VP of Business Development| Central Region

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The VP of Business Development and Client Relations is responsible for ensuring the success of Oak View Group by maintaining a high retention rate and successfully pursuing new opportunities expanding the OVG footprint throughout North America. With a goal of new account acquistion and current client retention, the position will serve as client advocate, capturing feedback, proactively identifying at-risk accounts and collaborating with operations leadership to develop and manage plans which support client satisfaction and loyalty, with a goal of long-term account retention.

The role will also support OVG growth plans in the appropriate market segments by developing new contracts and opportunities. This position is responsible for generating, managing and coordinating outside sales, as well as directing and implementing marketing functions as required. The Vice President of Business Development will independently manage and oversee all aspects of the sales process from determining the market and understanding consumer and competitors’ behaviors to constantly gathering, analyzing and updating information relating to each sector by identifying the strength and weakness of company strategy within our competitive set.

The Vice President oversees and manages the standards of designing commercial proposals specific to prospects and the clients and ensures that it is line with the relevant market segment and in order with the company’s overall strategic objectives.

The Vice President of Business Development is customarily and regularly engaged away from the office in order to attend industry trade shows and networking events, make sales calls to clients or potential clients, or obtain new sales leads. The Vice President of Business Development and Client Relations maintains a consistently positive and professional relationship with internal and external clients. The role will handle sales and customer service issues including providing outstanding customer service; researching, resolving and clarifying questions; and providing knowledgeable and appropriate suggestions regarding the variety of management service options.

The successful candidate will facilitate the flow of information internally, as well as communicate with all clients and vendors. The Vice President of Business Development and Client Relations must be able to work a variable shift, including evenings and weekends, depending upon business requirements, to best serve our client partners.

This role will pay a salary of $155,000 - $180,000. This position is also eligible for commission incentives.

Benefits 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 12 holidays).

This position will remain open until November 5, 2024

Responsibilities

• Responsible for New Account Development: Conducting market research, determining sales targets, prospects and leads, independently planning and executing an effective sales and marketing strategy.
• Develop a vision, strategy and process on client renewals focused on securing multi-year contract extensions.
• Identify and actively address at risk clients, develop plans for retention and successfully extend contracts.
• Develop a system to measure satisfaction using surveys, business reviews or other means; build and drive follow-up process in response to customer feedback.
• Build relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision makers, establish and develop strong, effective relationships with influencers through professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Coordinate, create and deliver effective responses to RFP’s and RFI’s, and sales proposals and presentations.
• Independently sources, identifies, and pursues outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events, or special events attended by prospects.
• Responsible for negotiating and finalizing contracts in accordance with company guidelines and in collaboration with the SVP, and division Presidents.
• Maintain accurate records for all development activities in conjunction with responsibilities.
• Communicate regularly with SVP, division Presidents, sales support team, office staff, and Operations staff about the needs of our clients and their expectations.
• Maintain in CRM an extensive client database for follow-up sales calls and contact (in person, phone, email, mail, etc.)
• Assist with follow-up of client sales experience, ensuring that all issues have been addressed.
• Independently develops contacts and opportunities, as needed, to strategic target accounts in coordination with the SVP of Business Development.
• Serves as primary contact up to operation startup, including responsibilities to secure signed contract.
• In depth understanding of OVG360 and its services partnered with deep understanding of the market, company goals and needs of clients to create solutions for the client by leveraging existing, upgraded or new OVG360 services
• The successful candidate will develop a cross-departmental strategy to maximize growth opportunities. This will require strong communication skills in order to directly articulate the value of the services and bring in subject matter experts when required.

Qualifications

• Highly skilled relationship builder, negotiator, and closer
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with personnel at all levels of the organization
• Ability to build and maintain a network of business relationships, including the executive management of clients, prospects, and other referral sources
• Strong relationship management, negotiation, and marketing skills
• Strong focus and ownership on the overall client experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience performing business with municipal, county, or state government
• Ability to manage time and prioritize
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent related experience
• 10 or more years of related experience in Sales, Business, Development, Client Relations or related function, in the live event industry preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 40% at peak times

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.