Venue Sales Manager

Title: Venue Sales Manager

Department: Facility Sales

Reports to: Director of Facility Sales

Summary

Ensemble Arts seeks a dynamic and driven Venue Sales Manager to join our Facility Sales team. This role is responsible for managing all aspects of external event sales, with a strong emphasis on building our corporate & nonprofit event pipeline, while also supporting our Wedding and Mainstage Performance events. From the first inquiry to signed agreement, you’ll lead the entire sales cycle, driving revenue and creating memorable experiences at one of Philadelphia’s most iconic performing arts organizations.

We are a mission-driven organization, every event we host helps support our programming, community initiatives, and civic engagement. The ideal candidate will be equal parts revenue-minded, relationship-driven, and passionate about making our spaces more accessible to businesses and communities alike. The Venue Sales Manager will join a close-knit Facility Sales team and directly support the Director of Facility Sales with department administrative responsibilities.

We are home to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, the Miller Theater and more. This position plays a key role in welcoming new clients and their guests, deepening our community ties, and supporting our mission through earned revenue. We believe that a vibrant civic arts space begins with great events, great service, and great people behind the scenes.

Essential Functions

• Manage the full sales cycle for third-party events: respond to inquiries, conduct site visits, draft estimates and license agreements, and continuously close bookings.
• Actively prospect and cultivate new leads, with a focus on building long-term relationships with local corporations, non-profit organizations, planners, and event professionals.
• Maximize revenue through effective venue utilization, especially in low seasons and underutilized spaces.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (e.g. Catering, Production, Facilities, and Audience Experience) to ensure smooth event handoff and execution.
• Maintain accurate records of all client communication, pipeline activity, and performance reporting in the CRM.
• Maintain awareness of progress toward Department Revenue Sales Goal(s).
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills exuding a warm, outgoing personality when working with potential and existing clients and Ensemble Arts staff overall.
• Maintain working knowledge of IATSE Stagehand, Wardrobe and Teamsters CBA’s and understand how they pertain to the events business here at Ensemble Arts.
• Represent the organization professionally at networking events, open houses, and industry activations.

Education/Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of successful event sales experience, ideally in a public assembly venue, or similar hospitality setting.
• Impeccable customer service skills, friendly and a genuine interest in helping create memorable events for our clients and communities.
• Familiarity with organized labor collective bargaining agreements, including IATSE.
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of leads while closing business and meeting revenue targets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfort presenting to both individual clients and corporate groups.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and the Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Google, Adobe, OneDrive; experience in creating and working within web-based platforms or willingness to learn quickly is required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Existing relationships with Philadelphia and the greater Mid-Atlantic corporate clients, event planners, and DMCs.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, arts, or cultural institution.
• Familiarity with multi-venue facilities or large event campuses.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Must be able to work onsite in Center City Philadelphia and be available for early morning, evening and/or weekend events; we keep non-traditional hours.

Application Requirements

Resume and cover letter are required when applying for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, or military service.