Director of Hospitality Services, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve Events

About Quint

Quint is the industry-leading provider of official ticket and hospitality packages to many of the world's most prominent sports and entertainment events. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with offices in six countries, Quint’s global footprint and proprietary technology platform continue to be the foundation of their exponential growth. Quint's innovative programs enable partnership properties to expand fan experiences and corporate client entertainment opportunities in a way that reflects the quality and prestige of those brands. Quint has a portfolio of 15+ official property partnerships servicing over 90 events including Formula 1, NBA, Kentucky Derby, MotoGP, Lusail International Circuit, Breeders Cup, Belmont Stakes and the NHL.

About the Role

This is a Third-party contractor role.

As the Director of Hospitality Services, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve Events, your contribution to the organization will be to ensure an above and beyond experience for hospitality guests at all circuit events where Quint is contracted as the official hospitality management provider.

You will develop and manage all hospitality areas for events held at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve for which Quint is the Official Hospitality Management Provider. This includes, but is not limited to, conceptual design, venue design, product development, catering delivery and management, fit-out supplier management, RFP processes where required, budgeting and inventory, temporary infrastructure, safety and security, access control, and staffing.

The role requires strong commercial and operational judgement, including the ability to understand product requirements across different hospitality price points, make smart decisions that protect the guest experience, and manage assigned budgets in a way that supports margin growth and overall program profitability.

You will have deliverables to both internal and external stakeholders. External stakeholders include but are not limited to Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Formula 1®, Dorna, and Global Partners.

You will also support other hospitality operations within the Quint organization.

Core Responsibilities

Autódromo Internacional do Algarve Operations Liaison

• Lead product design efforts with the circuit to establish and clearly define quality standards and project expectations.
  • Document and track agreed project metrics.
  • Manage and lead all supplier relationships and partnerships on behalf of the circuit.
  • Lead supplier conversations, recommendations, selection processes, and ongoing supplier management to ensure the right partners are appointed for each element of the program.
• Lead or support RFP processes where required, including development of scope, supplier briefing, proposal review, comparison of commercial submissions, supplier recommendations, and final selection.
• Work with internal teams and external suppliers to define infrastructure requirements, including temporary structures, tenting, back-of-house spaces, kitchen requirements, guest flows, access, utilities, and operational support areas.
• Establish and maintain project timelines to be ready for all circuit events and meet established quality standards as agreed by Quint and the circuit.
• Collaborate with Quint Partnership/Business Development team to generate all requested reports and presentations to the circuit.

Guest Experience and Event Management

• Responsible for the planning and on-site delivery of all hospitality services for Autódromo Internacional do Algarve through both direct actions and team management for 2+ events annually ranging from 200 to 10,000 guests per event beginning with event launch up to a year in advance of event date.
  • Planning and on-site delivery must meet the standards/requirements of both the circuit and Quint.
• Responsible for understanding the guest experience, operational requirements, and commercial expectations of each hospitality product, ensuring delivery is appropriate for the relevant price point and product tier.
• Responsible for supporting the planning and on-site delivery of hospitality through both direct actions and team management for other programs/partnerships as assigned.
• Event planning includes (but is not limited to):
  • Designing and producing cohesive, brand-aligned, and engaging hospitality spaces in collaboration with Marketing/Creative and vendors including branding, décor, live activations, furniture, room diagrams, etc.
  • Understanding and defining temporary structure and tenting requirements in collaboration with suppliers, including structure type, layout, capacity, access points, kitchen and back-of-house requirements, utilities, guest flow, and operational feasibility.
  • Creating detailed run of show documentation to ensure a seamless guest experience considering appearances, entertainment, live sporting schedules, guest movement, mealtimes, etc.
  • Coordinating with the internal graphic design team to produce required assets such as credentials, signage, large format graphics, etc.
  • Managing scheduling and timeline requirements for guests and staff across fulfillment, transportation, hotel check-ins, hospitality, tours, experiences, etc.
  • Leading vendor/supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, and ongoing management for services such as food and beverage, production, fit-out, temporary structures, transportation, appearances, staffing services, gifts, etc.
    • Ensuring goods and services are delivered in accordance with the contract, agreed scope, timelines, quality expectations, and approved budget.
  • Leading RFP processes where required, including supplier briefing, scope development, proposal analysis, commercial comparison, supplier recommendation, and appointment.
  • Obtaining appropriate permits, licenses, and contracts required to deliver the event.
  • Providing information and collaborating with Guest Services and Guest Communications to ensure guests receive proactive and accurate information about their experience.
  • Working collaboratively with internal departments to ensure execution aligns to internal requirements such as Event Programs Management, Marketing/Creative, Sales, Partner Management, and Product Management.
  • Building and documenting plans into a standardized template to ensure successful on-site delivery with a focus on the guest experience including schedules/ROS, travel, staff assignments, staff training plans, guest movements, safety and security, etc.
  • Oversight and collaboration on physical and digital ticket management, including receiving, inventory checks, seat assignments, and distribution.
  • Ensuring fulfillment of guest orders through an in-depth, multi-step process including building Excel reports, generating shipping labels, interfacing with suppliers, quality control checks, packing and assembling parcels, detailed documentation, etc. is planned and executed per circuit and Quint requirements.

