Manager of Rental Events

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Manager of Rental Events is responsible for developing and implementing a rental program for three venues managed by City Parks Foundation. Rental of these spaces provides much needed revenue that is used by City Parks Foundation to help support our free programs around New York City.  During the summer season of approximately mid-May through early October, the schedule for this position will mirror the SummerStage event schedule, which includes evening and weekend hours.  From mid-October through early May, the position will follow a hybrid office schedule, with two days per week in office, currently Wednesday & Thursday.  

The Manager reports to the Director of Arts Operations. The venues are: 

• Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park (5%): a children’s theater in an historic building near West 81st Street that contains a small indoor theater seating up to 100 and an adjacent room suitable for birthday parties, dinners, or other small receptions for up to 30-40. Location has also been used for film shoots.
• CityParks Junior Golf Center in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn (5%): a public training facility featuring a 6-hole par 3 golf course, putting and chipping greens, a driving range, and an indoor clubhouse and classroom. The Junior Golf Center is available for employee engagement events and team-building activities.

The Manager will be responsible for prospecting, selling, planning and servicing private events in each of these venues. 

COMPENSATION: $75 - $85,000 per year

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create sales packages and devise marketing strategies to promote the availability of rental spaces.
• Identify and proactively approach prospective renters to secure rental agreements.
• Develop and maintain a diverse portfolio of industry contacts.  Work with other City Parks Foundation staff and consultants to cultivate existing relationships and identify new prospects.
• Conduct walk-throughs and other meetings to share information with potential renters about the locations.
• Coordinate with Client & Patron Services Coordinator for SummerStage calendar management, NYC Parks permitting, ticketing, and other event execution needs.  Coordinate with Cottage and Golf Center staff for those locations.
• Create contracts and other agreements with rental clients and manage accounts receivable.
• Manage small portfolio of legacy clients/events that are required to take place each year.
• Coordinate with all relevant vendors including caterers.
• Serve as on-site liaison for events and coordinate event execution with appropriate venue staff to ensure that all event requirements are met.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• 5+ years of experience in event sales/rentals and strong knowledge of the industry.
• Proven track record with event rentals and sales and guest services. 
• Working knowledge of catering and event management, and familiarity with basic performance and technical specifications.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under deadlines in a fast-based environment with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service in all relations with clients.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, nights and weekends as required.

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. City Parks Foundation does not offer visa sponsorship.