Event Sales Manager

The Senate is seeking an Event Sales Manager with experience and proven success in the special events market. The ideal candidate will match our team’s passion for producing one-of-a-kind, amazing events for our Clients. This person will be driven with an entrepreneurial spirit, resourceful, innovative, forward-thinking, and committed to delivering the highest level of customer service and value to our Clients. The Event Sales Director is responsible for the booking of special events, marketing, production and maintaining the budgets of these events.

WHAT THIS ROLE WILL DO

• Network, research and cold call potential clients to create new business opportunities. Represent the venue to potential clients conducting facility tours, answers questions regarding venue logistics and event operations. Manage client relationships. Create event proposals and budgets. Negotiate, create, and close contracts. Collect event deposits and contract signatures once event(s) are confirmed.
• Build/generate new leads to increase size of potential client database with market prospecting to include, but not limited to conventions, corporations, DMCs, tour operators, meeting planners, associations, SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal) groups, concierges, hotels, organizations (i.e. Chamber of Commerce, Convention Center, Convention & Visitors Bureau, etc.)
• Oversee special event staff; including, assist GM with supervising bar, wait and security personnel. Ensure that special events staff is adhering to company policy regarding rentals and special event execution. Be available to advise or make recommendations on any issues that may arise in the event process.
• Utilize CRM platform to follow up with clients to maintain business relationship and ensure past events met client’s expectations, place holds for future dates/show if event could become reoccurring.
• Respond to inquiries on availability, pricing and locations. Negotiate deal terms and pricing.
• Works with legal to prepare and execute contracts and letter agreements once proposals are accepted.
• Create competitive pricing models that drive the maximum revenue possible for the venue. Track sales and devise plans to reach annual goals.
• Develop strategic collateral materials, online marketing and other strategic tools to generate activity.
• Develop & strategize VIP sales at the venue with the General Manager and Talent Buyer
• Train and manage special event staff alongside management; wait and security personnel. Ensure that special events staff is adhering to company policy regarding rentals and special event execution. Be available to advise or make recommendations on any issues that may arise in the event process.
• Monitor changes in the sales / special events industry and develop strategies to improve and adjust to those changes
• Become involved in local and national outside organizations directly related to the hospitality industry (i.e. MPI, PCMA, ISES, HSMAI)
• Attend local trade shows, participate in sales blitzes and other off-site sales efforts
• Oversee all departmental accounting paperwork.
• Meet and exceed monthly, quarterly and yearly financial goals
• Weekly reports to the GM on corporate sales trends, bookings, sales recaps and department productivity
• Submit monthly reports to GM and corporate team including, but not limited to: Special Event Revenue Report, Forecast, Revenue Pipeline, Talent Cost, Event Export Reports, Revenue Breakdown and Lost Business
• Provide a positive and creative team environment within the department. Maintain open communication and handle conflict resolution with staff.
• Conduct evaluations of staff, outline goals and monitor progress, maintain action plans, propose/ raise recommendations
• Ensure staff training is complete and satisfactory. Ensure consistent and on-going mentoring for department employees
• Monitor department office procedures.

WHAT THIS PERSON WILL BRING

• Minimum of 5 years sales experience in the hospitality/special events industry.
• 3 years of team leadership experience.
• Working knowledge of local and regional markets, restaurant and venue operations, and possess computer savvy/software proficiency (MSOffice, spreadsheets, databases, word processing).
• Skilled in interpersonal communications, organization, financial knowledge, and team building.
• Ability to delegate, follow up, relate to staff, guests and partners in a positive effective manner.
• Tolerance of all cultures, music and art forms.
• COVID-19 vaccination will be required for this position subject to legally valid exemptions.
• Passion for what you do and how you do it.

PREFERRED:

• Prior experience working in music venues
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Advanced Degree in Sales, Marketing, or a related field preferred

PHYSICAL WORK DEMANDS

• Ability to work in a very fast paced environment with considerable noise and interruptions. Must be able to change activity frequently.
• Flexible Schedule (days/nights, weekends)

Job Type: This role is best described as hybrid as it is reasonably flexible and much of the day to day can be done remotely. However, this role does require the ability to visit the venue for conducting tours, working events and attending networking/sales events.

Location: Columbia, SC

Status: Full-Time

Reports to: General Manager & Talent Buyer

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
We are an equal employment opportunity employer and comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical, medical or mental disability or condition (including, without limitation, HIV and AIDS), developmental disability, handicap, denial of family and medical care leave, denial of pregnancy leave, domestic partner status, status as a victim of sexual or domestic violence (or familial relationship to such victim), veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, arrest records, citizenship status, criminal history that has been expunged, unfavorable discharge from the military, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Columbia, SC 29201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbia, SC 29201

Salary : $45,000 - $60,000