Leadership and Personnel Management

• Recruit, train, and manage any additional required staff such as event staff, housekeeping, hostesses, ticketing, etc.
  • Hire and develop quickly to meet event execution plans.
• Lead 2+ direct reports full or part-time and 100+ indirect reports part-time.
• Ensure accuracy and timely completion of your report(s) deliverables.
• Ensure proper etiquette and quality standards are maintained by reports.
• Focus on the team dynamic and encourage global collaboration.
• Ensure team is engaged and supporting overall event deliverables and not operating in a silo.
  • Collaboration with counterparts to cross utilize on-site staff for a positive employee experience and efficient operations. Champion a one team mentality across the hospitality team.

Financial Management

• Accountable for the operations portion of the circuit budget and any assigned portion(s) of the budget for other events, while holding the team accountable for accurate and responsible budget management.
• Lead and own budgets assigned to the program, making commercially smart decisions that protect the guest experience while supporting margin improvement and overall profitability.
• Effectively manage the event budget for your assigned portion(s) by aligning it with sales projections or anticipated sales derived from historical data and run rates.
  • Collaborate with department leaders to understand sales projections and any required budget adjustments.
• Maximize budget utilization through negotiation and internal collaboration.
• Review supplier proposals and commercial submissions to ensure costs are appropriate, competitive, and aligned with the product tier and expected guest experience.
• Ensure accurate and timely tracking of planned, forecasted and confirmed expenses.
• Responsible for supporting the development of budgets for circuit events through interdepartmental and cross-team collaboration.
• Identify opportunities to drive efficiencies, reduce unnecessary spend, improve supplier value, and increase program margins without compromising agreed quality standards.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• 7+ years’ experience in event planning and management.
  • Motorsport experience strongly preferred.
  • Venue opening experience strongly preferred.
  • Official service provider experience strongly preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience managing full-time, part-time, and contract labor.
• Experience leading RFP processes, supplier selection, supplier negotiations, and supplier management strongly preferred.
• Experience working with temporary structures, tented venues, overlay, event infrastructure, or large-scale temporary build environments strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of premium hospitality products, guest experience standards, and how product delivery should flex across different price points and hospitality tiers.
• Proven ability to manage budgets of at least 4M USD per event commercially, make cost-conscious decisions, and support margin improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Hospitality Management, Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Proficient computer skills including but not limited to Excel, CRM software, and project management tools.
• Eligibility to work in Portugal with established work visa strongly preferred.
• English proficiency required, Portuguese proficiency strongly preferred.

Interpersonal Skills and Traits

• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Highly adaptable and comfortable making decisions in new or changing situations.
• Detail oriented and results driven.
• Innovative problem solving.
• Collaborative and comfortable building relationships.
• Strong cultural understanding of the region and working within a global business.

Physical

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Extensive walking and standing for long periods while at events.
  
• Requires flexibility to work long hours and weekends, as needed, in addition to having the ability to travel up to 30% - targeted travel 18-25%.
  • Willing and eligible to travel internationally.
• Eligible to work in Portugal