Job Description
Hi! We’re SPARK Social
We activate outdoor spaces through food, events, and vibrant shared experiences. Our parks bring communities together through food trucks, beer and wine gardens, mini-golf, reservations, private events, and public programming.
Private events are a major part of what we do. From corporate outings and celebrations to fundraisers and family reunions, these events bring people together in unique outdoor environments.
The Private Events Planner is responsible for transforming customer vision into memorable experiences.
The Role
We are seeking a Private Events Planner to coordinate and execute private events across our parks and off-site services.
This role ensures that once an event is sold, all logistics are clearly planned, documented, and communicated so that the event can be delivered successfully.
The Private Events Planner serves as the primary client contact during the planning process, coordinating vendors, internal teams, and operational details.
This role sits at the intersection of sales, logistics, and hospitality.
The Sales Manager is primarily responsible for outbound lead generation and closing new business, while the Private Events Planner focuses on event readiness and successful execution.
The Private Events Planner may also assist with inbound event inquiries and conversions, working within the systems and sales standards established by the Sales team.
What This Role Actually DoesEvent Planning & Client Coordination
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients after an event has been booked.
Guide clients through the planning process and ensure all details are clearly documented and communicated.
Responsibilities include:
- Developing event timelines and logistics
- Confirming reservation details and guest counts
- Coordinating food and beverage plans with vendors
- Managing event add-ons such as rentals, entertainment, or experiential components
- Ensuring clients understand how the park operates and what to expect
Clear documentation and communication are essential so that operational teams can execute events smoothly.
Sales Collaboration & Event Feasibility
Private events often move through several stages before they occur. While the Sales Manager focuses on generating and closing opportunities, the Private Events Planner ensures each event is operationally ready for execution.
This includes reviewing event details before or immediately after bookings are confirmed to ensure clarity and feasibility.
Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing proposals and commitments made during the sales process
- Confirming timelines, space usage, guest counts, and event structure
- Identifying logistical challenges or operational conflicts early
- Collaborating with the Sales Manager to adjust plans when necessary
- Ensuring event details are documented clearly in the CRM and internal systems
This process ensures that what is sold can be delivered consistently and successfully once the event reaches the park.
Vendor & Logistics Coordination
Many events involve additional vendors and service components.
The Private Events Planner is responsible for coordinating logistics such as:
- Food vendors or catering services
- Entertainment or experiential vendors
- Rentals and event equipment
- Alcohol service logistics when applicable
- Event timelines and vendor arrivals
The goal is to ensure every event has a clear and realistic operational plan.
Internal Coordination
Private events involve collaboration across many parts of the organization.
The Private Events Planner regularly works with:
- The Sales Manager, who generates and closes new business
- The Hospitality Operations Manager, who oversees park operations and Guest Experience Hosts
- Facilities teams responsible for maintaining the park
- Food vendors operating within the park
- Programming teams coordinating public events
Because Guest Experience Hosts provide much of the on-the-ground support for events, the Private Events Planner must clearly communicate operational needs ahead of time.
Event Execution
Depending on the complexity of the event, the Private Events Planner may attend events on-site to coordinate execution.
- Responsibilities may include:
- Ensuring vendors arrive and set up correctly
- Coordinating with Guest Experience Hosts assisting the event
- Greeting clients and confirming event details
- Troubleshooting logistical issues
- Ensuring the event runs smoothly for guests
Events often occur evenings and weekends, so flexibility in scheduling is required.
Inbound Event Sales Support
While outbound sales is primarily handled by the Sales Manager, the Private Events Planner may assist with inbound event inquiries when appropriate.
Responsibilities will include:
- Responding to inbound event inquiries
- Preparing proposals and pricing guidance
- Converting qualified inbound leads into booked events
- Working within the CRM and sales standards established by the Sales team
This requires someone comfortable balancing sales awareness with operational planning.
About You
Highly Organized: You can manage many timelines and details simultaneously.
Strong Communicator: You communicate clearly with clients, vendors, and internal teams.
Collaborative: You work effectively with many departments to coordinate complex events.
Problem Solver: You stay calm under pressure and adapt quickly when plans change.
Service-Oriented: You want clients and guests to have excellent experiences.
Background & Experience
2–4+ years of event planning, venue, hospitality, or catering experience
Experience coordinating vendors and logistics
Strong project management and organizational skills
Comfort working in fast-moving hospitality environments
English fluency required
Conversational Spanish required
How We Measure Success
Events run smoothly and according to plan
Clients feel supported and satisfied
Event details are clearly documented and communicated to operational teams
Strong collaboration with sales and park operations teams
Repeat clients and referrals generated through positive event experiences
Real Talk
Events are joyful for guests and intense for the people producing them.
Planning requires managing many moving parts, and event days often require quick problem-solving when unexpected issues arise.
You may be working while others are celebrating — helping create memorable experiences for hundreds of guests at a time.
If coordinating complex logistics and bringing events to life sounds fulfilling, you’ll likely thrive in this role.
Schedule
Full-time position
Planning typically occurs during business hours
Events often take place evenings and weekends, as part of your 40 hours/week (not in addition to)
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $70,000 – $80,000 annually, depending on experience
Commission opportunities available for events booked
After 90 days of employment, Sick Pay, Health Insurance, 401k, Pre-Tax Transit, and Paid Time Off are available to full-time employees
Fair Chance
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.