Events Manager

POSITION TITLE: Market Building Events Manager

REPORTS TO: Market Building Foundation Executive Director

The Market Building (MB) Events Manager is the face of Charter Hall and the driving force behind growing its bookings. This person sells and markets events in Charter Hall and throughout the City Market Building, and is responsible for building a steady, growing calendar of corporate events, weddings, receptions, nonprofit galas, community events, and private parties in the years ahead.

We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for hospitality: a spirited, energetic, confident, and enterprising advocate for the City Market Building and Downtown Roanoke who enjoys meeting people, follows up relentlessly, and takes pride in making every client’s event a success. The Events Manager is a self-starter who sees a problem and solves it, and who treats every inquiry as a relationship worth building.

The Events Manager will proactively build partnerships with Downtown Roanoke, Inc., the City of Roanoke, the Roanoke Regional Partnership, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, area hotels, wedding and event planners, caterers, and others to establish Charter Hall as the premier event space in Downtown Roanoke. Because events happen when clients need them, this role requires regular evening and weekend work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

Own the Charter Hall sales process from first inquiry through signed contract: respond promptly, lead tours, prepare proposals, negotiate, and close
Actively prospect new business by reaching out to corporations, nonprofits, universities, associations, wedding planners, and tour and convention groups
Build a pipeline of repeat and multi-year clients, and track leads, bookings, and follow-ups in an organized system
Set and pursue annual booking and revenue goals with the Executive Director
Promote rental and use of Charter Hall and MB common areas, including weekday and off-season dates
Spearhead the development and implementation of an annual Charter Hall marketing plan
Manage Charter Hall’s presence on social media, the website, and online venue listings (e.g., The Knot, WeddingWire, etc), including photography, content, and client reviews
Represent Charter Hall at networking events, bridal shows, Chamber functions, and community gatherings
Develop and maintain referral relationships with planners, caterers, hotels, florists, photographers, and other hospitality partners
Create and host showcase events, open houses, and partnerships that bring new audiences into the building

Client Service & Event Operations

Serve as the primary point of contact for clients before, during, and after their events, delivering a high standard of hospitality
Coordinate the venue side of each event, including scheduling janitorial staff and setup of in-house tables and chairs; clients are responsible for planning and producing their own events
Facilitate use of tenant food services or outside caterers for Charter Hall events, and promote MB restaurants to event clients
Anticipate and resolve problems quickly and professionally, and gather client feedback after each event
Coordinate with and assist the Executive Director with the management of contractors repairing or maintaining the space(s)

Administration

Assist in the preparation of an annual budget and track event revenue against goals
Code, for payment, all event related bills
Maintain contracts, event files, and documents in an organized and responsible way
Provide regular booking, pipeline, and marketing reports to the Executive Director and Foundation Board
Other tasks as assigned

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

Has grown Charter Hall bookings and event revenue year over year
Has built a strong pipeline of new, repeat, and referral clients
Has increased Charter Hall’s visibility through marketing, social media, online listings, and community partnerships
Receives consistently positive client feedback and reviews
Has increased revenue through activation of Charter Hall and other useable spaces at the MB
Has built and maintained a strong relationship with the Foundation Board and Executive Director
Provides clear, accurate, well documented and on-time communications
Has met budget projections or has promptly identified issues related to the budget
Has positioned the Market Building as an anchor and activity generator in Downtown Roanoke

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Associate degree or greater preferred, ideally in hospitality, marketing, business, or communications. Equivalent experience in event sales or hospitality will be considered.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Two or more years of experience in event sales, hospitality, venue management, marketing, or another client-facing sales role. Experience booking events or working in a venue strongly preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE: Social media and digital marketing; sales and customer relationship management; hospitality and venue operations; and standard office software.

SKILLS/ABILITIES: A strong desire to work in the hospitality business. Proven ability to sell and close. Outgoing, personable, and comfortable networking and representing the Foundation in public. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Highly organized, with strong attention to detail and accuracy. Creative problem solver who takes initiative and works well independently. Basic fiscal management skills. Cooperative and willing to assist others. Able to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays as events require.

COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $44,000 to $47,000 per year, based on experience, plus performance-based bonuses tied to Charter Hall bookings. Benefits include health and dental insurance reimbursement and paid holidays.

The Market Building Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.