Activities and Events Manager

HEI Hotels & Resorts•Braselton, GA

About The Position

The Activities & Events Manager develops, plans, coordinates, and executes recreational activities, resort programming, and special events to enhance the guest experience and support the resort’s brand positioning, guest satisfaction, participation, ancillary revenue, and overall performance. The role oversees daily and seasonal programming, family and adult experiences, themed events, and resort-wide celebrations, working with hotel leadership and other departments to align programs with strategic objectives, operational standards, and financial goals. The manager leads programming and event planning from concept through execution, including logistics, staffing, vendors, equipment, communications, safety, and evaluation. The role manages departmental budgets and performance, develops and supervises the activities and events team, collaborates across resort departments, and maintains operational records and reports. The position requires regular presence in indoor and outdoor recreational and event spaces, a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak resort periods, and the ability to respond to changing operational needs and guest requests.

Requirements

Resort experience in a similar role is required.
Three to five years of progressive experience in resort recreation, activities management, event planning, hospitality operations, or a related field.
Prior supervisory or management experience is required.
Experience managing departmental budgets, labor costs, vendor relationships, and event logistics.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Creativity in designing memorable guest experiences and engaging programming.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, expense management, and revenue development.
Ability to manage multiple projects, events, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving skills and sound operational decision-making.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and scheduling, event management, or other relevant software.
Ability to collaborate across departments and with guests, ownership representatives, vendors, and external partners.
Ability to adapt programming and staffing to changing occupancy, guest demographics, weather, and business needs.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak resort periods.
Ability to be regularly present in indoor and outdoor recreational and event spaces.
Ability to stand, walk, and supervise activities for extended periods.
May need to lift, move, or assist with event equipment and supplies in accordance with safety guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Recreation Management, Event Management, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Resort, luxury hospitality, family destination, club, or outdoor recreation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement daily, weekly, seasonal, and holiday activity calendars tailored to resort guests and target demographics.
Create distinctive guest experiences that differentiate the resort and support its brand and value proposition.
Oversee recreational programming for families, children, adults, couples, and groups as appropriate to the resort’s amenities and positioning.
Ensure activities are professionally executed, appropriately staffed, and consistent with resort service standards.
Engage with guests, encourage participation, gather feedback, resolve concerns, and identify opportunities to improve the guest experience.
Monitor guest satisfaction scores, online reviews, and participation to identify improvements.
Plan, coordinate, and execute themed weekends, holiday celebrations, poolside events, outdoor entertainment, family activities, wellness programming, and other special events.
Develop programming that reflects the resort’s location, culture, amenities, seasonality, and brand identity.
Coordinate event schedules, entertainment, vendors, equipment, setup, breakdown, staffing, and operational support.
Partner with Sales, Catering, Conference Services, Food & Beverage, and other departments on group programs, corporate retreats, weddings, and special functions when applicable.
Evaluate event performance, guest engagement, and financial results to improve future programming.
Communicate event plans to relevant departments and ensure execution meets quality and service expectations.
Develop and manage the department’s annual operating budget with resort leadership.
Monitor expenses, labor costs, supply expenditures, and revenue against budget.
Identify opportunities for ancillary revenue through paid activities, classes, excursions, equipment rentals, events, and other guest experiences where appropriate.
Prepare business cases for programming, entertainment, equipment, and guest experience enhancements, including anticipated costs and returns.
Negotiate with entertainment providers, activity vendors, and external partners to achieve quality and value.
Maintain appropriate inventory controls and purchasing practices while keeping programming financially sustainable.
Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and develop activities and events team members.
Set performance expectations and foster hospitality, creativity, accountability, teamwork, and guest engagement.
Ensure team members understand resort amenities, programming, safety requirements, and service standards.
Conduct team meetings, provide coaching, and complete performance evaluations in accordance with company policies.
Manage staffing and labor deployment based on occupancy, guest demographics, event schedules, and anticipated participation.
Support cross-training and collaboration with other departments.
Ensure activities and events comply with applicable laws, company policies, insurance requirements, and safety procedures.
Assess risks involving recreational programming, outdoor events, equipment, children’s activities, and third-party vendors.
Maintain participation waivers, incident reports, inspection records, and other required documentation.
Ensure team members receive safety training and understand emergency response procedures.
Verify outside vendors and entertainment providers meet contractual, licensing, insurance, and safety requirements.
Promptly escalate incidents, hazards, guest concerns, and operational risks to resort leadership.
Ensure activities involving children follow supervision, safeguarding, and check-in/check-out procedures.
Partner with the General Manager, Director of Operations, and department leaders to align programming with resort priorities and guest expectations.
Coordinate with Marketing to promote activities through resort communications, digital platforms, signage, and pre-arrival messaging.
Work with Front Office and Concierge teams to communicate programming and provide accurate guest information.
Collaborate with Food & Beverage on coordinated experiences, themed dining, outdoor activations, and special offerings.
Coordinate with Engineering, Housekeeping, Security, and other departments on event setup, equipment readiness, cleanliness, and security.
Participate in leadership meetings, budget reviews, and resort planning initiatives as requested.
Maintain an accurate, current activities and events calendar, staffing plans, event outlines, operating procedures, schedules, and departmental records.
Track participation, guest feedback, revenue, expenses, labor productivity, and other performance indicators.
Report departmental results, upcoming events, guest engagement, and operational opportunities to resort leadership.
Maintain vendor agreements, purchasing records, invoices, and other departmental documentation.
Monitor industry trends, competitor offerings, and emerging guest experience concepts for opportunities to innovate.
Perform duties in accordance with company policies, applicable laws, and resort standards; duties may be modified based on business needs.