Special Event Sales Manager

Fairlie is seeking an independent, high initiative individual to join our small team as our first Special Event Sales Manager. We are an event venue in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago IL, primarily hosting wedding events and looking to expand into corporate and other special events. As our first and only sales manager, this is a unique opportunity to build a sales strategy from the ground-up, working closely with the venue owners to grow our business.

Fairlie is a 15,000 sq. ft. event space featuring a flexible, open floor plan with capacity for 500, a second floor mezzanine with smaller conference rooms, a large prep kitchen, and unique architecture. We are typically booked out 18 months for weekend wedding events, but only a handful of mid-week events each year. This is where you will be focused.

What you will be responsible for:

  • Manage and fill our corporate/special events calendar to compliment our busy weekend wedding business

  • Work with our team to develop sales strategies, establish budgets and goals, and report on progress regularly

  • Consistently drive toward sales goals through various sales techniques and channels

  • Build strategic relationships with key clients, partners, vendors and other organizations 

  • Maintain clear, responsive communication and positive experience with clients throughout the sales process

  • Manage necessary contracts, holds, payments and other booking details throughout the process

  • Coordinate and conduct venue tours with prospective clients

  • Coordinate with our team as needed on a successful event execution, including periodic on-site management and check-in of events

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • You have 5+ years in a similar event sales position

  • You have a degree in hospitality management, business administration, or related field

  • You have worked with at least one other independent event venue of similar size

  • You have successfully managed and filled a corporate/special events calendar, especially in a similar expansion phase

  • You have worked independently and have an entrepreneurial spirit – you are the expert, we are here to support you

  • You are enthusiastic about event venue sales and ensuring customers have a positive experience throughout the process

  • You have generated and championed new ideas to drive new corporate/special event sales

  • You have excellent communication skills with clients and coworkers alike, and comfortable with a variety of channels (phone, email, online/social, in-person)

  • You embrace a flexible work schedule – this is a full-time, salaried position, but the hours will include some evenings, weekends and holidays to support venue tours and outside sales

  • You thrive wearing multiple hats – sales will be your focus, but we’re a small team with opportunity to contribute in multiple ways

  • Proof of COVID vaccination, keep it up to date

This is a full-time, salaried position with commission. Compensation and benefits will be part of the discussion with qualified candidates based on experience. To apply, please reach out to us at jobs@fairliechicago.com with a resume and some information about you and your interest in this position. Thank you!

Fairlie
339 N Bell Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
www.fairliechicago.com
jobs@fairliechicago.com