Rental Sales Manager
Memphis Art Museum
Full-time, on-site
Reports to: Director of Sales and Business Development
About the opportunity
In December 2026, the Memphis Art Museum opens a new home on the downtown riverfront: a full city block on the bluff, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects, with street-level galleries, a community courtyard, a rooftop sculpture garden, and event spaces built to host everything from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. It will be one of the most striking event venues in the city, and it is about to open its doors.
That makes this one of the best rental sales opportunities in Memphis. We are looking for a Rental Sales Manager to sell it, with a clear focus on private and corporate events, and a mandate to grow the program fast. This person is crucial to the museum's revenue and to how clients experience the building.
We want someone personable, visionary, and ambitious who sees this new venue for what it is and is genuinely excited to double our event rental program. You do not need a museum background. You do need to know how to sell, build relationships, and turn a remarkable space into booked, repeat business.
What you will own
Selling private and corporate events. You are the engine of the rental program. You drive bookings for weddings, corporate functions, and private events, owning the pipeline from first inquiry to signed contract and meeting or exceeding your sales goals along the way.
Outreach that fills the calendar. You build and maintain relationships with couples, wedding planners, corporate clients, and the broader Memphis community. You develop and run a proactive sales strategy, attend networking events and expos, and actively put this venue in front of the people who book events.
A standout client experience, start to finish. You are the primary point of contact for your clients and the reason they feel cared for. You answer inquiries promptly and professionally, lead site visits and tours that show the building at its best, and provide the kind of personalized service that turns a tour into a booking and a booking into a referral.
Proposals, contracts, and the close. You prepare proposals, contracts, and invoices, and you negotiate terms within approved parameters. You keep the process smooth, organized, and professional so clients say yes with confidence.
Tight coordination with the sales and production teams. You work closely with the rest of the sales team to grow the overall business, and you partner with our production team to hand off every booking cleanly so each event is executed flawlessly from contract through the client's final goodbye.
Where this role is going
The headline goal is simple and ambitious: double the event rental program. A brand-new, architecturally significant venue on the riverfront is the once-in-a-generation chance to do exactly that. The person who steps in with vision and drive will not just inherit a growing and functioning rental program; they will build the next version of it.
Who you are
- A natural with people. Personable, warm, and great at building relationships.
- Visionary and ambitious, excited by the goal of doubling the program and ready to own it.
- An experienced seller with a track record in sales, customer service, or relationship management, and a habit of hitting goals.
- A strong closer who can promptly prepare proposals, negotiate, and move clients to a confident yes.
- Highly organized and able to manage a high volume of client interactions without dropping a detail.
- A real collaborator who works well with both a sales team and a production team.
- Self-motivated and goal-oriented, comfortable working independently and as part of a group.
A bachelor's degree in marketing, business, arts administration, or a related field is welcome, as is equivalent work experience. A background in museum or arts settings is not required. We care most about sales instinct, relationship skills, and drive.
Compensation
This role offers a base salary of $50,000 to $60,000 depending on experience, plus commission.
Benefits
- A cafeteria plan that includes optional health, dental, vision, additional life insurance and supplemental policies, and a flexible spending account. The museum contributes toward the employee portion of health insurance premiums.
- A 401(k) retirement plan, with the museum matching up to 4 percent of your salary annually.
- Paid time off (OPTO) based on employment category and years of service, in addition to regular paid holidays.
To apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to Sara.Shivani@brooksmuseum.org by July 22, 2026 with Rental Sales Manager in the subject line.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Recent studies show that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.
The Memphis Art Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.