Event Manager

Crimson Wine Group•Napa, CA

About The Position

The Event Manager drives event revenue through strategic sales, business development, relationship management, and consistent execution of high-quality events. The role develops and maintains a qualified sales pipeline across destination management companies, winery associations, tour operators, corporate planners, concierge networks, key accounts, private clients, and referral partners. Event activity should support estate utilization, wine sales, profitability, and brand visibility. The Event Manager leads the Events Team and oversees event inquiries, contract negotiations, menu and guest-experience development, budgets, and adherence to service and operational standards. As a representative of the estate and Crimson Wine Group, the role advances revenue objectives while maintaining operational excellence and luxury hospitality standards. The position oversees events from inquiry through contracting, planning, execution, billing, follow-up, and debrief. It works with departments and external partners, manages team performance and financial reporting, and develops hospitality training, service manuals, event playbooks, and standard operating procedures. The role also ensures event experiences reflect the winery’s luxury positioning and “We’ve Been Expecting You” philosophy.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in event sales, business development, hospitality, luxury service, winery operations, or a related field.
Demonstrated success developing sales pipelines, securing new business, managing client relationships, and achieving revenue goals.
Prior experience leading, coaching, scheduling, and developing event, hospitality, or sales teams.
Strong knowledge of event planning, contract negotiation, budgeting, vendor management, and service execution.
Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the estate professionally.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and events while maintaining attention to detail and sound judgment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and reservation, CRM, POS, event management, or related hospitality systems.
RBS and Food Safety Manager Certificate within 30 days of employment.
Valid California Driver’s License.
Must be 21 or older.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during events, site visits, and daily operations.
Ability to work on multiple surfaces, including indoor and outdoor areas, uneven terrain, stairs, patios, vineyard-adjacent spaces, and event venues.
Ability to bend, reach, carry, set up, and move event-related materials, equipment, and supplies.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an event business development strategy to meet annual revenue, wine sales, profitability, and estate utilization goals.
Prospect, solicit, and secure business across corporate events, incentive travel, executive retreats, private celebrations, luxury hospitality experiences, virtual tastings, and incremental sales programs.
Build and maintain relationships with DMCs, winery associations, tour operators, hotel concierge teams, corporate planners, event agencies, community partners, and referral sources.
Manage the sales pipeline, including lead generation, prospecting, referral productivity, conversion metrics, and forecast reporting.
Conduct site visits, client presentations, sales meetings, follow-up outreach, trade shows, networking events, and community or industry functions.
Collaborate with stakeholders to develop promotional materials, sales tools, event concepts, menus, and campaigns.
Track market trends, competitive activity, customer demand, and partner performance to identify sales and business expansion opportunities.
Hire, train, schedule, coach, supervise, and develop the Events Team.
Set performance expectations, accountability measures, training priorities, and development plans for event staff; conduct reviews and coaching, administer progressive discipline as needed, and approve payroll and incentives.
Create staffing plans and schedules for events, floor coverage, manager-on-duty needs, and labor cost optimization.
Foster hospitality, professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and uphold company policies and procedures.
Oversee event planning from inquiry through contract, planning, execution, billing, post-event follow-up, and debrief.
Coordinate with wholesale, facilities, winemaking, hospitality, and executive teams.
Develop event menus, experience offerings, timelines, staffing plans, and execution standards aligned with brand positioning and financial goals.
Serve as the escalation point for complex client needs, VIP events, service recovery, and event-related challenges.
Ensure events meet service standards, contractual guidelines, timelines, safety requirements, compliance expectations, and budgets.
Manage vendor, supplier, entertainment, and service partner relationships to ensure value, reliability, and brand alignment.
Maintain organized event files, contracts, vendor records, billing documentation, and recommendations for future event success.
Develop and maintain luxury service manuals, event playbooks, hospitality training programs, and standard operating procedures.
Ensure guest-facing experiences reflect the winery’s luxury positioning, service ethic, and hospitality philosophy.
Coach teams on service etiquette, storytelling, personalization, sales initiatives, and guest engagement.
Identify ways to improve guest and client experience through innovation, personalization, operational readiness, and service excellence.
Manage event revenue, expenses, profitability, and P&L performance against targets and budgets.
Prepare monthly budget, forecast, sales, inventory, and business performance reports in partnership with the Estate Manager and Finance.
Analyze completed events to assess profitability, operational improvements, client retention, and future revenue opportunities.
Ensure timely and accurate processing of contracts, deposits, invoicing, billing, and accounting reports.
Track and forecast event supplies, equipment, facility needs, and CAPEX items within approved budgets and purchasing processes.