Overview
The Director of Marketing for Food and Beverage, will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies that elevate the culinary offerings throughout the McCormick Place campus including Wintrust Arena and Arie Crown Theatre. Their focus will be to attract and engage event organizers, exhibitors, attendees, guests and visitors through innovative marketing initiatives, driving awareness, interest, and loyalty towards our food and beverage services.
This role will pay a salary of $80,000 to $100,000.
For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).
Responsibilities
• Devise strategic marketing plans that align with the organization’s overall objectives to enhance the image and visibility of our food and beverage offerings
• Build a strong and distinctive brand identity for our food and beverage services, emphasizing the quality, diversity, and uniqueness of the culinary experience we offer.
• Create and execute targeted marketing campaigns tailored to event organizers, exhibitors, attendees, and the local community, showcasing the exceptional food and beverage options available at our venues.
• Leverage digital channels, social media platforms, email marketing, and website optimization to maximize online presence and engagement with potential customers.
• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with vendors, suppliers, and sponsors to enhance our food and beverage offerings and generate cross-promotional opportunities.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and areas of improvement for our food and beverage services.
• Utilize data-driven insights to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, assess customer feedback, and make data-backed decisions to optimize marketing strategies.
• Collaborate with event planners and internal teams to ensure the seamless integration of food and beverage promotions into overall event experiences.
• Work alongside the Venue marketing team to maintain brand consistency, collaborate on strategies and implement campaigns.
• Ensure the development, implementation, and reconciliation of comprehensive marketing strategies and programs.
• Coordinate with OVG Corporate Marketing team onsite marketing planning.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in the English language, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain positive, cooperative working relationships with contacts and co-workers.
• Explore non-traditional marketing opportunities for the facility and its events.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate annual marketing budget; set and manage achievement of department and facility objectives.
• Develop, direct, coordinate, and review the strategic plan to maintain cooperative, positive relationships.
• Track, analyze, and compare event sales information.
• Manage day-to-day promotions and event activities.
• Provide support to Catering Sales with regard to events.
• Coordinate team efforts with other departments to implement marketing ideas/tasks. • Mentor staff in the department to assist in their department.
• Promote positive attitude and company principles within department and facility.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree or better from an accredited college or university with major coursework in marketing, public relations, business administration, or other related field.
• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in sales and/or marketing required, preferably with a convention center,, sports facility, performing arts facility, food service brand or other multi-purpose public assembly facility.
• Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible experience with media buying and promotions.
• Knowledge of marketing and advertising/sponsorship program development.
• Knowledge of social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Familiarity with booking procedures, offers and lease agreements in a convention center, sports facility, , performing arts facility, or other multi-purpose public assembly facility preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and other graphics software.