National College Leadership Program Trainee - Kansas City, Missouri

Encore Global • Kansas City, MO

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Encore is hiring college graduates for its National College Leadership Program (NCLP), a five-month Manager in Training program for candidates interested in careers in operations management or sales. The program typically starts in July and is intended for graduates in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. After successful completion, trainees are prepared for immediate placement in an operations, production, or sales manager role within Encore’s nationwide network of venues, including luxury hotels, casinos, and conference centers. Placement may include Operations Manager, Associate Producer, Director of Events, or Venue Sales Manager roles.

Trainees complete rotations in Technical, Operations, and Sales; receive hands-on learning in venues alongside field leaders; attend instructor-led training at Encore’s corporate office in Chicago; and earn certifications through online courses from Encore University academies in Leadership, Technical, Operations, Sales, and Service. The role requires the ability to work at a hotel location in a major metropolitan market and flexibility to relocate.

Operations Manager placements oversee floor operations, service excellence, customer service, staff leadership, performance management and development, workforce costs, and inventory costs. Sales Manager placements guide customers through event experiences, identify solutions aligned with customer goals, and use available tools to maximize event and revenue capture from an assigned customer base.

Encore describes its culture as focused on development opportunities, mobility, rewards, and an energizing, connected team environment, with support and training through technology, blended learning, and role-based development programs. The position has physical requirements that may include extended periods of standing and walking, lifting and carrying items, and pushing or pulling loads. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

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.
• Ability to meet the stated physical demands of the role, with reasonable accommodations available as described.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Hospitality, Business or Management, Communications, Event Management, Theater, or a related field.
• Prior experience in management, operations, technology, or hospitality.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Technical, Operations, and Sales rotations during the five-month Manager in Training program.
• Complete hands-on training in venues alongside field leaders and instructor-led training at the corporate office in Chicago.
• Complete online certification courses through Encore University’s Leadership, Technical, Operations, Sales, and Service academies.
• For Operations Manager placements, manage floor operations to achieve service excellence, with a focus on customer service, staff leadership, performance management and development, and workforce and inventory cost control.
• For Sales Manager placements, guide customers through event experiences, identify solutions that meet their goals and objectives, and use available tools to maximize event and revenue capture from an assigned customer base.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Participation in a 401K plan.
• Base salary during the training program.
• Base salary plus bonus incentive upon placement in an Operations Manager, Associate Producer, Director of Events, or Venue Sales Manager role.
• Career development opportunities, mobility, rewards, and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level