Job Description

Position: Functions & Marketing Manager

Reports to:General Manager

Direct Reports: Bar staff, Functions staff

Liaison With: Administration, Chefs, kitchen and catering staff. Other Shantytown staff as required to produce excellent events. Outside contractors
Regional and National tourism organisations, Tourism West Coast, Inbound operators

Role description:

This is a unique position as it focuses on the sales opportunities of two significant components of the Shantytown operation – Function creation/production/marketing and the general marketing of Shantytown – the Heritage Park. This role is responsible for the day to day implementation of marketing strategies and the setting of the marketing strategic direction of the organisation. Alongside this is the challenge to promote and grow Shantytowns capacity and capability in the area of function/conference and wedding market.

The Function and Marketing Manager would be required to receive or initiate function events, create and format the event programme and see the event to completion.

There is scope in this positon for the Function and Marketing Manager to take a commercial view in the generation of fresh ideas as to how revenue streams can be increased through local, national and international initiatives.

Purpose of the job:

  • To ensure that functions at Shantytown are produced professionally, efficiently and within budget.
  • To ensure that Shantytown Events increase as a profit making Business Unit
  • Increase Shantytowns annual visitation
  • Responsible for the day to day management of Shantytown functions and events.
  • To promote Shantytown Heritage Park, corporate events, functions and conferences at trade shows
  • To develop and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with all suppliers and contractors with regard to Shantytown events and corporate functions.
  • To develop/maintain a critical working relationship with Tai Poutini Polytech (TPP) as a training organisation and provider of services for functions and events.
  • Develop/maintain working relationships with region’s tourism industry leaders and fellow operators
  • Manage and coordinate all marketing, advertising and promotional staff and activities for the Heritage Park including the integrity of branding and use of graphics
  • Conduct market research to determine market requirements for existing and future products
  • Analysis of customer research, current market conditions and competitor information
  • Develop and implement marketing plans and projects for new and existing products
  • Monitor, review and report on all marketing and function activity and results
  • Prepare and manage the marketing and function budget, delivering both aspects within agreed budgets
  • Produce an annual marketing plan for the Heritage park and functions, conferences, weddings and other corporate events at Shantytown
  • Prepare and negotiate event contracts, complete administrative requirements relating to suppliers, payments and invoicing
  • Develop pricing strategy
  • Liaison with media and advertising

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes:
Excellent communication skills

Experience in all aspects of developing and maintaining marketing strategies

Relevant product and industry experience

Appreciation of diverse cultural experiences within the tourism sector

Experience in function management in the hospitality sector

Experience in staff rostering and management

Proven experience within a business environment

Excellent people management skills

Ability to work with people from many different backgrounds to ensure their event/wedding/function meets their needs and budget

Ability to negotiate, organise, delegate and work under pressure

Ability to multi task within a diverse and potentially competing environment

A hands-on approach

Excellent grooming and presentation

Computer literate/well versed in database management. Graphic experience would be an advantage

Able to work irregular hours, weekends and public holidays when required

Must be prepared to assist in other areas of the Heritage Park as required as operational needs require