to the next level. With over 20 venues globally and counting, we’re a fast-growing team of talented, hands-on go-getters who take pride in the work we do – and have a blast doing it. If you’re a mover and shaker who sets the bar high and loves the thrill of building something amazing, you’ll fit right in. We’re always on the lookout for the best people to join our growth journey. If you’re inspired by new ideas and love bringing them to life, then we have the perfect canvas for you!

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of National Event Sales is responsible for leading a team and driving group and event sales across all Puttshack venue locations nationwide, playing a pivotal role in increasing brand awareness in new and existing markets. This individual will manage a team of Sales professionals across various functions, in addition to providing overall guidance and support for the dedicated sales teams onsite at each Puttshack venue.

Vice President of National Event Sales will work closely with cross-functional leaders within the home office and the venues, collaborating across operations, marketing and technology teams to enhance the products and packages for group sales & events in line with market trends and Puttshack guest feedback. As a champion of the Puttshack brand and guest experience, this role seeks to maximize group sales revenue across all locations and implement scalable and standardized processes and procedures as the company grows.

This is a hybrid position with 3 days onsite at Puttshack’s headquarters in Chicago (River North) with the expectation of travel as needed to support business operations and expansion activities.

Position Responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

• Build and execute a comprehensive group sales strategy, from lead generation through execution, to drive revenue growth and brand recognition across new and existing markets and position Puttshack as a leader in the Hospitality and Social Entertainment spaces.
• Identify and capitalize on group sales opportunities across corporate events, private parties, and group bookings through a variety of sales tactics, including lead generation, national partnerships, referral programs, etc.

• Oversee and implement all sales systems, tools, resources, and vendors to drive best practices and enhance sales processes and procedures, specifically partnering with Marketing, Technology, etc. to optimize systems such as CRM, group booking platforms, etc.

• Collaborate with Operations and F&B leadership to drive event package options, pricing, and experiences and continuously improve offerings based on feedback.
• Manage sales budgets and KPIs to monitor the delivery of group sales goals, including the creation/execution of commission programs to drive performance.

• Partner with Executive Team and Operations Leaders to drive all sales reporting and forecasting of revenue goals for each individual location and market.

• Lead and develop a team of Sales Managers who are responsible for providing guidance, support, and resources for venue teams to drive standardization across SOPs and performance metrics.

• Identify emerging market trends, consumer behaviors, and competitor activity to inform strategic decision-making and maintain a competitive edge across group sales pricing and event execution.
• Partner with Operations leaders, Talent Acquisition, and HR teams to execute talent strategies across organizational design, recruitment, and compensation.
• Work closely with Legal and Operations leadership to execute group sales and events contracts
• Collaborate with Marketing teams to align sales strategies with marketing campaigns, promotional opportunities, special events, and other branding activities.
• Act as a champion of the Puttshack experience by attending trade shows, conferences, networking events, etc. to build national partnerships and enhance brand visibility.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field, or experience equivalent
• Minimum of 10 years of group or events sales experience, including at least 5 years experience managing and leading a team of hospitality sales professionals within a multi-unit environment.

• Experience within a high-growth social entertainment and/or hospitality company is highly preferred.

• Experience with CRMs and booking systems such as Triple Seat, Salesforce, etc.
• Proven track record of implementing and measuring effective sales strategies
• Experience with creating and calculating complex commission programs
• Strong analytical capability to tell business stories leveraging data
• Creative mindset and the ability to adapt to a changing environment
• Ability to articulate complex concepts in clear, simple, and logical terms
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to manage and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must be able to travel locally and nationally as needed to support business needs.

Benefits:

We have a guest service mindset and treat our associates the same way, offering our full-time, eligible associates:

• Health/dental/vision coverage options
• 401(k) matching
• Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary short term and long term Disability Insurance
• Generous PTO, including paid parental leave
• Associate discounts (FREE mini golf!)
• Pet Insurance
• Flex Spending Accounts
• …and more!

Physical Requirements:

Physical activities on a continuous basis including regular standing, sitting at desk for a long period of time, frequent use of telephone/video conferencing, and using a keyboard to communicate through written means. Some walking and lifting, up to 25 lbs. may be required. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate within a typical office setting, and moderate to high within the venue setting. Travel by car and plane may be required from time to time. The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and responsibilities.