Events & Partnerships Manager

Duluth, MN, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $50,000.00 - $60,000.00

Work Schedule

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Professional development opportunities

flexible schedule

wellness programs

Job Description

Spirit Mountain is a vibrant recreational destination known for its comprehensive array of indoor and outdoor activities. Located in a scenic area, Spirit Mountain provides visitors with an exceptional experience that combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and community-based events. The company focuses heavily on delivering exceptional guest services and engaging visitors through various activities including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and multiple special events throughout the year. Spirit Mountain prides itself on fostering a welcoming atmosphere guided by core values such as safety, respect, honesty, and integrity, ensuring every visitor enjoys a safe and memorable experience. As a community-centric organization, Spirit Mountain constantly looks for innovative ways to offer dynamic programming while nurturing strong partnerships within the community to bolster its offerings and extend its reach to new audiences.

The role of Events & Partnerships Manager at Spirit Mountain is a crucial leadership position reporting directly to the Director of Indoor Operations. This salaried, exempt position plays an instrumental part in driving and managing contracted revenue streams including weddings, banquets, group sales, races, and partnerships. With a pay range of $50,000 to $60,000 annually, this role entails end-to-end ownership of the client lifecycle, from lead generation and booking to event execution. The manager acts as the face of Spirit Mountain for clients, ensuring a seamless experience that elevates the brand and generates revenue. This position requires strong cross-functional collaboration because the manager interacts closely with departments such as Food & Beverage, Facilities, Guest Experience, Programming & Rental, and Outdoor Operations to deliver flawless events and partner programs. The role demands frequent weekend and holiday availability with a focus on peak season event execution.

The Events & Partnerships Manager's responsibilities include leading the planning and execution of weddings, races, and other events, coordinating vendor logistics, and providing on-site leadership during events. They serve as the primary contact for clients and vendors, oversee venue tours, proposal development, contract negotiation, and billing communications. In partnership with the marketing team, the manager drives lead generation and improves conversion rates, identifying and developing new community partnerships and revenue streams. This role also looks to expand existing services, add experiences, and shift towards more Spirit-owned events rather than reliance on third-party operators. Budget management, profitability analysis, and strategic oversight of the department's revenue and operational goals fall under this role’s purview. The manager’s visionary approach helps grow Spirit Mountain’s brand presence, enhances guest experiences, and ensures all events align with the company’s standards and values.

Job Requirements

2+ years of experience in event planning, operations, or group/event sales required
Experience in hospitality, outdoor recreation, or guest-facing operations preferred
Experience working with partnerships, sponsorships, or community relationships preferred
Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred but not required
Excellent written and oral communication
Strong time management and multitasking skills
Ability to make independent decisions in high pressure situations
Availability to work weekends, holidays, and during seasonal peaks as needed

Job Qualifications

2+ years of experience in event planning, operations, or group/event sales
Experience in hospitality, outdoor recreation, or guest-facing operations preferred
Experience working with partnerships, sponsorships, or community relationships preferred
Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred but not required
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong time management and multitasking skills
Ability to make independent decisions in high pressure situations
Availability to work weekends, holidays, and during seasonal peaks

Job Duties

Leads planning and execution of weddings, events, and races including timelines, vendor coordination, rehearsals, and day-of oversight
Acts as the internal lead and provides onsite leadership for events and races, coordinates across departments to ensure successful execution, and steps in to support broader operations in the absence of other managers as needed
Serves as the primary point of contact for clients and designated vendors, ensuring a high level of service throughout the planning process and resolving issues in real time
Conducts venue tours, develops proposals and contracts, and manages client billing and communication
Partners with marketing to drive lead generation and improve conversion rates
Proactively identifies, develops, and secures new community partnerships and group sales opportunities that drive incremental revenue and expand Spirit’s reach
Creates, plans, and executes Spirit-branded events that generate revenue, increase brand awareness, and introduce new guests to Spirit
Evaluates performance of partnerships, group offerings, and branded events, using insights to refine strategy, grow participation, and maximize revenue impact
Owns and manages the master calendar and all space allocation for events, group bookings, races, and partner programming, ensuring optimal use of space and alignment with revenue priorities
Owns profitability of contracted events, including pricing, cost control, and margin performance
Develops and manages departmental budgets in collaboration with the Indoor Operations Director
Supports operational planning in partnership with the Indoor Operations Director to achieve revenue, labor, and guest satisfaction targets