Sales Manager (Athenaeum Hotel)/ Career Opportunity

Description Chautauqua Institution owns and operates the Chautauqua Hotel Company (, a historic full-service comprehensive hotel that has 150 rooms for guests. The Athenaeum Hotel houses the Heirloom Restaurant, and the Lobby Lounge. The Athenaeum Hotel is open from late April through October for conferences and events. The Hotel is in full operation during the Chautauqua Institution summer season, from late June through late August. About the Opportunity About Your Work + Maintain a working knowledge of hotel operations including F&B, Catering, Guest Services, and Reservations in order to provide clients with accurate information. + Solicit, negotiate, and contract business through various efforts and promote upselling with contracted events to meet target budget goals. + Solicit, negotiate, and contract group business on behalf of Chautauqua Institution to include group tickets or venue rentals to meet assigned sales targets and pacing metrics. + Continually research and identify new and potential business within assigned segment, in alignment with assigned lead and pace goals. + Develop and continually enhance relationships with key accounts, community organizations and professional associations to maintain visibility and increase market share. + Collaborate with hotel departments to prepare information for clients. Coordinate meetings between clients and departments when necessary. + Coordinate or complete the delivery of group tickets during the Chautauqua Season to contracted groups. Work closely with ticketing and/or safety and security to arrange bus arrival and parking and ensure a positive arrival experience to Chautauqua. + Able to set priorities, plan, organize, and delegate. + Communicate safety guidelines with clients and ensure clients abide by set policies. + Provide detailed customization services and professional counsel to any client with special requests ensuring that those requests can be granted within confines of rules and regulations. + Maintain a working knowledge of the OPERA Sales and Catering Module within the Hotel’s Property Management System (PMS). + Maintain a working knowledge of the BOS ticketing system for group tickets and management. + Maintain a working knowledge of Salesforce CRM. + Collaborate with Chautauqua Institution and/or third-party organizations to identify and contract presenters for group programming in coordination with the Director of Sales and Marketing. + Prepare Banquet Event Orders (BEO) for assigned markets. Coordinate distribution to hotel departments with Sales Admin. + Participate in BEO, Daily Business Review, and Pre-Event meetings as required. + Resolve any client complaints with hotel staff and provide follow up and closure. + Assist with the posting of event deposits/final payments ensuring that timely communication occurs. + Revise and distribute Reservations Calendar for Hotel/Institution and coordinate work orders for building maintenance, as required. About You Education + Bachelors degree in Hospitality/Hotel, Event Management, Communications, or equivalent combination of education/experience. Experience + Minimum 3-years prior experience in hospitality experience in a client-facing role required. Strong preference will be given to candidates with proven sales experience in addition to professional event administration. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities + Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills (written/verbal) to interact with internal management and staff at all levels, as well as patrons and donors. + Working knowledge of event planning ‘best practices’/logistics and terminology to communicate effectively with vendors. Exceptional attention to detail coupled with an ability to make quick decisions, take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. + Must possess excellent attention to detail in relation to job duties and responsibilities coupled with the ability to provide positive client service. + Ability to navigate multiple high-priority demands/frequent changes in a fast-paced work environment with a balanced level of patience. + Proficiency in various computer applications, including Property Management System, Catering/Sales Software (Opera), and advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Key Relationships + Works closely with leaders and team members across Sales & Marketing, Operations, Food & Beverage, and Finance + Collaborates with year-round and seasonal staff + Serves as a point of contact for guests, prospective clients, and external vendors as needed Supervision and Guidance + Supervision of seasonal events team during functions + Supervision and Guidance to group leaders or presenters contracted with the Sales Office Total Rewards for Our Talent The compensation range for this opportunity starts at $62,500/annual and, with demonstrated experience and qualifications, candidates may earn up to $66,000/annual. Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and benefits suite includes a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spending (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, and long-term disability options. The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been 6% of gross compensation following the designated service period. About Your Department Chautauqua Institution owns and operates the Chautauqua Hotel Company (, a historic full-service comprehensive hotel that has 150 rooms for guests. The Athenaeum Hotel houses the Heirloom Restaurant, and the Lobby Lounge. The Athenaeum Hotel is open from late April through October for conferences and events. The Hotel is in full operation during the Chautauqua Institution summer season, from late June through late August. About Your Work Schedule & Location This position is based on-site at Chautauqua Institution’s Main Campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County) (, but may require some travel. The schedule is full-time. The typical schedule outside of the summer assembly is Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm located in the Sales Office at the Athenaeum Hotel. The schedule will include evening hours and weekends during the summer assembly and occasional off-season projects. About Chautauqua Institution Chautauqua Institution ( is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company (, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conference, and events organization. About the Referral Program Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program ( is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90 days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6 months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30 days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August. Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater. Our Commitment to IDEA Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) ( as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward (. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA. Joining Our Talent Community Join our talent community online at /employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at . Qualifications Behaviors Preferred + Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject + Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest + Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well + Team Player: Works well as a member of a group Motivations Preferred + Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization + Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business + Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help Experience Preferred + Minimum 3-years prior experience in hospitality experience in a client-facing role required. Strong preference will be given to candidates with proven sales experience in addition to professional event administration. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights ( notice from the Department of Labor.

Created: 2026-03-16