Director of Business Development

Overview of Association

State Fair Park is home to the Central Washington State Fair, Yakima SunDome and various facilities that support event activity year-round. This 125-area campus is the largest multi-purpose venue in Central Washington, hosting over 200 events annually. The Central Washington State Fair is a ten-day Fair that has existed for more than 130 years, celebrating the heritage and agriculture of the Yakima Valley. In addition to the annual Fair, the Association also self-produces an additional four events annually.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a dynamic individual to oversee the organization’s business development activities as well as all functions of marketing and the Association’s Foundation. This position will oversee a staff of three as well as working directly with Association’s advertising agency and reports directly to the President and CEO.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Marketing Leadership

• Work with staff to develop and implement comprehensive marketing, social media and communication strategies to promote all self-produced events.
• Enhance existing promotional initiatives and design innovative programs to maximize ROI, including partnerships, sponsorships and new media opportunities.
• Create and manage budgets for the Central Washington Fair Association’s Foundation, all self-produced events, and corporate sponsorship programs, ensuring financial accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee the marketing budget, ensuring a strategic allocation of resources across the campaigns and initiatives. Work with advertising agency to create media buys and creative media promotions and unique engagement opportunities.
• Work closely with senior leadership and other departments to align marketing efforts with overall organizational goals, marketing self-produced events and ensure cohesive messaging.
• Work with staff to manage and design website content, creating engaging, user-friendly experience.
• Serve on Union Gap lodging tax committee to include attending meetings and preparing funding requests and follow up reports.

Event Development and Event Logistics

• Work laterally across the organization to assist with programming development, creative content, and event logistics for self-produced events.
• Serve on the Fair Planning Committee, helping to drive theme creation, creative concepts, promotional ideas and content for the annual Fair.
• Assist staff in implementing event deliverables for self-produced events.

Brand Development and Customer Engagement

• Manage brand positioning to ensure consistency across all platforms and touchpoints, enhancing the overall public perception of the facility.
• Guide the development of promotional content, ensuring that it reflects the Association’s goals and reaches target demographics effectively.
• Analyze customer experience metrics to identify improvement opportunities and drive repeat attendance.
• Provide strategic focus on marketing, communications, customer engagement, and brand management to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with the Association’s brand and values effectively.

Media, Sponsorships and Partnerships

• Supervise Sponsorship Manager to ensure sponsorship goals are attained for all self-produced events.
• Assist in sponsorship oversight and outreach, preparing sponsorship proposals and helping evaluate sponsorship proposals.
• Assist President and CEO in managing responsibilities as spokesperson and liaison with media, representing the Association’s events.
• Assist agency with media buys and make recommendations for media placement.
• Work with community partners and organizations to identify ways to connect and engage stakeholders to our brand and self-produced events.

Venue Rentals and Group Sales

• Supervise Sales Manager to ensure event rental and group sales goals are attained.
• Assist in developing marketing and outreach strategies for venue rentals/off-site catering, group sales.

Leadership and Development

• Effectively lead, mentor, and develop business development team to foster culture of creativity, accountability, and high performance.
• Promote positive employee relations, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team culture.
• Demonstration of and ensuring delivery of excellent customer service, staff training, and a positive work culture.
• Coach and provide actionable feedback to team members for professional growth.
• Work with direct reports to develop annual department operating budgets and KPIs.
• Work laterally across the organization to assist with programming development, creative concepts, promotional ideas, and ways to drive Community outreach and engagement.

Digital and Social Media Strategy

• Supervise Marketing and Social Media Specialist to ensure all social media platforms are maximized and tell our brand story and drive strategies.
• Collaborate with staff to develop digital marketing strategies, including social media campaigns and email marketing, while leveraging analytics tools to track KPIs.
• Analyze and report on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and strategies, adjusting tactics as needed to improve outcomes.

Association Foundation

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies including the Commemorative Brick & Bench Program, and the Sid Morrison Ag Education Fund, to support educational programming and capital projects.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders. Oversee annual giving campaigns.
• Plan and execute donor-focused events and fundraising initiatives, such as the annual Roast & Toast event and campaign-specific promotions to increase visibility and contributions.
• Support board development, provide regular updates on fundraising activities, and assist in setting annual goals and benchmarks.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote Foundation initiatives through digital, print, and public relations channels. Develop compelling messaging to inspire giving and raise awareness.
• Maintain accurate donor records and ensure all financial tracking.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Exceptional communication skills, with an expert ability to present and communicate new ideas and concepts, edit and proofread marketing materials.
• Ability to work effectively internally and externally in gaining consensus with cross functional work teams and to establish strong relationships with various stakeholders and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A proven track record in meeting objectives and managing a team.
• Works well under pressure and deadline commitments and proven history of ability to work on several projects simultaneously.
• Highly organized and proficient in all Microsoft products.
• Ability to deliver best in class customer service in all areas of day-to-day work with client partner and staff interactions.
• Steadfast personal qualities, including integrity, character, positive attitude, credibility, and commitment.
• Ability to occasionally work non-traditional hours to support event schedule.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

A minimum of five years of sales and marketing experience with a proven track record for success, preferably in sponsorship, media or festival/event sales.

Degree in Business Administration, Communication or Marketing preferred, however some experience can be substituted for educational requirements.

COMPENSATION

This is an exempt salaried position with an annual salary of $80, 000 - $85,000 plus commission. The commission plan provides quarterly commission on revenues from sponsorship, off-site catering and group sales. There are no cap limits on commissions.

BENEFITS: Medical, Dental, Vision, Aflac, Life/AD&D, Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, 401k plan. Paid time off includes vacation and sick leave. Holiday recognition based upon organization policy.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: Please submit your resume along with a cover letter outlining your experience and accomplishments related to this opportunity. Email your resume and cover letter to erinr@fairfun.com referencing “Director of Business Development.”