Senior Director, Hospitality

Company Overview

Excel Sports Management stands as a premier sports agency working with elite talent, top brands, and prominent properties. The agency prioritizes a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive culture built on strong team relationship, integrity, and innovative approaches to maintain industry leadership.

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Hospitality serves as the key strategist and executor for client hospitality initiatives, crafting and implementing premium experiences that propel business growth. This role blends profound hospitality expertise with creative insight and robust industry connections to design standout programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop hospitality strategies and annual event calendars aligned with client business goals.
• Identify impactful opportunities for hospitality that enhance client engagement and brand presence.
• Innovate and propose culturally resonant concepts to elevate hospitality offerings.
• Analyze event portfolios to optimize program outcomes.
• Lead the comprehensive planning and flawless execution of hospitality programs from inception to post-event review.
• Create event branding, guest experience designs, and onsite operational plans.
• Provide onsite direction for critical events ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Maintain alignment of all experiences with client standards and objectives.
• Build and nurture strong client partnerships as a trusted advisor on hospitality matters.
• Collaborate with account teams to integrate hospitality initiatives with broader marketing and sponsorship strategies.
• Spot opportunities for expanding client engagement and revenue generation through hospitality.
• Manage vendor relationships across venues, catering, transportation, and production to ensure quality service delivery.
• Negotiate contracts balancing creativity with budget constraints.
• Oversee vendor performance ensuring consistency and accountability.
• Prepare and supervise hospitality budgets, ensuring financial discipline including forecasting and reconciliation.
• Report on program performance and lead efforts measuring return on investment.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the internal hospitality team and cross-functional collaborators.
• Enhance operational efficiency by establishing best practices, tools, and workflows.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, responsibility, and excellence throughout hospitality operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum eight years of experience in hospitality, event planning, experiential marketing, or a related field.
• Proven leadership of high-profile corporate hospitality programs and events.
• Strong background managing client relationships, vendor partnerships, budgets, and teams.
• Established vendor network across hospitality and experiential services.
• Prior experience in agency, sports marketing, or sponsorship environments is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Expertise in hospitality, events, and experiential program management.
• Extensive industry contacts and vendor relationships.
• Strategic planning capabilities paired with meticulous execution.
• Financial literacy including budgeting and contract negotiation.
• Outstanding client servicing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership qualities capable of motivating teams and influencing decisions.
• Excellent communication and organizational proficiency in dynamic settings.
• Capacity to handle multiple complex programs simultaneously.
• Dedication to crafting impactful and memorable experiences that support business goals.

Additional Information

• Travel is frequently required, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Salary range: $150,000 - $170,000 annually, inclusive of benefits and discretionary bonus.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Excel Sports Management is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all employment practices.