Event Sales Manager (Full Time)

About WSLR+Fogartyville

WSLR+Fogartyville is Sarasota’s community media and arts center. Fogartyville hosts live concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, community meetings, and special events that bring people together through creativity and culture. We believe community spaces should be accessible, welcoming, and alive with ideas.

Our earned income strategy supports community broadcasting, independent journalism, youth media education, and local arts programming. The event rental program is essential to this work. When local organizations meet here, when families celebrate milestones, and when groups host their events in our space, they help sustain community media in Sarasota.

Position Summary

Fogartyville is seeking an Event Sales Manager to drive rental revenue and grow long-term partnerships across the Sarasota region. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who enjoys meeting new people, discovering opportunities, and closing deals that benefit both the client and the community.

The Event Sales Manager will prospect, pitch, and secure rentals for events including nonprofit meetings, performances, private workshops, celebrations, and special engagements. You will oversee the full sales cycle from inquiry to signed agreement and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure every client has a positive, seamless experience.

You will join a small, mission-driven team that values initiative, curiosity, communication, and organizational excellence.

What You Will Do

• Execute a comprehensive sales strategy for venue rentals.

• Identify and cultivate new business leads. Build and maintain relationships with event planners, nonprofits, local organizations, and businesses.

• Manage the full sales cycle including lead generation, tours, proposal creation, negotiations, contract execution, billing, and follow through.

• Collaborate with the Fogartyville Director and Operations Team to coordinate logistics, confirm availability, and avoid scheduling conflicts.

• Work with communications staff to promote Fogartyville’s rental capabilities and maintain visibility in the local market.

• Track, analyze, and report on pipeline, occupancy rates, revenue goals, and conversion metrics.

• Maintain a client follow-up system including post-event surveys, relationship tracking, and long-term stewardship to encourage repeat rentals and referrals.

• Represent Fogartyville at networking events, community outreach programs, and industry gatherings in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

• Responsible for meeting quarterly rental revenue goals as established by the GM and Finance Committee.

• Ensure that all sales activities align with Fogartyville’s mission of community engagement and creative expression.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding revenue goals.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities. Ability to handle multiple inquiries and deadlines simultaneously.

• Comfort working with CRM systems and digital reporting tools or willingness to learn.

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends when tours or events require an on-site presence.

• Commitment to community engagement and positive client relationships.

Preferred

• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of sales experience in event rentals, hospitality, or a related field.

• Experience in nonprofit event or arts venue environments.

• Knowledge of the Sarasota and Manatee region events market.

• Familiarity with community arts organizations and local cultural networks.

• Passion for arts, culture, live music, journalism, and mission-driven organizations.

Work Environment

• Full time, based on site at 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, FL 34236 in the Rosemary District.

• Regular in-person tours and meetings with clients.

• Some evenings and weekends expected depending on rental schedule and client needs.

• Collaborative, mission-focused workplace with creative teams in radio, news, events, and communications.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $45,000 to $50,000 annually based on experience, plus threshold commission structure.

• Benefits include accrued PTO and flexible scheduling.

• Full-time, exempt position.

• Reports to the Fogartyville Director.

How to Apply

Send a cover letter, resume, and two references or samples of prior event sales work to info@wslr.org.
Include “Event Sales Manager Application – [Your Name]” in the subject line.
Priority consideration begins December 20, 2025. Position open until filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

WSLR+Fogartyville is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community.