Director of Marketing & Sales

Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain cave—and chose to share it with the world. Today, Herschend is the largest family-held themed attractions company, with 49 leading attractions and immersive experiences that reach audiences worldwide.

While each brand offers something unique, all are united by a shared purpose: Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. Our passionate hosts make this purpose possible through everyday acts of love and service—what we call Heartspitality®—the intersection of heart and hospitality.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to provide environments where every host, guest, and partner feel welcome, valued, and loved. We firmly believe that words and actions matter, which is why all individuals are to be treated equally and with respect. 

The Director of Marketing & Sales will collaborate with the property support team to develop and execute high-performance plans that attract customers, maintain an exceptional public image, and delight customers with fresh and innovative experiences. A key focus of this role is growing park attendance and EBITDA.

This role will also focus on implementing innovative strategies and finding creative new ways to appeal to existing and new customers.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, customer service-oriented strategic thinker that is tech savvy with excellent writing and speaking skills. Working on growing brand awareness, increasing sales, managing numerous projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines, and handling pressure daily.

We are currently looking for a:

 

Director of Marketing & Sales

Roles & Responsibilities:

 

Roles & Responsibilities

Supervisory Duties:

• Manage and lead all aspects of the Marketing team, along with any other assigned business units

• Lead by example, attitude, and as a representation of our core values at Story Land and Living Shores.
• Act as an approachable mentor and coach to all assigned team members

• Manage and control all financial aspects of assigned departments while maximizing revenue and cost savings opportunities; maintain constant vigilance over departmental spending and budgets
• Act as a strategic visionary to implement measures that will favorably impact process, people, and/or profit

• Ensure compliance with company and industry best practices, policies, and procedures to create a safe and productive environment for colleagues and guests.
• Become knowledgeable of performing the essential duties of all assigned sales and/or marketing positions and backfill these positions when needed
• Participate in all aspects of supervision of assigned employees, including hiring, orientation, training, performance coaching, and discipline.
• Ensure that all required meal and other breaks are being given per New Hampshire law
• Assist with team scheduling and timekeeping activities

Departmental Duties:

• Propose and implement property-specific strategic initiatives to grow park attendance and revenues
• Coordinate and execute all marketing functions, including B2C, B2B/group sales, events, online marketing, promotions, and public relations
• Serve as a key adviser to leadership to participate in key discussions of brand usage and activations
• Develop and implement annual marketing plans, communication plans, and budgets for all marketing and sales activities
• Research and synthesize market dynamics including potential guest audiences, tourism trends, and understanding and studying competitive set with potential threats and opportunities
• Partner with HUB Directors and other Park Support Customer team members on all marketing initiatives, from strategy to execution
• Partner with agencies and support center PR to develop and execute compelling public relations/earned media campaigns to drive awareness
• Execute and work with partners to deploy and update messaging on website, email, social media, and paid media to align with marketing and sales plan
• Support and manage marketing, events, and sales support team members in the execution of marketing/sales activities
• Research, analyze, and monitor financial, technological, and demographic factors so that market opportunities may be capitalized, and the effects of competitive activity may be minimized
• Develop and implement annual marketing plans, communication plans, and budgets for the park
• Lead and implement strategies within paid, earned, shared, and owned media channels
• Monitor the effectiveness of marketing content and adjust strategies, as needed
• Collaborate and engage with the park leadership team, as well as other company stakeholders, in developing and executing high-performance marketing and sales plans
• Compile, analyze, and distribute financial and performance metrics required to meet long-term company objectives
• Drive local public relations efforts and relationships with key community partners
• Lead and ensure proper marketing brand and standards are being utilized at the park, including signage, handouts, printed materials, etc.
• Collaborate with other park departments to continually improve and deliver quality guest experiences to customers throughout all areas of operation
• Grow earned media opportunities, and leverage social media to gain awareness for ticket offers, events, and programming
• Participate in the Manager on Duty program, as needed
• All other duties assigned by leadership

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and/or Sales, Advertising, Communications, or related fields.  Equivalent experience will be considered. 
• 5-7 years of related marketing, sales, or customer experience
• 3+ years of progressive managerial experience within a Sales or Marketing capacity
• Previous amusement park, theme park, or waterpark experience highly desired
• Previous public relations experience is a plus.
• Experience with Salesforce CRM

Language: Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.

Requirements: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age to comply with New Hampshire Child Labor Laws
• Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, open to close
• Must possess exceptional customer service skills, with an ability to resolve questions, problems, issues, and concerns in a positive and professional manner
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations, meet the demands of constant deadlines and coordinate multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable communicating directly with potential and existing customers
• Must be comfortable speaking in front of large groups
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power Point.
• Ability to identify trends and sales patterns with customers/guests
• Must possess strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain seated for extended periods of time, while using a computer
• Ability to stand, walk, and remain on feet for long periods of time throughout the day
• Ability to occasionally stoop, twist, kneel, bend, squat, or reach above shoulders
• Ability to carry, push, pull, lift, and hold objects weighing 20 pounds or more

Working Conditions:

• This role will be primarily based in an office setting with frequent interaction with other outdoor park locations
• Frequent exposure to the variable outside temperatures, including high heat, cold, direct sun, humidity, dust, rain, snow, ice, and other weather conditions
• Subject to frequent interruptions, constant repetitive motion, high noise levels, flashing lights, and heavily populated environments

Why Palace Entertainment?

We truly believe that where you work matters and, as a theme park company, we like to think we know a thing or two about what makes people happy.
 
Palace Perks and Benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Management Incentive Plan
• Comprehensive health and wellness package
• 401k Savings and Investment plan
• Free admission to Palace Parks in the continental US
• Generous vacation and sick time

When you join Palace Entertainment, you do more than simply advance your career. You become part of the Palace family, a group of talented people who drive innovation, embrace change, and deliver results.

If you’re ready to join our amazing team, please visit our website at www.palaceentertainment.com -- “Work With Us” tab -- to explore all of our open positions and exciting opportunities.

Team member benefits: