National College Leadership Trainee - San Francisco

Encore Global•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

Encore is hiring recent college graduates 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 participate in technical, operations, and sales rotations; receive hands-on learning at venues alongside field leaders; attend instructor-led training at Encore’s corporate office in Chicago; and complete online certifications through Encore University academies in Leadership, Technical, Operations, Sales, and Service. Successful graduates are prepared for immediate placement in an operations, production, or sales management role within Encore’s venue network. Potential placements include Operations Manager, Associate Producer, Director of Events, and Venue Sales Manager. In an Operations Manager placement, the role manages floor operations to achieve service excellence, with emphasis on customer service, staff leadership, performance management, and development. It also supports organizational goals through effective workforce and inventory cost control. In a Sales Manager placement, the role guides customers through event experiences, identifies solutions aligned with their goals, and uses available tools to maximize event and revenue capture from an assigned customer base. Candidates must be able to work at a hotel location in a major metro market and be flexible to relocate. The posting lists San Francisco among the West locations where trainees may be placed. Encore describes a customer-first, hospitality-focused culture supporting live, in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. It offers training and development opportunities and a competitive compensation and benefits package. Trainees receive a base salary; after placement, eligible roles offer base salary plus bonus incentive. The role has stated physical demands, including periods of sitting, standing, walking, stooping, crawling, kneeling, bending, reaching, climbing, grasping, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling, as well as visual and hearing requirements. 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.

Nice To Haves

Preference for a degree in Hospitality, Business or Management, Communications, Event Management, Theater, or a related field.
Prior experience in management, operations, technology, or hospitality is a plus.

Responsibilities

Participate in technical, operations, and sales rotations during the training program.
Complete hands-on venue learning, instructor-led training, and online certifications through Encore University academies.
In an Operations Manager placement, manage floor operations to achieve service excellence and support customer service, staff leadership, performance management, and employee development.
In an Operations Manager placement, contribute to organizational goals through effective workforce and inventory cost control.
In a Sales Manager placement, guide customers through event experiences and identify solutions that meet their goals and objectives.
In a Sales Manager placement, use available tools to maximize event and revenue capture from an assigned customer base.