Manager, VIP & Special Events

We are seeking an experienced, creative, and highly organized Manager, VIP & Special Events to join our Premium Events & Experiences team. This individual will lead the end-to-end planning and execution of premium member events for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Valley Suns season ticket holders, creating memorable experiences that strengthen relationships, enhance member satisfaction, and support long-term retention and renewals.

Additionally, this role will oversee the game day VIP experience for Suns and Mercury games, ensuring ownership, celebrities, professional athletes, and other high-profile guests receive seamless, personalized, and exceptional hospitality.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented event professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings fresh ideas to the table, and takes pride in delivering best-in-class experiences.

Your Role on the Team

Premium Member Events & Experiences

• Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of premium season ticket holder events for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Valley Suns, from initial concept and strategy through on-site execution and post-event evaluation.
• Develop innovative, engaging event concepts that elevate the member experience, strengthen relationships, and support organizational retention and renewal objectives.
• Own all aspects of event planning, including venue selection, event design, entertainment, food and beverage, vendor sourcing, production, gifting, staffing, and guest experience.
• Develop and manage comprehensive event budgets, timelines, production schedules, run of show documents, staffing plans, and logistical details to ensure flawless execution.
• Collaborate closely with Ticket Sales, Membership Services, Marketing, Building Operations Operations, and other internal stakeholders to align event programming with member needs and business objectives.
• Oversee event invitations, RSVP management, guest communications, and attendance tracking to ensure a seamless experience from invitation through event completion.
• Serve as the primary on-site event lead, managing vendors, internal teams, guest experience, and real-time problem-solving.
• Track and evaluate event performance through attendance, member feedback, budget management, and other key performance indicators; prepare post-event recaps and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Game Day VIP Experiences

• Oversee the end-to-end VIP guest experience for Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury home games, ensuring a consistent, elevated standard of hospitality.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for VIP requests involving ownership, celebrities, professional athletes, prominent business leaders, and other high-profile guests.
• Coordinate VIP game day logistics, including ticketing, premium seating, parking, credentials, arrival and entry procedures, hospitality arrangements, and special accommodations.
• Partner with Security, Ticket Operations, Basketball Operations, Premium Hospitality, and other departments to ensure seamless coordination and execution of VIP visits.
• Develop and maintain standardized VIP processes, communication protocols, and guest tracking procedures to ensure requests are handled efficiently, discreetly, and consistently.
• Anticipate guest needs, proactively resolve challenges, and identify thoughtful opportunities to create memorable, personalized experiences.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality when working with ownership, executives, celebrities, athletes, and other high-profile individuals.

Department Collaboration & Operational Excellence

• Support broader Premium Events & Experiences initiatives and organizational tentpole events as needed.
• Identify opportunities to elevate event quality, improve operational efficiencies, and introduce innovative experiences that differentiate Player 15 Group.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and hospitality partners to ensure exceptional service and execution.
• Maintain accurate event documentation, budgets, guest information, and post-event reporting to support departmental planning and continuous improvement.

Your Skills and Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in event management, premium hospitality, sports and entertainment, VIP services, or a related field.
• Proven experience independently managing events from concept through completion, including creative development, budgeting, logistics, vendor management, and on-site execution.
• Experience delivering high-touch hospitality experiences for VIPs, executives, celebrities, professional athletes, or other high-profile guests.
• Strong creative vision with the ability to develop unique event concepts while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and operational excellence.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple events, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence and professionalism to work directly with senior executives, ownership representatives, and high-profile guests.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, solve problems quickly, exercise sound judgment, and remain composed under pressure.
• A proactive, collaborative, service-oriented mindset with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and event management, ticketing, CRM, or project management systems; experience with Cvent preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and home games, as required.
• Bachelor's degree in event management, hospitality, business, sports management, marketing, or a related field preferred.