Director of Audio Visual Sales & Operations
Chicago, IL | Full-Time | On-Site
About Royal Productions
Royal Productions is a national AV and live event production company with over 37 years in the business. We partner with premier hotel properties across the United States to deliver in‑house AV and event technology programs that set the standard for quality and service. From high‑profile conferences and galas to corporate general sessions and national media events, our teams are on the ground making it happen every day.
The Role
We're expanding into the Chicago market with a new in‑house AV partnership at a premier downtown hotel and are looking for a Director of Audio Visual Sales & Operations to lead it from the ground up. This is a high‑visibility role for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced hospitality environment, knows how to build client relationships, and can run a technical operation without missing a beat.
You will own everything – sales, operations, staffing, and client experience. You will be the face of Royal Productions at this property and the standard‑setter for everything that happens in that AV department. If you are someone who takes pride in running a tight ship, developing your team, and making clients feel like they are in the best hands in the building, this role was built for you.
What You'll Do
- Drive AV revenue at the property through proactive client engagement, upselling, and strategic relationship building with event planners, meeting professionals, and the hotel sales team
- Serve as the primary AV contact during the pre‑event planning process – consult with clients, understand their vision, and present solutions that exceed their expectations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with repeat clients and key accounts
- Partner closely with the hotel's catering and events team to stay ahead of the booking calendar and maximize AV capture
Operations & Event Execution
- Oversee the setup, operation, and strike of AV equipment for all hotel events – general sessions, banquets, breakouts, social events, and everything in between
- Make sure every event runs on time, on spec, and without surprises
- Serve as the on‑site technical lead for complex or high‑profile productions when needed
- Establish and enforce quality control procedures so every event reflects Royal Productions' standards, not just minimum requirements
- Lead, mentor, and manage your AV team – set the tone, hold the standard, and develop people who want to grow
- Handle scheduling, performance feedback, and day‑to‑day team management
- Run ongoing technical and soft skills training to keep the team sharp and current
- Build a department culture where accountability and excellent service are the baseline, not the goal
Budget, Inventory & Reporting
- Own the department budget – forecast revenue, manage expenses, and hit profitability targets
- Oversee AV equipment inventory – maintenance, condition tracking, and recommending upgrades when needed
- Generate and present regular performance reports on sales, operations, and team metrics to Royal Productions leadership
- Make sure all AV setups meet safety standards, hotel policies, and applicable regulations
What We're Looking For
The Essentials
- 4+ years of experience in AV operations and sales, with at least 2 years in a leadership role in a hotel or hospitality environment
- Strong technical background across audio, video, lighting, and control systems – you can troubleshoot on your feet and teach others to do the same
- Proven track record driving AV revenue and building client relationships in a hotel setting
- Experience managing a team and developing people, not just supervising them
- Comfortable managing a budget and being held accountable to revenue and expense targets
- Excellent communicator – with clients, hotel staff, your team, and Royal Productions leadership
- Willing to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as event schedules require
Bonus Points
- CTS, CTS‑D, or CTS‑I certification
- Experience with a national in‑house AV company in a hotel environment
- Familiarity with Crestron, Q‑SYS, or similar control and DSP platforms
- Bachelor's degree in a related field (equivalent experience absolutely considered)
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development and growth opportunities within a national company
Why Royal Productions
- 37+ years in business – stable, respected, and still growing into new markets
- The autonomy to run your department like it's yours – because it is
- The opportunity to build something from the ground up at a premier Chicago property
Royal Productions is an equal opportunity employer:
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