Rental Sales Manager

Zeiterion Theatre•New Bedford, MA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Rental Sales Manager is a temporary, part-time trial position created to add focused capacity to The Zeiterion’s venue rental sales work. The role is the primary point of contact for incoming rental inquiries, guides prospects through an initial feasibility review, and manages timely communication throughout the sales process. The position reports to the Director of Engagement during the pilot and collaborates with Production, Theater & Event Operations, Building Operations, Marketing & Communications, Box Office, Finance, and Engagement. The pilot will assess rental demand, revenue impact, workflow effectiveness, and the value of additional staffing. If the role becomes permanent, its long-term department and reporting structure will be determined based on that assessment. The role responds to inquiries, gathers and documents event requirements, coordinates preliminary availability, feasibility, and pricing reviews, and prepares and follows up on approved quotes and proposals. It maintains the sales pipeline, advances qualified opportunities, and ensures confirmed rentals are handed off to staff responsible for contracting, planning, production, operations, and financial processing. The manager also tracks pilot metrics and escalates exceptions, policy questions, contractual issues, and complex or high-risk requests to the Director of Engagement or designated leader. This position is hybrid in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and works an agreed schedule of approximately 15–25 hours per week, with some flexibility based on inquiry and event needs. The work is primarily indoor office work in a collaborative environment. Employees are expected to work across departments and teams. The position may involve sitting for extended periods, occasional standing, walking and moving throughout the building, and occasionally lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds. Noise levels range from low to high, and occasional movement between floors is needed. The Zeiterion is a nonprofit performing arts organization guided by the values of Imagination, Connection, Equity, Transparency, and Discovery. It describes its workplace as collaborative and inclusive and is committed to advancing anti-racist policies and practices and fostering a culture that values community, social justice, and equity. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check, including a Massachusetts CORI check. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship and corporate transfers are not available.

Requirements

3–4 years of experience in sales, customer service, account coordination, hospitality, events, or venue rentals.
Strong written and verbal communication, responsiveness, organization, and follow-through.
Ability to manage multiple inquiries, maintain accurate records, and work within approved policies and pricing.
Sound judgment about when to resolve routine questions independently and when to escalate.
Collaborative working style and ability to coordinate effectively across Production, Theater & Event Operations, Building Operations, Marketing & Communications, Box Office, Finance, and Engagement.
Availability to work an agreed part-time schedule of approximately 15–25 hours per week, with some flexibility based on inquiry and event needs.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; the employer does not provide visa sponsorship or support corporate transfers.
Successful completion of a background check, including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience booking or selling space at a theater, performing arts center, event venue, hotel, or conference/banquet facility.
Working knowledge of event operations, including load-in and load-out, staffing, technical needs, and front-of-house, sufficient to ask relevant questions during feasibility review.
Experience with a CRM, booking, or event management system such as Salesforce, Tripleseat, or similar, and comfort tracking data in spreadsheets.
Familiarity with quotes, rental agreements, deposits, and invoicing workflows.
Established relationships or familiarity with SouthCoast businesses, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations that could be prospective renters.
Experience in a new or pilot role, or comfort helping build and refine processes as they are tested.
Multilingual ability in Spanish, Portuguese, Kriolu (Cape Verdean Creole), Haitian Creole, or K’iche, in addition to English.
Curiosity, creativity, and openness; clear, honest, and caring communication; a collaborative, relationship-centered approach; commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism; and enthusiasm for learning and growth.

Responsibilities

Respond to incoming rental inquiries, gather event requirements, and document complete prospect information.
Coordinate preliminary availability, operational feasibility, and pricing review with appropriate staff.
Prepare and follow up on approved quotes, proposals, and rental information.
Maintain the rental sales pipeline and consistently follow up to advance qualified opportunities.
Ensure confirmed rentals are handed off completely and promptly to staff responsible for contracting, event planning, production, operations, and financial processing.
Participate in regular team huddles and escalate exceptions, policy questions, and complex client needs to the Director of Engagement.
Collect and report pilot metrics, including inquiries, response time, feasibility outcomes, conversion, booked revenue, and reasons opportunities do not advance.
Serve as the primary receiver and owner of incoming rental inquiries and move inquiries promptly to an initial feasibility decision with internal teams.
Maintain clear, consistent, and timely communication with prospective and confirmed renters.
Develop new rental business and strengthen relationships with prospective clients.
Support accurate quotes, agreements, invoicing information, and internal handoffs.
Track inquiry volume, conversion, revenue, and workflow data to help evaluate the pilot.
Respond to prospects and advance routine rental opportunities using approved messaging, pricing, policies, and processes.
Coordinate internal feasibility reviews and communicate approved outcomes to prospects.
Recommend sales follow-up, prospecting, and process improvements based on pilot experience.
Escalate pricing or policy exceptions, contractual issues, and high-risk or complex requests to the Director of Engagement or designated leader.
Perform other duties as assigned.