National College Leadership Program Trainee - Columbus, Ohio

Encore Global•Columbus, OH

About The Position

Encore is hiring participants for its National College Leadership Program (NCLP), a five-month Manager in Training program that typically starts in July. The program is intended for candidates graduating in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 who are interested in careers in operations management or sales. Trainees complete technical, operations, and sales rotations; gain hands-on experience at venues alongside field leaders; attend instructor-led training at Encore’s corporate office in Chicago; and earn certifications through online courses in Encore University’s Leadership, Technical, Operations, Sales, and Service Academies. After successfully completing the program, trainees are prepared for immediate placement into an operations, production, or sales manager role within Encore’s nationwide network of venues. Depending on placement, an Operations Manager oversees floor operations, customer service, staff leadership, performance management and development, and workforce and inventory cost control. A Sales Manager guides customers through event experiences, identifies solutions that meet their goals, and uses available tools to maximize event and revenue capture from an assigned customer base. Placement may also be as an Associate Producer, Director of Events, or Venue Sales Manager. Encore provides event production services for in-person, virtual, and hybrid experiences and operates in more than 20 countries. Trainees may be placed during or after the program in locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The posting lists typical placement markets across the West, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, and Canada, and requires the ability to work at a hotel location in a major metropolitan market and flexibility to relocate. Encore describes a customer-first, hospitality-focused culture and offers training, development opportunities, mobility, and career advancement. The company is an EEO/AA employer, maintains a drug-free workplace, and conducts criminal background screening and pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Requirements

A four-year college degree with a BA or BS is required.
At least one year of related professional work experience, or a combination of employment and internships.
Strong interest in a management career with opportunities for advancement and promotion.
Excellent communication, listening, and presentation skills.
Effective leadership abilities and a focus on customer satisfaction.
Technical aptitude demonstrated through interest in and exposure to new technology.
Ability to work at a hotel location within a major metropolitan market.
Flexibility to relocate.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Hospitality, Business/Management, Communications, Event Management, Theater, or a related field is preferred.
Prior experience in management, operations, technology, and/or hospitality is a plus.

Responsibilities

Participate in technical, operations, and sales rotations during the training program.
Complete hands-on learning at venues alongside field leaders.
Attend instructor-led training at Encore’s corporate office in Chicago, Illinois, and complete online academy certifications.
When placed as an Operations Manager, manage floor operations to achieve service excellence, focusing on customer service, staff leadership, performance management, and development.
As an Operations Manager, achieve organizational goals through effective workforce and inventory cost control.
When placed as a Sales Manager, guide customers through event experiences and identify solutions that meet their goals and objectives.
As a Sales Manager, use available tools to maximize event and revenue capture from the assigned customer base.