"Assistant Director of Venue Sales"

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.

Job Description Summary

Reporting to Penn Live Arts' Director of Events and Guest Services, the Assistant Director of Venue Sales plays a key role in driving revenue growth and ensuring exceptional client experiences across PLA's venues. With a strong focus on sales, business development, and client relationship management, this position is responsible for marketing, booking, and executing external rental events and internal University events. The Assistant Director will uphold the highest standards of customer care while overseeing event logistics, vendor partnerships, and client communications.

This role supervises Event Services Coordinators and works closely with the Director of Events and Guest Services to achieve departmental goals, explicitly increasing rental revenue annually. Rental events at PLA generate a significant source of organizational revenue, totaling more than 100 events each season. The Assistant Director will contribute to this growth by prospecting new business, cultivating community and University partnerships, and serving as a forward-facing representative of PLA. Evening and weekend work is required, as is an active presence at major events.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Development & Sales
  • Generate new rental business through proactive networking, sales prospecting, and relationship cultivation.
  • Promote PLA venues to internal University partners and external clients across the Philadelphia region.
  • Represent PLA at industry events, University associations, and local business organizations to expand awareness and drive revenue.
• Client Services & Event Management
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, ensuring clear and timely communication.
  • Oversee rental agreements, billing, insurance, ticketing, and production requirements in compliance with PLA policies.
  • Coordinate event logistics with caterers, furniture vendors, production services, and other partners to meet client needs.
  • Lead the planning and execution of select rental and University events, ensuring a seamless experience.
• Operational Support & Supervision
  • Supervise Event Services Coordinators, providing mentorship, training, and performance oversight.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Events and Guest Services to review and adjust rental cost structures for market competitiveness.
  • Support the evaluation of departmental performance goals, ensuring revenue and service benchmarks are met.
• Marketing & Community Engagement
  • Partner with internal and external marketing teams to develop promotional materials and maintain a dynamic digital presence for venue rentals.
  • Contribute to marketing strategies that expand PLA Rentals' reach within University, cultural, and business communities.
• Other Duties
  • Actively participate in departmental and operational meetings.
  • Maintain a visible, professional presence at major PLA events.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree and 2 to 3 years of progressively responsible experience in sales, event management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success in business development, client services, and/or revenue generation in a hospitality, arts, or cultural environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to foster positive client, vendor, and stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Preferred

• 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in sales, event management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in venue rentals, performing arts, or cultural institutions.
• Familiarity with event management and ticketing systems (Artifax, Momentus, Tessitura).
• Supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to mentor and manage staff.
• General technical and audiovisual knowledge for live events.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Pay Range

$57,500.00 - $65,000.00 Annual Rate