VIP Experience Manager

About:

The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds approaching 60 mph. Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its fifth season.

SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. In 2020, SailGP set a new standard as the first climate positive sports and entertainment property and began delivering actions and innovations that advance the global adoption of clean energy. Underpinning the organization’s purpose-driven agenda is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender equity and inclusivity.

SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team - deliver quality, break boundaries, make an impact, stand together and strike a balance.

Summary:

The Adrenaline Lounge Experience Manager is responsible for planning, executing and overseeing all aspects of the SailGP Adrenaline Lounge. This role ensures that all VIP guests, sponsors and high profile attendees receive a premium, seamless and memorable experience from arrival to departure. The ideal candidate is a detail oriented hospitality professional with exceptional interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of luxury service standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Planning & Execution

Lead the design and delivery of the Adrenaline Lounge hospitality experience, including lounge design, guest flow and entertainment.

Collaborate with internal teams (operations, security, catering, workforce management etc.) to ensure the VIP experience aligns with premium standards.

Develop and manage VIP hospitality timelines, run-of-show documents and staffing plans.

Manage SailGP’s Guest Management System and Partner Hub for attendees at SailGP’s VIP lounges liaising with multiple key internal stakeholders including but not limited to Chief of Staff and Partnerships Team.

Ensure that event content is updated and distributed to all guests via the guest management system, event app and associated collateral.

Effectively manage the budget for the Adrenaline Lounge with support from the Director of Experience. 

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

Serve as the primary point of contact for VIP guests and partners during the event.

Ensure all staff (most notably brand ambassadors) deliver top-tier, personalised service and maintain professionalism at all times.

Anticipate and resolve guest issues promptly and discreetly.

Be onsite at the SailGP Adrenaline Lounge at all SailGP events to manage the guest check in process and be the ‘go to’ contact for any movement requests in and out this space.

Team Leadership

Train and manage the VIP hospitality team, including hosts and brand ambassadors.

Conduct pre-event briefings to align the team on experience expectations alongside safety requirements etc.

Monitor staff performance and provide real-time feedback to ensure service quality.

Partnerships & Brand Management

Work closely with the partnerships team to ensure fulfillment of VIP deliverables required as well as any specific partner requests.

Manage relationships with premium vendors, luxury partners and service suppliers.

Post-Event Reporting

Collect guest feedback and compile post-event reports evaluating VIP satisfaction, operational success and areas for improvement in line with the Experience Operations Lead/Manager.

Provide recommendations and take ownership of plans to enhance the Adrenaline Lounge. 

Key Expectations:

Promotes SailGP Values and contributes to a positive culture

Fosters a work environment where diversity is valued, respected, and celebrated through inclusive leadership

Develop creative solutions that allow for quality work to be delivered

Drive collaboration and team work within their team and amongst wider department recognising their personal impact and utilising this effectively

Promote working practices that enable a healthy work life balance within the team and celebrate wellbeing

Supports and displays out of the box thinking guiding this to align with SailGP's strategic objectives

Support teams with developmental goals and growth plans utilising a coaching mindset to enable and empower

Seizes opportunities to impact Better Sport, Better Planet

Strives for the commercial sustainability of SailGP considering this at all parts of budget management

Effectively presents with impact

About You: 

Substantial experience in hospitality, event management or guest experience roles, preferably within luxury, entertainment or sports environments.

Proven track record of managing VIP or high-profile client experiences.

Exceptional communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Strong understanding of hospitality standards, event logistics and service excellence principles.

Availability to work extended hours, weekends and holidays as required by the SailGP event calendar. 

Location:

SailGP HQ in London, United Kingdom. Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week in the London Office. This role will have event travel. 

SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.