Events & Promotions Manager

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium (TFA) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Events & Promotions Manager to lead the development, execution, and marketing of high-impact events and promotions that drive attendance, grow revenue, and deepen community engagement. This role blends creativity with operational excellence, ensuring that every activation reflects shared purpose of saving marine wildlife while elevating our brand in the marketplace.

The ideal candidate is equal parts marketer, event strategist, and brand ambassador—someone who can transform ideas into memorable guest experiences, leverage promotions to meet revenue goals, and create buzz that keeps TFA top-of-mind as a premier cultural destination. The Events & Promotions Manager will collaborate with key departmental points of contact (POC’s) to guide event concept / design of department-driven events to ensure look and feel of all events align with TFA’s brand and voice.

Essential Position Functions

Collaborate with Marketing and Engagement leadership teams to conceptualize, develop, and execute innovative, revenue-generating events and promotions designed to drive attendance, attract new audiences, and increase repeat visitation.

Identify trends, seasonal opportunities, and community partnerships that elevate brand awareness and deliver value to guests.

Collaborate with Marketing leadership to ensure events align with overall brand strategy, key campaigns, and promotional calendars.

Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to shape messaging, campaigns, and creative assets for events and promotions.

Ensure timely delivery of event details to the Marketing and Ticketing teams to support landing pages, ticket links, and digital promotions.

Gather and analyze guest feedback through surveys and reporting to evaluate event success and inform future strategies.

Lead all aspects of event production, including pre-event logistics, day-of execution, and post-event wrap-up.

Oversee vendors and contracted entertainment when applicable, and serve as primary POC for employees and volunteers designated to work day of event / promotion to ensure seamless operations and extraordinary guest experiences.

Anticipate guest needs, manage risks, and maintain brand standards at every touchpoint.

Build and manage detailed event budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and profitability

Prepare business plans and post-event reports that highlight performance, ROI, and recommendations for future growth.

Oversee vendor contracts, invoices, and purchasing to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Partner with internal culinary partner and external event teams on food and beverage coordination for public / ticketed events.

Work with Learning, Guest Services, Entertainment and other internal teams to integrate programming, staffing, and in-house shows into events.

Coordinate volunteers, guest services staff, and external partners to ensure events are fully supported and executed at the highest standard.

Support offsite brand activations at community events, ensuring a polished and engaging presence that reflects Aquarium values and messaging.

Serve as a visible brand representative at Aquarium events, donor gatherings, board activities, and offsite appearances.

Deliver exceptional guest service and build positive relationships with donors, members, and community partners.

Actively participate in internal committees and contribute to organizational goals tied to events and promotions.

Support TFA’s Shared Purpose by participating in a Conservation Day of Action shift on an annual basis.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements and Technical Skills

Bachelor’s degree with course work in event planning, communications, marketing or a related field highly desired

3-5 years of experience in event planning, coordination, and / or management experience planning promotional and revenue-generating or ticketed events

Ability to think creatively to conceptualize and execute interesting, unique, and engaging events

Strong business acumen, with experience preparing budgets, profit-loss statements, and / or business plans

Ability to work productively in teams and to interact professionally with diverse groups of clients and staff

Creative, self-starter who can successfully manage multiple projects and respect multiple deadlines while changing priorities on a tight schedule

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines and operate under time pressure, with various interruptions.

Must be self-directed and extremely well organized

Proficient in Microsoft Office suite applications

Experience with event planning software

Availability to work nights and weekends, as required

Competencies

Customer Service Orientation — Listening and understanding the customer’s request (both internal and external), evaluating the customer’s needs and making their satisfaction a high priority

Teamwork — Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness

Concern for Detail — Pays attention to every portion of any task

Communication (oral and written) — Effectively expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listening to individuals and groups; preparing and focusing presentations to the needs of the audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely with sketches, notes and other documents

Creativity — Proactively combining ideas, resources and skills in new and adaptive ways to better meet outcomes and objectives; finding new ways of positioning the aquarium worldwide as a model of excellence

Planning and Organizing — Establishing a course of action with specific short and long-range goals for the aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans for workload

Quality — Upholding stands beyond what is required; inspiring staff to maintain and initiate high standards of excellence in their work efforts

Typical Physical Requirements

Sitting (up to 5 hours per day)

Standing (up to 1 hours per day / 4-6 hours day of events)

Walking (up to 2 hours per day / 4-6 day of events)

Carrying (up to 25 lbs.) — Occasionally

Lifting (up to 25 lbs.) — Occasionally

Using hands for repetitive movements — Both

Typing on a computer keyboard

Viewing a computer screen for extended periods

Excellent vision for proofing and detail work

Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and / or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained

More than normal talking, in person or on telephone

Ability to travel (car) as needed

Flexibility in working weekends, evenings and holidays required

Ability to interact and be around wild animals

Perks

Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement Savings, EAP and more!

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