Senior Sales & Event Coordinator

Employer: American Jewish University (AJU)

Job Title: Senior Sales & Event Coordinator

Status: Full Time (35 hours per week), Exempt

Location: On Site, Brandeis-Bardin Campus (BBC) Simi Valley

Reports to: Senior Director of Events

About American Jewish University 

American Jewish University (AJU)’s mission is singularly focused on the future of Jewish life, training and educating the next generation of rabbis, educators, professionals, and lay leaders, and creating innovative, dynamic pathways for Jewish learning and living. The Simi Valley campus spans over 2,700 acres of rolling hills and is the home of the iconic Brandeis-Bardin Campus (BBC) which is a premier venue for social and corporate functions.

Position Overview

The Senior Sales & Events Coordinator advances American Jewish University’s event and hospitality business at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus through proactive sales, client development, and exceptional service. With an approximate 70% emphasis on sales and business development, this position manages inquiries and a portfolio of prospective and existing clients, develops new business, and oversees administrative coordination, proposal development, contract preparation and administration, and event calendaring to support revenue and facility-utilization goals.

Approximately 30% of the role focuses on event coordination and campus operations, working collaboratively with the Events & Logistics Director and colleagues across Hospitality, Facilities, Catering, Operations, and Education & Programs. The Senior Coordinator develops a comprehensive understanding of campus logistics, systems, and operational procedures to support event planning and execution, provide backup coverage when needed, and contribute to seamless, efficient operations across the department.

Working directly with the Senior Director of Events & Programming, the Senior Coordinator manages multiple concurrent opportunities, events, and special projects; tracks and reports on relevant sales activity; and helps improve systems and procedures. Success requires initiative, sound judgment, dependable follow-through, and a collaborative, inclusive, guest-centered approach grounded in listening, knowledge sharing, and shared accountability. 

Primary Responsibilities | Sales & Business Development (approximately 70%)

• Serve as a primary point of contact for incoming phone and email inquiries; promptly qualify, prioritize, respond to, and route requests as appropriate.
• Proactively identify, research, and cultivate leads among corporate, nonprofit, educational, community, and other prospective clients; develop and carry out an outside-sales plan that includes outreach, site visits, and relationship building.
• Manage a pipeline of prospective and returning clients; build long-term relationships, encourage referrals and repeat bookings, and identify opportunities to expand use of campus facilities, housing, foodservice, and programs.
• Coordinate and lead campus tours, presenting available event spaces, accommodations, outdoor activities, and other relevant amenities.
• Prepare timely quotes, requests for proposals, event packages, and contract documentation; discuss pricing and terms within approved guidelines and route exceptions and final approvals according to established authority.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director on sales strategy, market positioning, package development, promotional initiatives, competitive research, and revenue opportunities.
• Maintain complete, accurate client communications, sales pipeline records, event information, and follow-up actions in approved CRM and event management systems.
• Track and report on sales activity and relevant key performance indicators, including lead generation, proposals, conversion rates, bookings, and client retention. Monitor industry trends, market conditions, and competitive activity to identify potential business opportunities and contribute recommendations to departmental sales strategies.
• Coordinate a thorough handoff of confirmed business to event operations, communicating contract terms, client goals, event specifications, and commitments.
• Coordinate post-event client outreach, feedback, invoicing, and payment follow-up with appropriate teams to support satisfaction and repeat business.

Event Coordination & Operational Support (approximately 30%)

• Support the Events & Logistics Director in planning and coordinating assigned retreats, conferences, school programs, Shabbaton weekends, meetings, and special events, including concurrent bookings.
• Assist with event timelines, facilities worksheets, meeting and housing requirements, staffing and rental coordination, recreation, guest arrivals, security lists, and on-site readiness as assigned.
• Coordinate client menus, dietary restrictions, and Kashrut-related requirements with Catering and Hospitality; communicate changes and special needs promptly.
• Provide timely, accurate event information and updates to Facilities, Operations, Catering, Hospitality, Education & Programs, and other campus stakeholders.
• Develop working proficiency in event management systems, campus protocols, and operational documentation; participate in cross-training to support operational continuity, flexibility, and shared departmental coverage.
• Support assigned on-site event activities, proactively address event needs, resolve operational challenges within established authority, and communicate matters requiring additional support or leadership attention.
• Maintain organized, accessible event files and current process documentation to support consistent service and continuity.

Departmental Initiatives, Project Management & Collaboration

• Independently manage multiple sales opportunities, client accounts, events, and departmental projects; prioritize deadlines, track deliverables, anticipate needs, proactively address challenges, and provide regular progress updates.
• Work closely with the Senior Director to advance departmental priorities, strategic projects, new opportunities, and measurable performance objectives.
• Participate in evaluating, documenting, testing, and implementing improved sales, pricing, booking, reporting, and operational procedures and systems.
• Listen to colleagues and stakeholders, share knowledge, invite constructive feedback, and contribute solutions that improve communication, efficiency, accessibility, client experience, and team resilience.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and service-oriented culture that values collaboration, mutual support, shared accountability, open communication, and a commitment to collective success.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Three or more years of relevant sales, business development, event coordination, hospitality, venue operations, or related experience preferred; equivalent combinations of experience and education considered.
• Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships, prepare proposals, and manage multiple projects and events simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organization, analytical, customer-service, and problem-solving skills; ability to exercise independent judgment within established policies.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and database, CRM, scheduling, or event-management tools; comfort learning new systems and working with KPI reports.
• Collaborative approach, adaptability, initiative, discretion, and commitment to timely, accurate follow-through.
• Knowledge of kosher standards and Jewish cultural practices preferred, or willingness to learn.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience considered.
• Valid driver’s license required for campus travel in a company vehicle.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event needs.
• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment  

• Primarily on-site at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus. Work may require extended periods of sitting or standing, movement between indoor and outdoor campus locations, occasional off-site outreach, and lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying items up to 25 pounds. ‘
• Occasional movement throughout campus and to off-site locations may be required.

Compensation

• Pay: Starting at $73,000 annual salary.
• American Jewish University offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan participation; paid time off; and other employee benefits.

Please note that this job description is not meant to cover or include all the tasks, duties, and responsibilities the employee may be required to perform, and may be subject to change at the company’s discretion, with or without notice or contemporaneous update to this document. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to the extent required by and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law; contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodation.  Nothing in this job description modifies the at-will nature of employment. If you require accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact hr@aju.edu.

American Jewish University (AJU) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all forms and areas of the university. Please visit our full diversity statement at https://aju.edu/.