Sports Hospitality Event Manager

Description

Summary:

The Events Manager - Sports Hospitality - is responsible for the planning and execution of a portfolio of sports hospitality, client entertainment, and premium guest experiences. This includes professional and collegiate sporting events, golf tournaments, suites and premium seating, sponsorship-related activations, pre- and post-event hospitality, destination experiences, and executive/VIP engagements.

This role manages experiences from initial planning through on-site execution and post-event reconciliation, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality, memorable experiences for clients and guests. The Events Manager collaborates closely with internal business partners and the Sports Hospitality lead while managing relationships with sports organizations, venues, agencies, ticketing partners, hospitality providers, and other external vendors.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Plan and execute a portfolio of sports hospitality and client entertainment experiences across multiple markets, venues, sports, and event formats.
- Manage events from concept through execution, including timelines, logistics, guest communications, ticketing, hospitality, transportation, accommodations, food and beverage, gifting, and on-site experience.
- Partner closely with the Sports Hospitality lead and internal business partners to translate business and client needs into thoughtful, high-quality hospitality experiences.
- Develop and execute innovative, premium hospitality and experiential event concepts that strengthen brand positioning, enhance client engagement, and elevate the overall guest experience
- Manage relationships with venues, agencies, ticketing partners, hotels, transportation providers, hospitality vendors, and other external partners.
- Manage premium hospitality experiences including suites, premium seating, golf hospitality, sponsorship activations, receptions, executive/VIP experiences, and destination-based programs.
- Independently manage multiple concurrent events and hospitality programs while balancing changing priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder needs.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, production timelines, guest-management processes, and event documentation.
- Manage event budgets from planning through reconciliation, including estimates, contracts, invoices, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
- Source, negotiate, and manage vendors and event partners to support high-quality execution while maintaining appropriate budget and service expectations.
- Coordinate venue and event logistics including site visits, hotel room blocks, transportation, catering, decor, signage, gifting, equipment, and other hospitality needs.
- Manage guest registration, ticket allocation and distribution, attendee communications, itineraries, and other details supporting the end-to-end guest experience.
- Partner with Marketing, Communications, Sponsorships, and other internal teams as appropriate to deliver cohesive experiences that reinforce Huntington's brand and business objectives.
- Utilize Cvent to support invitations, registration, attendee management, communications, and post-event reporting.
- Manage on-site execution and delivery of sports hospitality and client entertainment programs, ensuring a seamless guest experience.
- Maintain flexibility and operational excellence by quickly adapting to changing guest needs, venue requirements, weather conditions, and travel considerations.
- Curate personalized, premium experiences that elevate client engagement and create memorable moments for VIP and executive audiences
- Identify opportunities to continuously improve the guest experience, planning process, vendor partnerships, and overall delivery of the Sports Hospitality program.
- Emulate Huntington's core values of Service Heart, Forward Thinking, and Can-Do Attitude through teamwork, partnership, and accountability.

- Travel up to 30% for on-site event support
- Working out of office hours e.g. evenings and weekends for events

Basic Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of education.

- 5+ years of experience planning and executing sports hospitality and/or client entertainment programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Communications, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field.
- Experience managing hospitality programs involving professional or collegiate sports, golf tournaments, premium seating, suites, sponsorship activations, or VIP/client experiences.
- Experience managing multiple sports hospitality or client entertainment programs simultaneously.
- Experience working directly with sports organizations, venues, agencies, hospitality providers, ticketing partners, and other external vendors.
- Demonstrated ability to create and deliver high-touch client and VIP guest experiences.
- Strong vendor management, contract management, budgeting, financial reconciliation, and negotiation capabilities.
- Financial services event planning or client entertainment experience.
- Proficiency in Cvent for event creation, invitations, registration, attendee management, and event reporting.
- Experience partnering with executive leaders and senior business stakeholders.
- Strong communication, organization, project management, and multitasking skills.
- Ability to problem-solve in real time and remain composed in high-pressure, guest-facing environments.
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to high-quality execution.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.

Exempt Status: (Yes   = not eligible for overtime pay) ( No   = eligible for overtime pay)
Yes

Workplace Type:
Office

Our Approach to Office Workplace Type

Certain positions outside our branch network may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement. We’re combining the best of both worlds:  in-office and work from home. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. Remote roles will also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for moments that matter. Specific work arrangements will be provided by the hiring team.

Huntington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Tobacco-Free Hiring Practice: Visit Huntington's Career Web Site for more details.

Note to Agency Recruiters:   Huntington Bank will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.  All unsolicited resumes sent to any Huntington Bank colleagues, directly or indirectly, will be considered Huntington Bank property. Recruiting agencies must have a valid, written and fully executed Master Service Agreement and Statement of Work for consideration.