Event Sales Manager

Event Sales Manager

The Hawthorn | Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Full-Time | On-Site | Salary Performance Incentives

Compensation: $60,000–$70,000 base salary, plus performance-based incentives
Target Total Annual Compensation: $75,000–$85,000, with additional earning potential for exceptional performance

About The Hawthorn

Located in Portsmouth's vibrant West End, The Hawthorn is a distinctive wedding and event venue housed in the historic Frank Jones Brewing Company. With soaring ceilings, exposed brick, architectural character, and an elevated yet welcoming atmosphere, The Hawthorn offers a refreshing alternative to traditional event spaces.

We host weddings, corporate gatherings, holiday parties, and social celebrations, creating memorable experiences in a space that feels both sophisticated and inviting.

We're looking for a personable, motivated, and results-driven Event Sales Manager to help grow our business and introduce more clients to everything The Hawthorn has to offer.

About the Role

The Event Sales Manager will lead sales efforts for weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations, serving as the primary point of contact for prospective clients from their initial inquiry through contract signing.

This is a relationship-driven sales position for someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people, understands hospitality, and knows how to turn an exceptional client experience into a confirmed booking.

In addition to driving sales, this person will independently coordinate and manage select smaller events, such as corporate holiday parties, cocktail receptions, and private celebrations. Larger weddings and more complex events will transition to our in-house planning team.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable hosting an engaging venue tour, closing a significant event contract, and overseeing a beautifully executed cocktail reception.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Manage incoming inquiries for weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations.
• Conduct engaging, personalized venue tours that showcase The Hawthorn and help prospective clients envision their events.
• Prepare customized proposals, pricing estimates, and contracts.
• Guide prospective clients through the sales process, maintaining consistent follow-up and building strong relationships.
• Negotiate and close bookings while maintaining established pricing and profitability goals.
• Proactively develop new business through outreach to local companies, organizations, event professionals, and community partners.
• Build relationships with corporate decision-makers, executive assistants, and event planners to generate repeat business.
• Identify opportunities to increase bookings during weekdays, off-peak periods, and the holiday season.
• Maintain an organized sales pipeline and track conversion rates, bookings, and revenue against established goals.

Event Management

• Independently coordinate and manage select smaller corporate and social events from booking through execution.
• Serve as the primary client contact for assigned events.
• Coordinate event logistics, vendors, timelines, floor plans, and staffing requirements.
• Work closely with The Hawthorn's bar and operations teams to ensure seamless event execution.
• Provide a thoughtful, attentive client experience from initial planning through the event itself.
• Transition weddings and more complex events to our in-house planning team, ensuring a smooth and thorough handoff.

Collaboration & Operations

• Work closely with ownership, the planning team, and venue operations to achieve sales and revenue goals.
• Maintain accurate client records, proposals, contracts, and event details within our CRM.
• Participate in sales meetings, revenue forecasting, and business development initiatives.
• Represent The Hawthorn professionally at networking events, industry gatherings, and community functions.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in event sales, catering sales, hotel sales, hospitality, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in sales, relationship management, and closing business.
• Experience coordinating weddings, corporate events, or private celebrations.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a natural ability to make clients feel comfortable and confident.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple inquiries, clients, and deadlines simultaneously.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach to generating new business.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience.
• Comfort working with CRM systems, event management software, and standard business applications.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends for tours, client meetings, and assigned events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships within the Seacoast business, hospitality, or event community.
• Experience selling weddings, corporate events, or private functions at an upscale venue, hotel, or restaurant.
• Familiarity with HoneyBook or similar CRM and event management platforms.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $60,000–$70,000 annually, depending on experience.
• Performance Incentives: Commission or bonus opportunities tied to individual sales performance and revenue goals.
• Target Total Compensation: $70,000–$85,000 annually.
• Paid time off, and full medical beneifts available.
• Opportunity to play a meaningful role in the growth of a distinctive Portsmouth event venue.

Why Join The Hawthorn?

We're a growing, independently woman owned venue with a clear vision for hospitality and an appreciation for the details that make an event memorable.

We're looking for someone who brings energy, initiative, and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting with people. Someone who takes pride in building relationships, enjoys the excitement of closing a sale, and understands that great hospitality begins long before guests walk through the door.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the sales process, help shape our continued growth, and become an important part of a small, collaborative team.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction highlighting your experience in event sales, hospitality, or business development.

We'd love to hear what excites you about joining The Hawthorn.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $70,000