Senior Events & Sales Manager

Culinary Artistas seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Events & Sales Manager to own the full lifecycle of our events business — from consultative sales and client experience to operational execution and systems improvement. This role is ideal for a strong operator who thrives at the intersection of revenue growth, event design, and process-building, and who can lead client conversations while ensuring seamless backend execution. It's a growth-oriented position with meaningful ownership and room to expand in scope as the business evolves. Description Location & Schedule - Status: This is a part-time, non-exempt position (eligible for overtime). - This role is primarily remote, requiring approximately one visit per week (depending on events schedule and needs) to our Ghirardelli Square studio for open houses and signature events. - Business hours are Monday through Friday (8am to 6pm); flexibility available while adhering to client response SLAs - Occasional evenings and weekends may be required based on event schedule - Hours: Beginning up to 15 hours per week, advancing to up to 25 hours per week Responsibilities  Event Sales & Client Acquisition (5–10 hrs/week) - Own the full events sales cycle from inquiry to booking. This encompasses corporate events, kids birthday parties, venue rentals, Plate Dates, and special events.  - Manage the events inbox and phone line; maintain a 1-business-day response SLA (2-day max) - Own the Tripleseat sales process: proposals, contracts, invoicing, and follow-ups - Convert inbound leads and conduct virtual sales calls - Manage and nurture client pipeline in HubSpot - Maintain and optimize partner platforms (Peerspace, Tagvenue, The Knot, etc.) - Collaborate with Revenue Operations to strengthen CRM systems and processes - Continuously refine the sales process to improve conversion rates - Lead studio open houses for potential venue renters (typically biweekly on Mondays, 1 hour) This role prioritizes high lead conversion and process efficiency, while still overseeing lead generation and nurturing strategy. Event Planning, Design & Client Management (5–10 hrs/week) Own events from booking through post-event completion. - Own and manage  the full event lifecycle in Tripleseat from booking through post-event completion - Conduct pre-event video  calls with clients; confirm final details and set expectations - Anticipate and resolve event needs proactively - Serve as on-call escalation contact during events and venue rentals, including weekends - Design and plan large-scale or customized events in collaboration with leadership and kitchen team  - Spearhead special projects including seasonal menu offerings, launches, and large bookings - Build and manage event-related vendor relationships - Coordinate staff training for new event-related menus and programs - Bridge and strengthen communication between the Kitchen and Events teams - Maintain rental inventory and event materials in physical studio space - Serve as Front of House Lead on-site for custom and large-scale events as needed - Support staff retreats, team building, birthdays, and recruiting as needed Staffing Operations (2-4 hrs/week) - Input and adjust event staff shifts in Sling once an event books - Collaborate with Staffing Manager to adjust staff schedules  based on headcount, menus, allergies, time changes, or other event updates - Work closely with the Staffing Manager to ensure strong staff coverage in advance of each event (Staffing Manager will own filling shifts) - Collect on-site team feedback before closing out event communications with clients - Draft weekly Staff Prep Emails  in collaboration with the Staffing Manager Strategy, Reporting & Growth (1-3 hr/week) - Partner with leadership on annual and quarterly budgets - Own, track and report on monthly, quarterly, and annual events sales goals - Own Tripleseat (event management platform) system integrity and the events calendar - Improve backend systems and operational workflows - Develop strategy for larger-ticket partnerships including tour groups, multi-event clients, and corporate dinners - Continuously evolve sales and planning processes to meet business needs Skills + Experience Required - 5+ years of event planning and management experience - 3+ years of direct sales experience - 2+ years of operations and/or project management experience - Demonstrated experience meeting quarterly and annual revenue goals - Experience building and scaling systems and teams - Strategic planning and budgeting experience - Proficiency in Tripleseat (or similar EMS), HubSpot (or similar CRM), and Google Workspace - Availability for occasional evenings and weekends - Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs (event kits/supplies) occasionally. Preferred - Experience in culinary, hospitality, or culinary education environments - Management experience - Experience with staff scheduling tools - Bachelor's degree in business, hospitality, or related field You Are… - A champion of our Code of Conduct: Ownership, Team Player, Process-Driven, Clear & Kind Communication, and Growth-Mindset - An owner — you close loops, anticipate needs, and think ahead - Highly detail-oriented with the ability to zoom out strategically - Experienced in consultative, solution-based sales - Comfortable serving as the public face of the organization - Calm, decisive, and hands-on under pressure - Highly organized and able to juggle multiple priorities - Strategic and creative in designing sustainable event experiences - Independent and self-directed while remaining coachable and growth-oriented - Passionate about and confident selling culinary-focused experiences - Flexible and responsive to changing client and group needs Compensation Status: Part-time, Non-Exempt (Hourly) Base Rate: $32.00 per hour This role follows a structured ramp-up period to allow for systems mastery and lead pipeline development: - Phase 1: Introductory Period (Months 1–3) - Schedule: Up to 15 hours per week at $32/hr. - Focus: Onboarding, lead conversion, and culture integration.  - Working in tandem with VP of Events and Operations. - Phase 2: Growth Phase (Months 4–6) - Schedule: Up to 15 hours per week at $32/hr, plus 3% commission on booked and completed (paid in full) event revenue,  - Commission is Incentive-based and contingent upon meeting lead conversion and event growth targets - Phase 3: Ongoing (Targeted after 6 Months) - Schedule: Up to 25 hours per week at $32/hr, plus 3% commission on booked and completed (paid in full) event revue.   - As in the previous phase, commission is Incentive-based and contingent upon meeting lead conversion and event growth targets - Following this phase, the role is intended to maintain a consistent schedule of approximately 25 hours per week, subject to ongoing business needs and performance.  Note on Commission & Hours: A formal Written Commission Agreement (per CA Labor Code §2751) detailing calculation methods and payment schedules will be provided upon hire. Commission is calculated on event subtotals (excluding sales tax, gratuity, and fees) for completed and fully paid events. As a non-exempt role, all hours worked are compensable at the hourly or applicable overtime rate. Advancement is based on performance and business needs. Commission is calculated on event subtotals (excluding sales tax, gratuity, and processing fees) for completed and fully paid events. Benefits - SF Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) contributions, where applicable - 401(k) with employer match - Commission (See above) Culinary Artistas collects personal information, such as name, contact information, employment history, and education, to evaluate your application and for business purposes, including compliance with laws and monitoring security. For more information regarding our data collection and your privacy rights, please review our California Privacy Notice https://www.culinaryartistas.com/about/privacy Culinary Artistas is an equal opportunity employer. This position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. Employment remains at-will during and after the introductory period. About the Company Culinary Artistas is built on the belief that cooking is a creative language that connects, educates, and brings people together. Based in San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square, we create welcoming and inclusive experiences for all ages rooted in our purpose of cooking to connect. For kids and families, we offer hands-on classes, parties, and camps that build confidence, curiosity, and a healthy relationship with food. For adults, we design vibrant and immersive culinary events including corporate cooking experiences and private celebrations. We’re a collaborative team of educators, chefs, event managers, and parents who care deeply about creativity, inclusivity, and meaningful experiences.