Director, Event Management, Special Events

OC Sports & Entertainment•Anaheim, CA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Event Management, Special Events provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the planning and execution of revenue-generating private events across the OCVIBE campus. This role is responsible for leading a team of full-time and part-time event professionals who deliver exceptional, hospitality-driven experiences for corporate, social, and premium clients. This position partners closely with Sales, Culinary, Operations, and Finance to translate client vision into flawlessly executed events that maximize revenue opportunities, drive repeat business, and elevate the OCVIBE brand. Events include corporate meetings and conferences, galas, buyouts, premium activations, and social celebrations across a diverse portfolio of venues and unique spaces. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in special event operations, team leadership, and premium guest service within large-scale entertainment, hospitality, or destination event environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field
Minimum of 8 years of experience in event management or hospitality operations
At least 3 years in a senior leadership role overseeing teams and complex events
Demonstrated experience leading venue event management operations across multiple properties simultaneously, ensuring consistency in service standards, operational execution, and client experience across diverse venues
Proven success executing revenue-generating private events, including corporate, social, or premium hospitality experiences
Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate both full-time and part-time teams in fast-paced, guest-facing environments
Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor budgets, forecasting, and operational efficiencies
Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across Sales, Operations, Culinary, and Finance
A passion for hospitality, client service, and delivering memorable, best-in-class event experiences aligned with company values
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Education – Bachelor’s Degree
Experience Required - 8+ Year

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end execution strategy for all private and special events, ensuring consistency, quality, and excellence across all venues and experiences
Establish and manage operational frameworks, timelines, and workflows that support high-volume, high-touch event execution
Partner with the Special Events Sales team to support client acquisition, seamless handoffs, and execution against contracted deliverables
Ensure events are delivered in alignment with client expectations, brand standards, and revenue objectives
Lead full lifecycle management of district-wide event equipment inventory, including tracking systems, preventative maintenance, repairs, parts procurement, and annual capital expenditure (CapEx) planning and acquisitions to ensure operational readiness and fiscal discipline
Directly manage and develop a team of full-time Event Managers and a flexible part-time event execution staff
Build staffing models and labor strategies that balance service excellence, efficiency, and profitability
Create a culture of accountability, hospitality, and continuous improvement through training, coaching, and performance management
Serve as an on-site leader during major events, providing real-time decision-making and escalation support
Develop and implement team operating plans, performance incentives, and accountability frameworks that elevate financial acumen across the Event Management team, driving strategic upselling behaviors and revenue optimization at the event level
Apply rigorous financial analysis to event performance in collaboration with Finance and Sales, leveraging P&L insights with a focus on labor and operational expenses, to identify cost efficiencies, margin improvement opportunities, and scalable growth strategies across the event portfolio
Support event forecasting, staffing cost controls, and post-event financial reviews
Champion upsell opportunities and operational efficiencies that enhance revenue and client value
Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for private event execution across all venues
Ensure compliance with safety, permitting, accessibility, and regulatory standards
Partner with Operations, Security, Facilities, and Culinary to align resources and venue readiness for each event
Establish and enforce service and presentation standards across all events, including elevated VIP experiences, ensuring Event Managers consistently deliver best-in-class hospitality, brand alignment, and visual excellence
Serve as a steward of the OCVIBE brand, ensuring every client and guest experience reflects a premium level of hospitality and professionalism
Address and resolve client concerns with urgency and care, turning challenges into opportunities for loyalty and advocacy
Collaborate with Marketing and Brand teams to align private event execution with broader brand positioning and experience standards