Senior Event Sales Manager

Description

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has an opening for a full-time, exempt Senior Event Sales Manager in the Events and Culinary Department.

Company Overview: Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission, and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that documents and interprets the history of country music. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

First opened in 1967 on Nashville’s Music Row, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched its current downtown location in 2001. In 2014, the Museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its footprint. The Museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded. In addition, the Museum offers the Taylor Swift Education Center for students, teachers, and families, and dedicated performance spaces in the CMA Theater and Ford Theater, both of which regularly host nationally recognized live music and cultural events.

In 2024, the Museum was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden. The medal is the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government. The White House Citation, which accompanied the medal, recognized the Museum’s work, which “preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.”

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (14) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness 
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (for yourself, family and friends) 
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more)
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Departmental Overview: The Events and Culinary Department executes more than 1,500 annual events, including private gatherings, concerts, and internal programs. Revenue from these events directly supports the Museum’s mission, making each booking a vital part of sustaining our work.

Position Overview: The Senior Event Sales Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of high-value clients while providing leadership and guidance to Event Sales Managers. This role is accountable for driving revenue growth through strategic sales efforts, forecasting, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations. The Senior Event Sales Manager also plays a key role in mentoring team members and ensuring departmental goals are met. The position works closely with the Event Services, Culinary, Banquets, Entertainment, and Production teams to maintain a high level of service and client satisfaction while supporting the overall success of the events program.

Specific Job Duties Include:

• Lead, coach, and support Event Sales Managers to ensure achievement of departmental sales goals.
• Oversee and assign incoming leads, ensure appropriate space allocation, and develop pricing strategies.
• Create and execute strategic sales plans aligned with Museum revenue and profitability targets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with high-value clients, vendors, and community partners.
• Provide training, mentorship, and feedback to foster a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure smooth event planning and flawless execution.
• Analyze sales data, forecast revenue, and adjust pricing and strategies to maximize profit.
• Monitor industry trends and the competitive landscape to guide team strategy.
• Represent the Museum in select external networking and industry activities.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• 3–4 years of progressive sales experience in a hotel, convention center, or event venue setting.
• Demonstrated success in contract negotiation and revenue generation.
• Experience managing multiple clients in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills to support team development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with a focus on client service.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism, Business Management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to establish sales objectives through data analysis and forecasting.
• Experience adjusting pricing strategies using forecasting reports, competitive analysis, and market/economic trends.
• Active involvement in professional associations within the meetings, hospitality, or event industries.

 Key Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities): 

• Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to coach, mentor, and motivate a sales team.
• Results-driven with advanced ability to analyze sales data, forecast, and adapt strategies.
• High professional integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Self-motivated with enthusiasm and strong interpersonal skills.
• Skilled in cultivating and developing long-term client and community relationships.
• Proficiency with event management, catering, or CRM software (EMS or similar) preferred.

 Conditions of Employment:

• Must be available to support event department needs outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Subject to a background check.
• Ability to be flexible with scheduled work hours.
• Ability to remain on feet for extended periods of time.
• Ability to navigate through the building with clients.

Notes to Applicant:

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. 

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-Verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application.

Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/careers