Rental Manager, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Rental Manager, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Job Profile Title

Supervisor C

Job Description Summary

The Rental Manager oversees all aspects of the Arboretum’s extensive Rental Program (overly 100 events annually). The Manager is responsible for meeting revenue goals, supervising rental staff and third-party vendors, ensuring exceptional customer service, and managing rental operations and bookings. The Rental Manager acts as the main point of contact for all booked clients and rental activities, ensuring smooth events and happy clients.

Duties

Job Description

Client/Customer Service

The Rental Manager works toward ensuring that the Arboretum’s rental clients have a wonderful experience, which requires extensive communications and planning. The Rental Manager acts as the primary point of contact for all contracted rental clients. They will communicate with clients regarding contracting, planning, policies, problem-solving and payments. The Manager also spearheads booking new clients, which includes on-site venue tours and potential client communications. They will plan for and address client satisfaction, while adhering to Arboretum policies and procedures.

Staff & Event Management

The Rental Manager supervises, supports, and coaches a diverse group of 5-8 part-time rental staff, ensuring a high level of professionalism and service-orientation. They are the on-site manager for rental events throughout the year. The Manager serves as the on-call manager for rental-related emergencies. The Rental Manager manages relationships and quality assurance with third-party vendors (primarily caterers) who serve on-site during events.

Operations

This role entails operational responsibility for the Rentals Program, including: event staff scheduling, financial transactions, client contracting, and managing event details/activities. The Rental Manager collaborates with the Facilities and Visitor Experience departments on event logistics.

Marketing & Business Development

The Rental Manager spearheads Rental Program marketing initiatives. Generates ideas for new revenue-generating rental options and for improving current rental offerings. Stays abreast of rental/wedding trends and demand.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, the new Rental Manager will be:

• Customer focused and have extensive experience serving customers/clients in a rental-related operation, preferably weddings.
• Experienced with managing and planning events, preferably in a leadership capacity. Experience with events sales a plus.
• Able to demonstrate experience with and the ability to manage staff.
• Calm under pressure, comfortable interacting with diverse groups, and able to think on their feet. The ideal candidate will have experience working with wedding couples or similarly intense groups of people.
• Experienced with rental/event-related marketing and sales.
• Professional, self-confident, comfortable addressing issues directly, and willing to jump in where needed.
• Great with details and information.
• Strong with both verbal and written communications.
• Able to laugh when unexpected changes occur.
  
  
  

The Candidate Will Also Have

• A high school diploma/GED and 3-5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education an experience.
• A valid driver’s license.
• The ability and willingness to work regular weekends and evenings.
• The stamina to work outside and be moving regularly.
  
  
  

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.

About The Morris Arboretum & Gardens

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants and people through education, research, and horticultural display.

Located in the Northwest section of the city, the Morris Arboretum is a destination for plant lovers from Philadelphia and beyond. The Arboretum is home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. A hub for botany, horticulture, and urban forestry, the Morris Arboretum is a special part of Penn. More information can be found here: Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSupervisor C

Department / School

Morris Arboretum

Pay Range

$20.45 - $31.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and

the pay range assigned to the job profile.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
  
  
  

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay