Senior Manager, Event Sales

National Geographic Society•Washington, DC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Campus and Experiences division creates and supports inspirational experiences for live audiences and delivers excellent service and operations at National Geographic Society facilities. The division is responsible for our Base Camp headquarters, including all aspects of the Museum of Exploration. This division also produces and generates revenue through National Geographic Live, Speakers Bureau and National Geographic’s Traveling Exhibitions programs. The Senior Manager, Event Sales plays a critical role in the sales strategy and its implementation as well as communications, project management, market research, and production of all Museum of Exploration event rentals and associated catering coordination. The Event Sales Manager will also manage all internal team coordination as it relates to event rentals. Coordination with the museum marketing team to develop a national marketing campaign to drive financial and attendance goals as well as all KPIs and reporting of marketing performance. The Events Sales Manager will be responsible for all sales, marketing and attendance projections and reports. This position requires meticulous attention to detail, collaboration with colleagues at all levels of the organization and external vendors and partners, and a proactive approach to work with a positive mindset.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Arts Management preferred.
7+ years of proven sales experience with a track record of driving revenue in luxury event sales, visitor attractions, hospitality, cultural institutions, or premium venue rentals.
Demonstrated experience using market data and marketing performance metrics to adjust sales tactics.
Expertise in B2B sales, high-value contract negotiation, and proactive lead generation.
Ability to analyze marketing analytics, sales conversion funnels, and revenue metrics to extract actionable insights.
Advanced proficiency with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Hubspot, etc.) for pipeline management and forecasting.
Effective written and oral communications skills
Experience in cross departmental project management
Proficiency in both the Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace tools.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a proactive and adaptable approach.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in premium venue sales or revenue generation within a landmark museum or cultural attraction setting.
Experience navigating fast-paced environments during major venue launches or campus expansions.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and lead a comprehensive B2B sales strategy targeting corporate clients, associations, individuals, and community partners to exceed annual rental revenue targets.
Proactively identify, prospect, and pitch high-value client opportunities, driving full lifecycle sales from initial outreach to contract closing.
Leverage enterprise CRM systems to rigorously manage the sales pipeline, track lead conversion, analyze deal velocity, and ensure accurate revenue forecasting.
Collaborate with the Senior Director Hospitality & Retail and the VP of Strategy & Performance to establish tiered pricing models, high-margin package offerings, and contract terms that maximize yield while protecting brand integrity.
Evaluate the performance and return on investment (ROI) of national and regional marketing campaigns designed to generate event leads, delivering strategic recommendations to optimize ad spend and messaging.
Analyze industry trends, competitor pricing, and venue usage data to identify emerging market opportunities and maintain the Museum’s competitive edge in the luxury event space.
Monitor and report on marketing-to-sales conversion metrics, customer acquisition costs (CAC), and customer lifetime value (LTV) to refine target audience profiling.
Serve as the strategic sales contact for enterprise-level clients, key decision-makers, and event planners, establishing long-term, repeatable revenue partnerships.
Conduct high-level consultations and site tours for prospective high-yield clients, translating the Museum's unique assets into compelling event concepts.
Collaborate with internal operations and service teams to ensure contract specifications are relayed for seamless event execution.
Partner with marketing and communications teams to develop sales collateral and promotional campaigns targeting event clients.
Collaborate with internal teams (Programming, Advancement, NG Live) to identify co-branded opportunities, corporate sponsorships, and strategic alignment across venue spaces.
Prepare and present regular sales performance dashboards, market trend analyses, and revenue projections to divisional leadership.
Define high-level sales workflows, contracting protocols, and yield-management strategies to streamline the client onboarding experience.

Benefits

medical, dental, and vision insurance
engaging and comprehensive wellness program
401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment
flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave
12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.)
paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits
learning and development opportunities
Lifestyle Spending Account
pet adoption assistance and insurance
pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy
employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit
a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks