Wedding sales and events manager

The Franklin Institute (TFI), the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, strives to be the world leader in promoting science and technology education and literacy through inspiring and engaging experiences that cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of the crucial role science plays in our lives.

At TFI, we provide an environment that is as nurturing as it is dynamic. Our team-oriented approach allows for ample learning and career growth opportunities. We think you will find the Institute offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. We are eager for your input, ideas, and inspiration.

Position Description:

The Wedding Sales & Events Manager is responsible for the sales, planning, and management of the wedding program at The Franklin Institute. The Wedding Sales & Events Manager plays a critical role ensuring that every wedding is sophisticated, welcoming, flawlessly executed, and reflective of The Franklin Institute's standards of excellence. Serving as the primary point of contact for all wedding inquiries, this position guides couples through the sales process from initial inquiry through contract execution, planning, event execution, and post-event follow-up. This role is responsible for building strong client and vendor relationships, converting wedding leads into booked events, and ensuring an exceptional experience throughout the entire planning process. This position works closely with the Director of Events & Catering, the Senior Event Sales & Strategy Manager, Levy Restaurants, wedding vendors, and museum departments to coordinate all wedding logistics, maintain accurate event documentation, and deliver exceptional wedding experiences.

Essential Functions

Wedding Sales & Client Management

• Serve as the primary contact for all incoming wedding inquiries, ensuring communications are timely, accurate, and sales-focused
• Responsible for all wedding events hosted at The Franklin Institute
• Conduct site tours for prospective wedding clients
• Prepare proposals, contracts, pricing information, and client-facing materials for prospective wedding clients
• Follow up leads and convert inquiries into booked wedding events and track accordingly
• Build and maintain strong relationships with wedding clients to support client satisfaction, referrals, and positive word-of-mouth and online reviews
• Partner with the Director of Events & Catering to review wedding lead flow, pricing strategy, availability, and booking goals
• Maintain relationships with preferred wedding vendors and assist with wedding-focused marketing initiatives, including venue listings, website content, wedding showcase and digital marketing efforts as needed
• Ensure client satisfaction throughout every phase of the wedding planning process

Event Planning & Logistics

• Develop and execute operational plans for all weddings at The Franklin Institute
• Implement and facilitate all logistical and operational correspondence with wedding clients in a clear and concise manner
• Prepare, maintain, and distribute Banquet Event Orders for all weddings to provide museum staff with all necessary event information
• Attend Banquet Event Order meetings and perform as a team leader to relay the necessary information regarding all wedding plans
• Create and maintain floor plans in Social Tables for assigned weddings
• Liaise between wedding vendors, wedding clients, Levy Restaurants, and The Franklin Institute for all weddings
• Serve as onsite manager for all weddings; will include weekend and evening events
• Assist with wedding follow-up, including surveys, thank-you letters, and post-event communication for wedding clients

Operations & Administration

• Maintain accurate wedding files, contracts, BEOs, floor plans, correspondence, and client records
• Attend and report wedding Banquet Event Order information at weekly operational meetings
• Coordinate wedding dates with the Senior Sales & Internal Event Logistics Manager to ensure efficient space utilization and operational planning
• Assist with scheduling event staff and event managers for wedding events
• Supervise event staff, managers, and vendors during all weddings and conduct assessments and reviews as needed
• Provide hands-on assistance across the Events & Catering department as needed to ensure exceptional wedding execution and client satisfaction

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in wedding sales, wedding planning, hospitality, catering, or similar client-facing role
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership and motivating skills, including the ability to build strong relationships with customers, vendors, and staff
• Demonstrated track record building successful client relationships and supporting wedding sales or client conversion
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Prior experience and knowledge of the process for hiring, training, scheduling, and overseeing event staff is preferred
• Experience managing all aspects of luxury weddings or high-end wedding events strongly preferred
• Proven ability to work with catering sales staff, wedding clients, vendors, and other departments to coordinate all details of a wedding event
• Experience with Delphi software or similar event management software is desired
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, possibly from two to eight hours, and the ability to lift tables, chairs, and event equipment up to approximately 40 pounds on occasion is required
• Flexibility to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the wedding event schedule

Required Competencies:

• Exceptional relationship-building and client trust development
• Strong ability to manage one’s own time and prioritize tasks
• Extremely organized and highly responsive; capable of managing a high volume of active leads, proposals, site tours, follow-ups, reporting, and internal event logistics
• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with clients, vendors, Levy Restaurants, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Visitor Experience, Education, Development, and other internal departments
• Comfort working irregular hours, including evenings and weekends
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Status:

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Salary Range:

$65,000 - $70,000

Benefits Information:

The Franklin Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision, 401K, life insurance and disability coverage. We also offer generous Paid Time Off, paid holidays, and numerous wellness program benefits.

To apply, please visit our Career Center here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Franklin Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability or protected veteran status.