Director, Venues at Arsenal Hill

Nestled beside the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion in the heart of downtown Columbia, the Venues at Arsenal Hill offer a timeless blend of Southern history, architecture and charm. The property includes the Lace House, Caldwell-Boylston House, Carriage House, and surrounding gardens—each with its own unique story dating back nearly two centuries.

Job Purpose and Duties:

The Director is responsible for all venue operations, including developing sales and marketing strategies to maximize rental revenue, collaborating on all capital improvement projects, and managing fiscal and human resources.

1. Collaborate with agency’s Chief of Staff and State Park Service Director to develop a strategic vision for the renovated Venues at Arsenal Hill. Responsible for providing executive leadership of all venue operations with a global lens, including determining optimal solutions for complex issues and implementing strategy based on goals and budget considerations.
2. Optimize revenue by ensuring proactive, coordinated, and consistent engagement across all stages of the sales cycle from initial inquiry through event execution and follow up reviews. Communicate with vendors and guide clients regarding logistics and identifying solutions that meet their goals to ensure successful, high-quality event experiences for clients and guests to foster continued growth.
3. Manage the venues’ annual operational (currently $1.5 million) and marketing (currently $170 thousand) budgets. Forecast revenue, monitor and approve expenditures, and proactively plan for needed maintenance to ensure established revenue targets are reached each fiscal year. Expect year over year revenue increases and exercise strong attention to detail and accountability in financial oversight.
4. Develop an annual comprehensive, data-informed, and effective sales and marketing plan that is aligned with the SCPRT’s mission, strengthens the Venues at Arsenal Hill’s brand, and geared to maximize rental revenue targeting weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events. Work with SCPRT’s advertising agency to ensure the plan coordinates within the agency’s overall sales and marketing initiatives.
5. Practice and promote teamwork within the work unit/office, throughout the agency and with external agency stakeholders. Represents office as an active member on agency teams assigned throughout the year.
6. Serve as a critical member of owner team for capital improvement projects, working closely with architects, contractors, project managers, and project engineers. Using creativity and innovation, proactively communicate with key stakeholders to advance solutions to ensure effective use of resources and keep project timelines on schedule.
7. Manage all external contractual agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Administration regarding the Venues at Arsenal Hill.

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Marketing, or related field. Ten years of progressive experience in the event and hospitality industry, including venue sales, operations management, and leadership experience or equivalent combination of education and training. Working knowledge of large-scale special event management, high-end venue operations, and modern and complex principles and practices of sales and marketing. Proven track record of growing revenue.

Additional Requirements:

1. Position will be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on programming and events schedule. Some in-state travel will be involved and may include overnight travel. Must possess a valid SC driver’s license. Position will be required to report to work during emergency situations and hazardous weather events.

2. Demonstrated capability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in team environments, including in-person and virtual settings. Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to expertly present the Venues at Arsenal Hill to a wide range of constituencies and audiences, including prospective rental clients as well as international dignitaries. Track record of improving operational efficiency and team performance with the energy and initiative to build upon, not just maintain. Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and critical thinking skills. Sound public relations, customer service, conflict resolution, and analytical abilities. Solid work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and optimistic approach. Keen attention to detail and the ability to understand both broad organizational processes and detailed operational requirements. Proficient aptitude to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize competing responsibilities, and consistently meet established deadlines. Advanced computer proficiency and Microsoft products knowledge to include, at minimum, Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams. Familiarity of pertinent federal, state, and local law codes and regulations. Actual Job Location: Venues at Arsenal HillFull-time, 37.5 hours weekly. The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer.