Event Sales Representative

Make a Positive Impact on Your Community While You Work

Oakstop is a social enterprise startup that uses commercial real estate as a platform for economic development and community empowerment by providing workspace, meeting/event space, and creative space for entrepreneurs, artists, and communities of color.

A Unique Career Opportunity with a Company That is Making a Real Difference in Oakland!

We are experiencing significant and rapid growth and seek an Event Sales Representative to facilitate our various event needs across multiple event venues. Working closely with our Event Sales Manager, and Bookings Team, the Event Sales Representative will play an integral role in the success of corporate and cultural events, assist with the preparation and execution of each event/meeting as requested by the client during each assigned shift, while also providing stellar customer service. The Event Sales Representative will field incoming leads, schedule bookings, communicate follow-up activities to staff, and execute sales strategies to acquire new customers or clients. The Event Sales Representative will also need to be knowledgeable about Oakstop as a business and be able to promote our available services and spaces to other guests and clients during events.

The ideal candidate has experience working in either client relationship, event planning, event management, or general customer service positions. They will be comfortable meeting a broad range of people and being a proactive team player in a fast-paced, often intense, environment. A personal relationship with Oakland is appreciated, as our work is deeply rooted in the community.

Schedule

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position
• Schedule may include weekends and evenings, but is flexible throughout weekdays.

Compensation

• Pay Range- $23-$35 per hour depending on experience

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation and Holiday policy
• 50% Employee Discount on Meeting/Event Space
• Fun community events, concerts, art exhibits, and team building activities

Responsibilities

• Provide superior customer service to our internal and external customers at all times, including telephone and email correspondence
• Enthusiastically engage guests to answer any questions or concerns they may have
• Regularly check on guests at standard intervals to ensure their full comfort and satisfaction
• Decrease lead response time and improve rates of retention using protocols
• Provide functional, seamless, and efficient bookings operations by leveraging email, text and booking/schedule documentation to facilitate clear communication and close attention to all of the details and logistics for each confirmed event and/or meeting
• Increase productivity and production quality of Oakstop events by anticipating client needs
• Create positive experiences that encourage customers to choose Oakstop for their next event

Desired Experience

• 1+ years of proven experience working as an Event Sales Manager, Events Coordinator or Event Production Manager
• 1+ years of proven experience managing and motivating staff
• Deep knowledge of event production and management
• Understanding of quality standards for corporate events, cultural events, and personal events
• Knowledge of performance management and evaluation practices
• Understanding of a broad range of audio/visual equipment, inclusive of troubleshooting ability
• Proficient in Google Workspace, Asana, and knowledge of Tripleseat is a plus
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills (with internal staff and external clients)
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Superior critical thinking, attention to detail, and decision-making skills

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree is a plus
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and weekday business hours
• Able to engage an existing personal or professional network around Oakstop’s offerings
• Must have friendly disposition and be comfortable interacting with customers of all kinds
• Experience with conflict resolution strategies and an ability to diffuse client frustration
• Excellent communication skills; in-person, over the phone, and via formal emails
• Computer savvy and an ability to seamlessly navigate email, Google Docs, and calendaring platforms
• Familiar with audio/visual equipment (projectors, audio mixers/cables, microphones) preferred
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to travel between downtown Oakland locations
• Ability to work in a variety of environments including but not limited to heights, elevators, darkened corridors, around crowds, loud noise, flashing lights, etc.

Additional Qualifications of a Great Candidate for this Role

• Relationship with Oakland and the Oakland community
• Background in arts, digital media, or other creative professions
• Fluent in multiple languages
• Experience with music, theater, or performance environments
• Experience with social enterprises and small startups
• Experience with standard sales software, including Liquidspace, Tripleseat, and Peerspace

Oakstop is committed to our community and hires accordingly.  We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

No phone calls or recruiters, please.