Manager of Venue Rentals

Center City District (CCD) is seeking an entrepreneurial, results-driven, and detail-oriented Manager of Venue Rentals to develop, strategically implement, and grow CCD’s venue rental program in the downtown Philadelphia parks and public spaces it manages. The Manager will directly handle all aspects of event sales and logistics planning and will be responsible for meeting revenue goals and ensuring client satisfaction. The Manager is an integral team player and will also support other Development & Partnerships revenue programs and CCD public events as needed.

CCD’s parks have become increasingly popular as a booking destination for public-facing rental events – especially brand marketing activations – in addition to traditional private events such as social and corporate receptions. CCD’s multiple iconic venues, diverse clients and events, public reach, and civic impact make for an exciting and dynamic venue rentals program. At the same time, it requires a versatile professional with diverse experiences that thrives in connecting with, selling to, and supporting these varied clients, and who will mind the fine details while collaborating closely with internal partners to ensure that rental events are smoothly incorporated into our busy and prominent public spaces.

About Center City District’s park venues:

Dynamic Dilworth Park has become a popular destination and premier venue for clients booking brand marketing activations, ticketed festivals, winter cabin rentals, and even sporting events. It is also the site of numerous CCD-programmed public events, the Rothman Orthopedics Rink and Cabin, and other popular attractions. With more than 13 million annual visitors, and situated alongside iconic City Hall, Dilworth is responsible for the majority of CCD’s rental events and revenue.

Vibrant and verdant Sister Cities Park is cherished by local families, downtown office workers, and tourists alike, and provides a scenic destination for corporate and social receptions.

John F. Collins Park is a peaceful, intimate urban oasis, tucked between downtown skyscrapers and popular retail destinations. Collins Park is a beloved destination for weddings and proposals and is a charming spot for smaller weddings and receptions, as well as brand activations.  

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

In collaboration with the VP of Development & Partnerships, determine and execute strategy for the venue rentals program and meet its annual revenue goal. 

Maximize rental opportunities across a wide variety of clients and events, including corporate events, brand activations, weddings and social events, and client-organized ticketed festivals.

Manage the full lifecycle of rental clients, including prospecting, site visits, proposals and pitches, negotiation, contracts, and fulfillment.

Work directly with clients and CCD Parks staff to coordinate specifications and logistics of rental events. Attend rental events as needed to ensure successful execution and client satisfaction. 

Support event logistics for other Development & Partnerships events, including sponsor activations, programming events, and assist colleagues as needed.

Actively develop a network of event planners, booking agents, and referral sources and promote CCD as an ideal event venue.

Produce and update sales collateral and CCD's rental webpage to promote rental opportunities.

Manage relationships and logistics for no-fee rental events (e.g., civic partners); issue permits for paid and no-fee external events.

Create, send, and track invoices and ensure timely payment.

Serve as liaison between lessees and City agencies such as the Department of Streets and the Department of Public Health. 

In collaboration with the VP of Development & Partnerships, present proposed rental events to CCD leadership for review and approval. 

Consistently enter client and prospect data and track pipeline in Salesforce, and report regularly on current and projected revenue.

Other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications

A minimum of five years of experience in sales, client service, marketing, and/or event coordination, including experience selling or booking rental or marketing events.  

Experience working with parks or other outdoor venues is preferred. 

Ability to lead and manage sales efforts and processes. 

Ability to collaborate with peers, clients, and partners.

Ability to handle multiple external clients and prospects simultaneously and work in complex, dynamic, outdoor venue environments.

Ability to think and plan professionally, strategically, creatively, and independently.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work outside.

Ability to work flexible hours, include evening and weekend events, to meet business needs and needs of the client.

Experience using customer relationship management database software to track client and prospect data.