Event Sales Manager

EVENT SALES MANAGER

KENNEDY-KING COLLEGE

Kennedy King College, located at 6301 S Halsted in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, embodies the commitment to academic excellence and civic responsibility exemplified by its namesakes, civil and human rights activists Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kennedy-King College seeks an Events Sales Manager to coordinate the marketing and rental of Kennedy-king campus facilities including its auditorium, a multi-purpose room, a Gymnasium, as well as other building spaces and resources. The Events Sales Manager is responsible for achieving specific annual sales and revenue goals. This role reports to the Office of the President and performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Works collaboratively with Marketing in implementing strategies to advertise and promote the rental of Conference Center facilities to external organizations including profit and not-for-profit, educational, civic, youth and social organizations.
• Directs and oversees the services of campus janitorial, engineering, IT support, and office support staff, and outside vendors to schedule and facilitate events, in close collaboration with the Director of Auxiliary Services and other campus administrators.
• Responds to inquiries and follows-up on sales leads, ensuring exceptional customer service during each step of interaction with clients and prospective clients with the goal of providing one-stop shop service in meeting their needs for event space.
• Meets with external clients to discuss event requirements, providing information and walk-throughs of conference hall spaces, meeting/presentation ready spaces, auditorium, and other resources inclusive of catering services and space availability.
• Provides information on the requirements and procedures for the rental and use of campus facilities, availability of space, rental and staffing fees, audio-visual and IT services, Washburne catering services, and other available resources.
• Assists external clients in using the facility rental web-based support application to register and schedule events and the facility rental or insurance on-line payment application site.
• Reviews facilities request applications for compliance with CCC’s facilities use policies, including submission and payment deadlines, type of event, and availability of requested date(s).
• Schedules and confirms reservation requests with clients. Monitors and ensures clients complete rental process by submitting certificate of insurance and payment prior to event.
• Works with clients to plan and carry out events, coordinating the set-up and provision of additional resources (i.e. security, audio-visual, food), and the operational logistics (i.e. parking, deliveries) for the day of the event.
• Provides event logistical support, including on-site event day assistance and support as needed. Resolves problems and ensures event(s) run smoothly.
• Maintains and update records of all sales contacts with prospective clients and agreements with clients using various software including Excel.
• Prepares sales and revenue generated reports for management review.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Conference and event sales, planning, and operations experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in event planning and public relations, including event organization and production.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

• Knowledge and familiarity with technology/social medial and how to leverage these media to effectively reach clients.
• Knowledge of event and room set-ups and audio-visual set-ups.
• Knowledge of event planning standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact and communicate effectively and professionally.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish priorities, and work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in handling sensitive situations.

Working Conditions

• General office environment.
• Travel to client locations is required.

The salary range is $56,057 - $70,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.