Senior Manager of Sales and Programing for the Denver Performing Arts Complex - Denver Arts and Venues

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

2d

About The Position

So that all may thrive, Denver Arts and Venues enriches and advances Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through premier public venues, arts, cultural and entertainment opportunities. DAV is also responsible for operating some of the region’s most renowned facilities including Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum and McNichols Civic Center Building. Arts & Venues also oversees numerous cultural investments and grant programs such as Denver’s Public Art Program. Denver Arts and Venues is deeply committed to an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practice that closes access gaps in arts and culture with urgency and accountability. We believe long term impact requires changing traditional processes, creating new systems, and developing authentic relationships to transformative work. Our works stands at the intersection of arts, culture and community. The Denver Performing Arts Complex houses ten performance spaces on its 12-acre site, including the historic Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Concert Hall. The Arts Complex is home to four resident companies: Colorado Ballet, Colorado Symphony, Opera Colorado, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts which offers Broadway shows, Tony award winning theatre, cabaret, and experimental productions. The Arts Complex is also home to Dazzle Jazz and features two full-service restaurants and the expansive Sculpture Park, which hosts a variety of outdoor events. The annual budget for the Arts Complex is $20 million. The Senior Manager of Sales and Programming (Director of Sales) at the Denver Performing Arts Complex is a leadership position that oversees our booking operation and sales strategy. The role is responsible for generating earned revenue, activating underutilized spaces, expanding community access, and bringing event that support diversity and creativity. This position supervises the programming manager and contract administrator. The position reports to the Venue Director of the Denver Performing Arts Complex for the City and County of Denver. About Our Job As the Senior Manager of Sales and Programming, you will:

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Performing Arts Administration, Hospitality, or related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years in venue sales, concert booking, or event management, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or client-facing leadership role.
• Strong understanding of the entertainment industry, live events, show production, current trends and booking processes preferred.
• Strong negotiation, communication and client relations skills.
• Experience balancing public mission and earned revenue strategies within a civic or cultural setting.
• Familiarity with venue scheduling software, CRM platforms, and event management tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder relationships with clarity, diplomacy, and tact.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as dictated by event schedules.
• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s).
• Experience Requirement: Five (5) years’ experience performing full performance professional level duties within a specialized, functional area. (This does not include clerical experience.)
• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full sales lifecycle and contracting process—including certificates of insurance, deposits, amendments, and settlements—for the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Buell Theatre, Boettcher Concert Hall, Galleria, Sculpture Park and several smaller event spaces at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
• Manage all inbound booking inquiries and lead clients from initial contact to executed agreement, ensuring seamless coordination with operations and production teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with resident companies, promoters, corporate partners, event planners, other city agencies and community organizations.
• Partner with Resident Companies to coordinate calendars and maximize booking opportunities while supporting their artistic missions.
• Develop sales strategies and pricing models informed by data, client insights, and market trends.
• Lead site tours and client consultations, presenting venues and services effectively.
• Ensure timely response to all client inquiries (within 24 hours) and create detailed event estimates and proposals.
• Negotiate and execute user and service agreements, ensuring compliance with city policies and legal standards. Work closely with both our finance team and the city attorney’s office.
• Oversee booking software (FASTbook) and venue calendars to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and operational alignment. Strong understanding of booking software systems and end-to-end project implementation for reviewing and selecting new booking platforms.
• Maintain comprehensive client records and event documentation.
• Act as the sales lead for high-profile, complex events, ensuring flawless execution and client satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate the Contract Administrator and Program Coordinator within a high-performance, value-driven environment. Fostering collaboration, accountability, and inclusion. Support recruitment, onboarding, and professional development for team members.
• Establish and track performance metrics for sales, bookings, and programs to ensure service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Review event settlements to ensure accuracy and profitability.
• Resolve escalated client or citizen complaints, maintaining professionalism and organizational integrity.
• Collaborate with Venue Director, Operations, Production, Marketing, and Finance teams to ensure efficient and sustainable event execution. Partner with marketing on strategies that enhance event visibility and audience engagement.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices through professional training and engagement in trade organizations.
• Maintain working knowledge of theatrical production, including lighting, sound, stagecraft, and rigging. Understand food & beverage operations, catering, concessions, and vendor contracts. Demonstrate familiarity with ticketing systems, box office operations, and marketing fundamentals.
• May be asked to participate in our manager-on-duty program.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Occasionally attend evening and weekend events to maintain client relationships and comprehensive venue understanding.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager