Manager, Hospitality at Excel Sports Management

Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading sports agency representing top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Our success is rooted in our people, our high character reputation and our commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace. We focus on team chemistry, collaboration, strong relationships, valuable networks, and ambitious ideas to deliver innovative solutions that keep our clients and agency ahead of the curve. Excel Sports Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Position Summary: As a Manager, Hospitality, you are responsible for the planning, execution, and ongoing management of client hospitality programs and events. You lead end-to-end delivery of experiences, from concept through execution and recap, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully planned, operationally sound, and executed to the highest standard. You serve as a key partner to internal teams and clients, translating goals into seamless, high-quality experiences that reflect both brand ambition and operational excellence. This role requires a balance of strong execution, proactive communication, and disciplined financial management. This role will be based in Excel's New York office. Responsibilities: Hospitality & Event Execution • Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of client hospitality experiences, ensuring events are delivered on time, on budget, and at the highest standard. • Develop and manage annual hosting calendars, aligning event plans with client objectives and key milestones. • Oversee all event logistics including venues, accommodations, transportation, food & beverage, staffing, and on-site execution. • Provide on-site leadership at events, ensuring seamless delivery and proactive issue resolution. • Develop event concepts, branding, and on-site materials that elevate the guest experience. Program & Client Management • Manage day-to-day hospitality programs, ensuring alignment with broader sponsorship, activation, and marketing initiatives. • Build and maintain strong client relationships through responsiveness, organization, and consistent delivery excellence. • Partner with internal stakeholders to define event goals, priorities, and success metrics. • Lead client status updates related to hospitality programs, including agendas, timelines, and progress tracking. • Support broader client initiatives by connecting hospitality efforts to overall partnership strategy. Budgeting & Financial Management • Develop, manage, and reconcile event and program budgets with a high level of accuracy and accountability. • Provide clients with ongoing budget updates and visibility into spend and forecasting. • Negotiate contracts and secure vendors in alignment with client needs and financial parameters. • Ensure scope discipline and proactively identify opportunities for efficiencies or cost optimization. Vendor & Partner Management • Manage relationships with vendors and partners including hotels, transportation providers, catering, production teams, and venues. • Coordinate all vendor deliverables to ensure alignment with event plans and client expectations. • Oversee execution of activation and hospitality elements tied to partnerships, ensuring all commitments are fulfilled. Planning, Tools & Reporting • Develop and maintain planning tools and documentation including timelines, run-of-show, rooming lists, manifests, and confirmation materials. • Lead invitation management processes, guest tracking, and attendee communications. • Create event briefs, staff plans, and detailed itineraries to ensure alignment across teams. • Deliver post-event recaps including performance insights, learnings, and budget reconciliation. • Support event measurement and ROI tracking efforts. Team & Cross-Functional Collaboration • Coordinate across internal teams including account, production, strategy, and external partners to ensure integrated execution. • Manage internal resources and vendors to deliver work to the highest standard. • Contribute to a collaborative, solutions-oriented team environment. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree required • 5–7 years of experience in hospitality, event planning, sponsorship activation, or related field • Experience executing high-level corporate events and hospitality programs • Experience managing budgets, vendors, and cross-functional teams • Agency or sports marketing experience preferred • Experience working with a range of vendors (hotels, transportation, catering, production, etc.) • Proven ability to manage client relationships and deliver complex programs Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: • Strong experience in planning and executing high-level hospitality programs and events. • Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously. • Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and reconciliation. ...