Position Summary The Senior Manager of Venue Rentals and Events provides strategic leadership and oversight of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Venue Rentals, Events, and AV operations. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth, enhancing guest experience, and aligning event and venue operations with Mote’s mission and development goals. The Senior Manager leads cross-functional teams, cultivates relationships both internally and externally, and leverages venue rental clients as potential donors, partners, and long-term supporters. This role operates within Mote’s hands-on culture, balancing strategic planning, team oversight, and high-level operational involvement to maintain the highest standards of service and guest experience. The ideal Senior Manager will demonstrate strong leadership and operational management skills, with the ability to effectively oversee and develop a team of Managers. They will be well-connected within the community and comfortable serving as a visible, forward-facing leader representing the department. Success in this role requires exceptional networking abilities, as building and maintaining strategic relationships is critical. Responsibilities ● Lead, mentor, and develop managers, coordinators, and support staff across Venue Rentals, Events, and AV team. ● Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations to build a scalable, high-performing team. ● Foster a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on service excellence, safety, and operational success. ● Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to ensure staff growth and alignment with organizational goals. ● Identify staffing needs and support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives for new team members. ● Develop and execute a comprehensive revenue strategy for all venue rentals and events across Mote SEA, City Island, MAP, Florida Keys and future locations. ● Develop annual budgets to ensure financial goals are aligned with strategic objectives and revenue forecasts. ● Manage and strengthen the partnership with Sodexo/Deep Blue Hospitality to ensure exceptional guest experience and operational alignment. ● Set pricing strategies and evaluate revenue performance to maximize profitability while maintaining Mote’s premier value proposition. ● Attend networking events, including event-focused events, to maintain awareness of the market and identify opportunities for growth. ● Analyze sales pipelines, booking trends, and market opportunities to inform forecasting and strategic planning. ● Identify new revenue streams, including sponsorships, partnerships, and specialty events. ● Cultivate strong relationships with Mote departments including Education, Exhibits, Husbandry, CRC, Guest Services, Volunteers, Development, and Facilities. ● Provide high-level oversight of venue rental and major event execution while participating in hands-on leadership as needed. ● Lead strategic planning for venue rentals and events across all campuses and new locations. ● Identify opportunities to improve venue rental spaces, layouts, and operational flow to enhance the guest experience. ● Develop, review, and update SOPs and best practices for all operations affiliated with Venue Rentals and Events. ● Maintain and strengthen key vendor and community relationships, including Sodexo/Deep Blue Hospitality and other strategic ● Oversee the planning and execution of major Mote events, such as Farm to Fillet, Run for the Turtles, Oceanic Evening, Sharktoberfest, Black and White Party, and Mote’s legislative session events in Tallahassee (travel may be required) ● Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal laws, including safety protocols and music licensing. ● Uphold AZA standards and Mote’s safety procedures, including drills and disaster preparedness. ● Prioritize the safety of guests, staff, interns, and volunteers at all times. ● Provide input into long-term strategic planning for Mote SEA, City Island, MAP, and future venues. ● Evaluate and implement technology and process improvements for event management and Audio Visual operations. ● Act as a key resource for Mote leadership in planning signature events and institutional initiatives. Working Hours Normal office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event scheduling. Minimum Requirements ● First Aid and CPR certified or ability to attain within 3 months. ● Valid Florida Driver’s License or ability to attain within 6 months. Education ● Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work/life experience. Experience ● Minimum eight years’ experience in nonprofit operations, Hospitality industry or relevant work/life experience. ● Minimum 2 years supervisory experience in events management. ● Leadership experience in managing teams, vendors, or projects preferred. ● Proven expertise in managing venue rental revenue, client experience, and staff development. ● Strong background in strategic planning, sales, partnership development, and donor relations. ● Bonus: Proficiency with Tripleseat, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Stripe, Volgistics, Floor Plan software, Prism, and other payment platforms. Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year Benefits: Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Work Location: In person
Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 a year
Employment Type: ["Full-time"]
Qualifications
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