Event Sales & Execution Specialist at The Living Planet Aquarium – Draper, Utah

Position: Event Sales & Execution Specialist

Reports To: Senior Event Sales Supervisor

Compensation: $50,000 base plus commission

Why Utah?

Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Position Summary:

The Event Sales & Execution Specialist is responsible for driving revenue through proactive event sales while ensuring seamless execution of events at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA). This role manages the full event lifecycle from prospecting and closing business to planning and executing events ensuring an exceptional guest experience and alignment with LLPA’s mission, brand, and operational standards.

This position plays a critical role in growing LLPA’s event business across corporate, private, nonprofit, and community markets while delivering high-quality, well-coordinated events that meet client expectations and operational excellence standards.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Event Management, or related field preferred
• 3–5 years of experience in event sales, event planning, hospitality, or venue operations
• Proven experience in both sales and event execution preferred
• Experience in attractions, hospitality, tourism, or event venues strongly preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; CRM experience (Salesforce preferred)

Critical Skills/Competencies:

• Strong sales, negotiation, and closing skills
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• High attention to detail and ability to execute under pressure
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments
• Guest-focused mindset with commitment to exceptional experiences

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Physical Demands of the Job:

• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 lbs regularly (up to 75 lbs occasionally)
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying conditions
• Frequent movement across campus and event spaces
• Requires flexibility including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Combination of office-based work and on-site event execution
• Fast-paced environment with high client interaction and event timelines

Benefits & Perks

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.