Wedding Sales and Events Manager

The Franklin Institute (TFI), the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, strives to be the world leader in promoting science and technology education and literacy through inspiring and engaging experiences that cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of the crucial role science plays in our lives.

At TFI, we provide an environment that is as nurturing as it is dynamic. Our team-oriented approach allows for ample learning and career growth opportunities. We think you will find the Institute offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. We are eager for your input, ideas, and inspiration.

Position Description:

The Wedding Sales & Events Manager is responsible for the sales, planning, and management of the wedding program at The Franklin Institute. The Wedding Sales & Events Manager plays a critical role ensuring that every wedding is sophisticated, welcoming, flawlessly executed, and reflective of The Franklin Institute's standards of excellence. Serving as the primary point of contact for all wedding inquiries, this position guides couples through the sales process from initial inquiry through contract execution, planning, event execution, and post-event follow-up. This role is responsible for building strong client and vendor relationships, converting wedding leads into booked events, and ensuring an exceptional experience throughout the entire planning process. This position works closely with the Director of Events & Catering, the Senior Event Sales & Strategy Manager, Levy Restaurants, wedding vendors, and museum departments to coordinate all wedding logistics, maintain accurate event documentation, and deliver exceptional wedding experiences.

Essential Functions

Wedding Sales & Client Management

Serve as the primary contact for all incoming wedding inquiries, ensuring communications are timely, accurate, and sales-focused
Responsible for all wedding events hosted at The Franklin Institute
Conduct site tours for prospective wedding clients
Prepare proposals, contracts, pricing information, and client-facing materials for prospective wedding clients
Follow up leads and convert inquiries into booked wedding events and track accordingly
Build and maintain strong relationships with wedding clients to support client satisfaction, referrals, and positive word-of-mouth and online reviews
Partner with the Director of Events & Catering to review wedding lead flow, pricing strategy, availability, and booking goals
Maintain relationships with preferred wedding vendors and assist with wedding-focused marketing initiatives, including venue listings, website content, wedding showcase and digital marketing efforts as needed
Ensure client satisfaction throughout every phase of the wedding planning process

Event Planning & Logistics

Develop and execute operational plans for all weddings at The Franklin Institute
Implement and facilitate all logistical and operational correspondence with wedding clients in a clear and concise manner
Prepare, maintain, and distribute Banquet Event Orders for all weddings to provide museum staff with all necessary event information
Attend Banquet Event Order meetings and perform as a team leader to relay the necessary information regarding all wedding plans
Create and maintain floor plans in Social Tables for assigned weddings
Liaise between wedding vendors, wedding clients, Levy Restaurants, and The Franklin Institute for all weddings
Serve as onsite manager for all weddings; will include weekend and evening events
Assist with wedding follow-up, including surveys, thank-you letters, and post-event communication for wedding clients

Operations & Administration

Maintain accurate wedding files, contracts, BEOs, floor plans, correspondence, and client records
Attend and report wedding Banquet Event Order information at weekly operational meetings
Coordinate wedding dates with the Senior Sales & Internal Event Logistics Manager to ensure efficient space utilization and operational planning
Assist with scheduling event staff and event managers for wedding events
Supervise event staff, managers, and vendors during all weddings and conduct assessments and reviews as needed
Provide hands-on assistance across the Events & Catering department as needed to ensure exceptional wedding execution and client satisfaction

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in wedding sales, wedding planning, hospitality, catering, or similar client-facing role
Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong leadership and motivating skills, including the ability to build strong relationships with customers, vendors, and staff
Demonstrated track record building successful client relationships and supporting wedding sales or client conversion
Excellent organization and time management skills
Prior experience and knowledge of the process for hiring, training, scheduling, and overseeing event staff is preferred
Experience managing all aspects of luxury weddings or high-end wedding events strongly preferred
Proven ability to work with catering sales staff, wedding clients, vendors, and other departments to coordinate all details of a wedding event
Experience with Delphi software or similar event management software is desired
Ability to stand for long periods of time, possibly from two to eight hours, and the ability to lift tables, chairs, and event equipment up to approximately 40 pounds on occasion is required
Flexibility to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the wedding event schedule

Required Competencies:

Exceptional relationship-building and client trust development
Strong ability to manage one’s own time and prioritize tasks
Extremely organized and highly responsive; capable of managing a high volume of active leads, proposals, site tours, follow-ups, reporting, and internal event logistics
Critical thinking and problem-solving ability
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to collaborate effectively with clients, vendors, Levy Restaurants, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Visitor Experience, Education, Development, and other internal departments
Comfort working irregular hours, including evenings and weekends
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Status: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000

Benefits Information: The Franklin Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision, 401K, life insurance and disability coverage. We also offer generous Paid Time Off, paid holidays, and numerous wellness program benefits.

To apply, please visit our Career Center. We look forward to hearing from you!

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Franklin Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability or protected veteran status.