Sales Manager (Weddings & Private Events)

Job Description – Sales Manager (Weddings & Private Events) Company: To be revealed during the interview process Position: Sales Manager – Weddings & Private Events Location: San Francisco, CA Reports to: General Manager / Ownership Schedule: Full-Time, with flexibility for weekend/evening event tours as needed. Role Overview: Boutique Event Venue is seeking an experienced and dynamic Sales Manager to lead our wedding and private event sales efforts. In this role, you will be the chief strategist and driver for booking private events and luxury weddings. You’ll manage the full sales cycle – from prospecting and initial inquiry, through venue tours and client relationship building, to contracting and hand-off for event execution. You will also support event marketing efforts, including creating engaging social media posts and promotional campaigns to attract new business. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with at least 5 years of wedding/event sales experience, a proven track record of meeting ambitious sales targets, and a passion for crafting unique event experiences. This role offers the opportunity to work in one of San Francisco’s most creative venues and contribute to milestone celebrations for our clients. Key Responsibilities: • Meet or Exceed Sales Quotas: Drive wedding and private event bookings to achieve an annual revenue goal of $800,000+ (approximately 30+ events per year). Develop and execute sales strategies to consistently hit monthly and quarterly targets for event bookings and revenue. • Lead Generation & Client Acquisition: Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities. Manage inbound leads and also prospect in target markets (wedding planners, corporate clients, etc.), building a strong pipeline of event clients. • Client Consultations & Venue Tours: Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective clients. Respond promptly to inquiries, schedule and conduct engaging venue walkthroughs (including on weekends as needed), and effectively highlight the venue’s features and services to showcase how it can accommodate each client’s vision. • Proposal Development & Closing Deals: Customize event proposals and packages to fit client needs, leveraging The venue’s versatility and partner services. Negotiate contracts and pricing within established guidelines, and close bookings to maximize revenue while ensuring client satisfaction. • Account Management: Build strong relationships from first contact through event execution. Act as a trusted advisor to clients in the planning process – liaise between clients and our operations/event management team to ensure a smooth transition after the sale. Maintain communication to encourage repeat business and referrals. • Market Strategy & Reporting: Keep a pulse on the luxury wedding and events market in San Francisco. Monitor competitor venues, and identify trends in client preferences. Provide regular sales forecasts and reports to the Director of Revenue, and offer insights to inform marketing and pricing strategies. • Event Marketing & Promotion: Create and manage social media posts, contribute to event marketing campaigns, and support outreach efforts to drive new private event business. • Collaboration & Team Leadership: Work closely with the Director of Revenue to align sales efforts with overall business goals. Partner with our marketing team on promotional initiatives (bridal fairs, venue showcases, online campaigns). Mentor any junior sales or coordinators as assigned, fostering a team-oriented environment. • Event Presence: On occasion, attend key events (especially high-profile weddings or VIP client events) to ensure client satisfaction, assist in on-site upselling (e.g. additional services), and gather feedback for continuous improvement. • Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate records of leads, contacts, and bookings in Hubspot, our CRM system. Ensure all contracts, invoices, and follow-up communications are handled in a timely, professional manner. Uphold Company standards in every client interaction, representing the venue’s brand and prestige. Qualifications & Requirements: • Experience: Minimum 5+ years of experience in wedding or event sales, catering sales, or a closely related hospitality sales role. Experience in the San Francisco/Bay Area luxury event market and existing network connections in the wedding industry are highly desirable. • Proven Track Record: Demonstrated history of meeting or exceeding sales targets in a high-end or boutique event venue, hotel catering department, or similar environment. Comfortable handling large event revenue goals and managing a pipeline of discerning clients. • Client Service & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Able to build rapport and trust quickly with clients, listen to their needs, and articulate how we can exceed their expectations. Professional, polished demeanor with excellent presentation skills for hosting venue tours and sales meetings. • Sales Skills: Strong negotiation and closing skills with the ability to tailor sales approaches to different client types (from couples planning weddings to corporate event planners). Self-motivated and proactive, with strategic thinking to identify new opportunities and creative packages that sell. • Organization & Detail Orientation: Highly organized in managing multiple inquiries, proposals, and event details simultaneously. Proficient with CRM software and sales tracking. Detail-oriented to ensure contracts, BEOs (Banquet Event Orders), and client communications are accurate and comprehensive. • Flexibility: Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends for client tours, bridal shows, or industry events. Events don’t always happen 9-5, so our Sales Manager must accommodate client schedules, including weekend walkthroughs of the venue. • Knowledge & Passion: Deep knowledge of wedding trends, event design, and the broader hospitality/event landscape. A genuine passion for weddings and events – you thrive on helping clients realize their dream occasions. Creativity and an appreciation for art/design (aligned with the venue’s creative ambiance) are a plus. • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Marketing or related field is preferred (or equivalent work experience in luxury events sales). Compensation & Benefits: • Salary: Competitive base salary in the range of $65,000 – $70,000 per year (DOE - Depending on Experience). In addition, this role features a lucrative commission structure tied to sales performance. On-target earnings (base + commission) are expected to be in the $100,000+ per year range, with uncapped upside for exceeding annual targets. • Commission/Incentives: Commission on booked events (percentage of event revenue) and potential performance bonuses for hitting or surpassing the annual sales quota of $800K. Details of the commission plan will be discussed in the interview process, but it is designed to generously reward high performance. • Benefits: The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and paid time off (vacation, sick days, and holidays). We also offer additional perks such as professional development opportunities, and the chance to attend some of the exciting events you book. • Work Environment: Enjoy working in a beautiful, creative venue with a passionate team. This role provides a mix of office time, client meetings on-site, and networking at industry events – no two days are the same, and you get to sell a one-of-a-kind product: unforgettable experiences at the venue. Application Process & Timeline: Timeline: Applications will be accepted through October. Our team will conduct initial interviews in October and November. We anticipate final-round interviews by early November, with a target hire date in November 17th. The Company is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re an ambitious sales professional with a love for events and a drive to succeed, we’d love to hear from you – come be a part of our story and help us create extraordinary celebrations!