WEDDING & PRIVATE EVENT SALES MANAGER

Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed established monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue goals for weddings, private events, corporate events, meetings, celebrations, and assigned group experiences.
• Manage the complete sales cycle, including prospecting, lead qualification, consultations, venue tours, proposals, negotiation, contracts, deposits, and closing business.
• Respond to qualified sales inquiries promptly, with a goal of initial response within 24 hours.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and proactively generate new business through outbound prospecting, networking, referrals, wedding shows, community outreach, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate decision-makers, wedding and meeting planners, tourism partners, community organizations, event vendors, and other referral sources.
• Maximize revenue through upselling and cross-selling RIVERSPORT venues, Adventures, team building, dragon boating, food and beverage, rentals, and other available products and services.
• Re-engage previous clients and develop strategies to increase repeat and referral business.
• Represent RIVERSPORT and the Boathouse Vows brand at industry events, networking opportunities, wedding shows, and appropriate community events.
• Partner with Marketing to support event listings, sales collateral, digital campaigns, promotions, social content, and lead-generation initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of competing venues, market pricing, event trends, packages, and customer preferences, and recommend pricing or package adjustments to the Revenue Director.
• Serve as the primary client relationship owner from booking through event completion and post-event follow-up.
• Ensure contracts, deposits, payments, insurance requirements, event details, layouts, timelines, and other required documentation are complete and accurate.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of event coordinators and private-event setup staff, including scheduling, work assignments, training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Ensure each event is appropriately staffed and that event coordinators and setup staff understand client expectations, timelines, room layouts, setup requirements, and service standards.
• Oversee event setup and readiness to ensure contracted commitments and RIVERSPORT standards are met; conduct or delegate pre-event briefings as appropriate.
• Monitor staffing levels and labor usage to maintain service standards while managing labor costs within established budgets.
• Address client, staffing, or service issues promptly and escalate significant personnel or operational matters to the Revenue Director when appropriate.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, and training seasonal or part-time private-event staff as needed.
• Conduct post-event follow-up and reviews to assess client satisfaction, identify operational improvements, and pursue reviews, referrals, repeat business, and future sales opportunities.
• Maintain accurate CRM or sales tracking records, including leads, proposals, contracts, booked and lost business, lead sources, and client activity.
• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and revenue forecast and provide regular reporting to the Revenue Director on revenue, lead activity, conversion rates, average event value, new/repeat business, and other established KPIs.
• Participate in annual revenue goal setting and continually evaluate sales and event results to identify opportunities to improve revenue, profitability, conversion, and client experience.
• Work collaboratively with Athletics, Adventures, Development, Marketing, Operations, and other departments to maximize cross-selling opportunities and deliver a consistent client experience.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned while maintaining RIVERSPORT standards of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.

Requirements

• Demonstrated sales ability with experience in event, hospitality, venue, catering, wedding, group sales, or business development and a track record of developing relationships, closing business, and achieving revenue goals.
• Strong prospecting, negotiation, presentation, networking, communication, and closing skills.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working in a performance-driven, commission-based sales environment.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple clients, prospects, events, deadlines, priorities, and sales data simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, schedule, and hold employees accountable while balancing client expectations, event execution, staffing requirements, and labor costs.
• Ability to understand and accommodate diverse wedding traditions, cultural practices, and client preferences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to effectively use CRM, event-management, social media, and digital sales platforms.
• Ability to build productive relationships across departments and with external partners while demonstrating RIVERSPORT's mission, values, and standards of professional conduct.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Nice to have

• Previous experience supervising, coordinating, or leading event, hospitality, or service staff preferred.

Benefits

• This position is designed as a base salary plus uncapped commission sales position.
• Recommended Base Salary: $46,000-$50,000
• Target Total Compensation: Approximately $65,000-$75,000 at expected performance, with the opportunity to exceed $80,000 for high performers.
• Commission is earned on eligible event and group-sales revenue in accordance with RIVERSPORT's Sales Commission Plan.