Special Events Manager

Job Summary

The Part-Time Special Events Manager is responsible for supporting the sales, planning, coordination, and successful execution of private events and facility rentals at Sullenberger Aviation Museum. This position serves as a primary point of contact for prospective and confirmed clients, helping guide each event from the initial inquiry through post-event follow-up. The ideal candidate is organized, customer-focused, and comfortable balancing hospitality, sales, and facility operational responsibilities. This role will be paid an hourly wage and includes a commission-based incentive for qualifying event bookings.

Core Responsibilities

Event Sales and Client Relations

Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries regarding facility rentals and special events.Conduct museum tours and site visits for prospective clients.Explain available event spaces, rental packages, policies, and approved vendor requirements.Prepare proposals, rental agreements, and event-related correspondence.Maintain regular communication with clients throughout the planning process.Follow up with prospective clients to encourage bookings and strengthen relationships.Represent the museum professionally when communicating with corporations, nonprofit organizations, community groups, vendors, and private clients.Event Planning and Coordination

Coordinate event details, including schedules, room layouts, guest counts, vendor access, setup requirements, and breakdown timelines.Ensure that clients and vendors understand and follow museum policies and procedures.Coordinate with museum staff, security, facilities personnel, and approved vendors as needed.Maintain accurate event files, contracts, payment records, and planning documents.Confirm final event details before each scheduled rental.Assist with scheduling and maintaining the museum’s special-events calendar.On-Site Event Management

Serve as the museum’s on-site representative for assigned events.Monitor setup, vendor activity, guest arrival, event operations, and breakdown.Ensure that aircrafts, exhibits, interactives (Sims), display cases, graphics, multimedia equipment, furnishings, and other museum property are fully protected.Verify that vendors follow museum requirements, including approved access points, loading procedures, restricted areas, and cleanup expectations.Address client questions and resolve minor issues professionally during events.Report incidents, property damage, safety concerns, or policy violations to museum leadership promptly.Complete a post-event walkthrough and ensure the facility is returned to an acceptable conditionand operationally ready for the next business day.Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in hospitality, event management, business, communications, or a related field preferred.Previous experience in event planning, hospitality, venue rentals, customer service, sales, or a related field preferred.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Excellent organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with multiple museum departments.Professional and courteous approach when working with clients, guests, vendors, and museum staff.Comfortable discussing pricing, preparing proposals, and following up with prospective clients.Proficiency with email, calendars, spreadsheets, and standard office software.Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.Physical and Scheduling Requirements

Ability to work a flexible schedule based on event needs, including occasional evenings and weekends.Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during events.Ability to move throughout indoor and outdoor museum spaces.Ability to lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.Ability to respond calmly and professionally in a fast-paced event environment.Preferred Attributes

Experience working in a museum, cultural attraction, hospitality venue, conference center, or event-rental facility.Existing relationships with local event planners, businesses, caterers, or community organizations.Sales-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to customer service.Ability to manage multiple events and deadlines simultaneously.Interest in aviation, museums, or nonprofit organizations.Administrative and Business Development Support

Maintain organized records of inquiries, bookings, contracts, and commission-eligible events.Provide periodic updates on upcoming events, completed rentals, and prospective bookings.Assist with outreach efforts to promote museum rentals and build relationships with event planners, businesses, and community partners.Help identify opportunities to increase rental activity and enhance client experience.Support the development of event packages, promotional materials, and preferred-vendor resources.Compensation & Benefits

This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position.Hourly Pay Rate: $ 24.00 – 28.00 per hour. This position will average 25-30 hours per week.Sale Incentive Plan: Eligible employee will earn a 5% commission for qualifying event rentals that exceed the target sales goal for each quarter.The hourly wage compensates the employee for all time worked, client meetings, planning, administrative duties, site visits, setup, event coverage, and post-event responsibilities.Perks: Complimentary museum membership, employee discounts, cell phone reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.To Apply

Submit letter of interest, resume and salary requirements to [email protected] full consideration, please submit by July 15, 2026.Pay: $24.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedulePaid time offWork Location: In person