Colorado Nonprofit Association

Private Events Manager

About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. 

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Full Time Private Events Manager at our Chatfield Farms Location! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Salary

$59,618 – $74,522 – Base + up to $30k Commission 

Position Summary

The Private Events Manager is the leader of a team of associates responsible for selling and servicing events ranging from corporate to social events as well as internal organization meetings and events. The Manager will be the main lead onsite during event season and is also responsible for delegating leadership to the team for events. The Manager ensures client contracts are fulfilled satisfactorily for a great customer experience. This includes but is not limited to account management, conducting site visits, contract negotiation and achieving revenue goals, servicing events, and more. Responsibilities also include being on-call during assigned events or certain dates. 

This role is integral in developing and managing sales associates and leading logistical coordination of private events at the Denver Botanic Gardens – Chatfield Farms. This role must showcase both managerial levels accountability while also being able to flex into administrative responsibilities when necessary, maintaining high levels of customer service and guest experience with a “sleeves rolled up” approach.

Requirements

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages and develops the teams of Venue Sales Associates, including Interviewing, hiring, training, development, corrective action, approving timesheets, approving check requests, vacation requests and scheduling, budget management, reward and recognition, mentoring/coaching, compensation/commission reporting, etc.
• Prepares the monthly sales and commission reports for the department. Is involved in the budget process.
• Is a leader of the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms brand, developing and fostering relationships with our guests, vendors and industry professionals. 
• May oversee or serve as an on-site venue representative and when present, is on-site for the entirety of all assigned events. 
• Creates and delegates event leads, sales and commission reports regularly. 
• Oversees and executes on-site sales tours and sales calls. 
• Ensures account management, contract negotiation and achievement of department’s revenue goals. Responsible for consistently achieving or exceeding department sales goals.
• Ensures the safe and efficient oversight of assigned clients’ events.
• Collaborates with Operations department to ensure security for events. Responsible for rectifying safety hazards.
• Position requires some support with set up and clean-up of events and may include heavy lifting at times.
• Ensures vendors, guests and staff abide by all Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms rules from set up through post-event inspection.
• Oversees communication with clients as needed to ensure a successful event from start to finish.     
• Maintains a positive, proactive solution-oriented demeanor when responding to or serving guests, members and visitors. 
• Maintains a satisfactory, productive working relationship with staff, guests, and all others. 
• Ensures all policies and procedures at Chatfield Farms are adhered to. 
• Works to ensure the highest quality of visitor experience.  
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to lead dynamic teams of people, including the skill to engage in healthy conflict and have crucial conversations when needed to motivate and encourage their development.
• Must have the ability to multi-task between complex projects effectively.
• Must have impeccable attention to detail to scrutinize documents and plans for accuracy.
• Ability to flex while remaining calm in situations that may require significant last-minute changes.
• Ability to negotiate contracts.
• Knowledge of account management.
• Knowledge in achieving revenue goals including on-site and off-site sales calls.  
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to manage, plan for and organize multiple large events/priorities at the same time.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Must maintain a flexible schedule and be available early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays, depending on the events schedule.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.  
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelors degree and/or combination of education and equivalent experience is required. 
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in hospitality and/or recreation industry. 
• A minimum of 6 years of sales experience is required, and 4 years of corporate or wedding sales preferred.
• Specific experience using a sales/scheduling software system such as ATMS, Caterease or related is also preferred.
• Experience using Paylocity Payroll system a plus.

Travel:

Up to 10% travel required. Requires the ability to travel to remote locations (or other Garden locations) where environment may vary significantly.