Job DetailsJob Location: Omaha Zoo - Omaha, NE 68107Position Type: Full TimeJob Title: Event Sales Assistant Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Classification: Full-time
Hours: Schedule may vary depending on event needs (evenings, weekends, and holiday availability required)
Pay Rate: Pay range starts at $22.53/hour
Summary:
The Event Sales Assistant Manager owns the day-to-day operational execution of the event sales function, ensuring a strong, organized, and revenue-focused pipeline from initial inquiry through client handoff. As a key extension of the Event Sales and Experience Manager, this role executes established sales strategy while driving momentum, efficiency, and service quality in support of revenue goals, pricing strategy, and upsell opportunities across the events portfolio.
This position directly leads the Event Sales team and oversees daily workflows, client communications, and sales processes to ensure timely responses, accurate proposals, and disciplined sales execution. Working in close partnership with the Event Experience Assistant Manager, the Event Sales Assistant Manager ensures event details are clearly documented, strategically positioned, and seamlessly transitioned from sales into operational execution, preserving both the client vision and revenue intent.
By proactively managing priorities, pipeline performance, and sales execution, this role keeps the sales function running smoothly and consistently.
Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):
Sales Execution and Pipeline Ownership
In coordination with the Event Sales and Experience Manager, supports the development and execution of sales strategies related to new event client acquisition and event bookings, including outbound lead generation, inbound inquiry follow-up, and early-stage relationship building.
Oversee the day-to-day execution of event sales activity for private events, and supports consistent event planning alongside internal events, ensuring inquiries are routed, assigned, and handled promptly, professionally, and consistently in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Own visibility into and oversight of the event sales pipeline, ensuring leads, follow-ups, booking conversions, and key milestones are accurately tracked, reported, and flowing correctly.
Ensure accurate and consistent reporting of sales activity, open opportunities, and pending revenue, maintaining clear oversight of pipeline health and execution.
Configure and manage lead workflows, including assigning inquiries to Event Sales Coordinators and ensuring balanced workloads and timely follow-through.
Oversee the preparation and quality of proposals, contracts, and event documentation, ensuring alignment with established pricing, packaging, sales strategy, and operational capabilities.
Participate directly in sales execution as needed to support team capacity and momentum, including supporting high-profile, complex, or VIP clients as needed.
Provides oversight to Sales Coordinators to ensure event-related invoicing and payment collection processes are completed accurately and on time, escalating issues as needed to support sales and revenue goals.
Ensure consistent adherence to all sales processes, communication guidelines, and internal procedures, reinforcing standards and accountability across the sales team.
Client Experience and Sales-to-Experience Handoff
Responsible for the accuracy and quality of the sales-to-operations handoff, ensuring event details are clearly documented and communicated.
Partner closely with the Event Experience Assistant Manager to align expectations, timelines, and client priorities.
Ensure Sales Coordinators prepare and present accurate and specific event details in BEO and planning meetings, ensuring the client vision is championed and operational continuity from sales to event delivery.
Support high-touch or VIP clients as needed to ensure confidence, clarity and satisfaction throughout the planning process.
Track guest sentiment, feedback trends, and prepare reports for departmental visibility; partner with Events leaders to recommend improvements to sales practices, cross-departmental collaboration, and standard operating procedures that strengthen the end-to-end guest experience.
Team Leadership and Sales Operations
Directly lead and support Event Sales Coordinators providing daily guidance, prioritization, and accountability.
Manage workloads, response times, and deadlines to uphold service standards and team efficiency.
Participate in recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, training, and coaching of sales team members in partnership with the Event Sales and Experience Manager.
Reinforce expectations for professional conduct and communications.
Act as the primary resource for sales process questions, troubleshooting, and execution support.
Confidently handle escalated client concerns in accordance with established protocols; escalate complex or high-impact issues to the Event Sales and Experience Manager.
Systems, Process and Continuous Improvement
Reinforce training; responsible for ensuring consistent adoption of sales processes, tools, and standard operating procedures across the sales team.
Identify operational gaps, inefficiencies or recurring challenges and proactively recommend and enact improvements.
Maintain detailed records, reporting and communication related to sales activity and performance.
Support special projects, new initiatives, and program launches as directed by the Director of Events and Event Sales and Experience Manager.
Cross-Department Collaboration
Maintain day-to-day coordination and working relationships with cross-departmental partners including Marketing, IT, Business Systems, Facilities, Education, and Animal Care, as well as cross-functional Guest Experience partners including Food and Beverage, Guest Services, and Retail, to support sales operations, reporting and client communications.
Partner closely with the Event Experience Assistant Manager to support detailed planning, and clear handoffs that translate sales commitments into successful event delivery.
Serve as a reliable bridge between sales execution and onsite experience, ensuring shared ownership of guest satisfaction through clear communication, coordination, and follow-through across all teams.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct supervision of the Event Sales Coordinators.
Responsible for workflow management, task delegation, and execution oversight within the sales team.
Provides input on performance feedback and development in partnership with the Event Sales and Experience Manager.
All leaders are expected to:
Foster connection, trust and transparency by leading with honesty, consistency, and inclusion. Leaders who embody these principles build a sense of community – creating an environment where team members feel seen, valued and united in purpose. This foundation enables teams to thrive and share in the joy of working together toward common goals.
Maintain two-way communication by regularly connecting with team members and encouraging dialogue. Open communication fuels innovation by ensuring all voices are heard and ideas are shared, driving our collective impact.
Create space for feedback—both giving and receiving—and follow up meaningfully. By valuing feedback, we promote an environment of care, where growth and improvement are supported, leading to impactful outcomes for both individuals and teams.
Model accountability and responsiveness by owning outcomes and addressing issues timely. This demonstrates care for the team’s well-being and ensures that our actions have a meaningful, positive impact on the organization.
Promote psychological safety by supporting open expression without fear of retaliation or judgment. A psychologically safe environment is fundamental to fostering joy in the workplace and enables everyone to contribute to our collective success with confidence.
Qualifications:
3-5 years of experience in event sales, hospitality sales, event planning, or related field.
Prior experience leading projects or teams; formal management experience preferred but not required.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
Customer-focused mindset with confidence communicating with clients and internal stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Calm, confident, and professional leader who thrives in live environments and leads by presence and example.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive management that fosters belonging, trust, and equitable collaboration across teams.
Comfortable working within established systems while also contributing feedback to improve processes.
Strong written communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and event sales, CRM or event management systems preferred.
Valid driver’s license required.
Candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background check with a clean driving record and drug test.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Must be available to work evenings, weekends and holidays based on event schedules.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during event execution.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed for event setup and operations.
DISCLAIMER
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
Qualifications
