Outbound Sales Manager

The iO Theater is looking to hire a dynamic sales manager.

About iO Theater

Chicago’s iO Theater was founded in 1981 by Charna Halpern and David Shepherd. Following Shepherd’s departure, improv specialist Del Close came aboard and helped turn iO into one of the country’s premier comedy theaters and a launching pad for some of America’s most promising comedic talents. Following the theater’s pandemic-related closure in 2020, Halpern sold iO the following year. Now in the care of new owners and a new management team, the restored theater is once again at the epicenter of long-form improvisation.

iO’s Mission

The founders of iO were instrumental in the creation and development of longform improvisation. Through this collaborative artform, iO seeks to create a community that makes space and creates new pathways and entry points for performers of all backgrounds and abilities.

iO is committed to creating an inclusive incubator for performers and ensembles to explore this art form and develop new and exciting works.

DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities: The Sales Manager focuses on corporate workshops and private shows and events

Reports to the Managing Director/Executive Producer

Generates events sales by scouting new business and maintaining relationships with

existing clients

Serves as the first point of contact for clients to plan workshops, develop contracts, detail

events

Works with The Workshop/Event Producer and iO operations teams (Culinary, Front of House, Retail and QuickService) on event preparation

Meets with clients for additional walk-throughs to finalize event details

Respond to inquiries daily, ensuring all inquiries are responded to same day

Manage event calendar and ensure private events are booked to maximum capacity in

all rooms and maximum revenue is generated

Diligently keep contracts, BEOS and payments for all events managed, on time and

organized

Monthly management of budget and proactively ensuring that sales are at or exceeding budget goals

Manages a book of business to achieve new business

Works with event producer to creates proposals, contracts and event orders, as well as packages tailored to each clients requests

Recaps events and provides operation, sales and production suggestions to the team

Maintains industry knowledge including principles and practices within improvisation and corporate training

Performs other duties as required or assigned

Qualifications, Education & Behavior:

3 – 5 years of experience selling B2B products
Well organized, detail oriented with excellent follow-up and communication skills-
Passion and understanding of improvisation, producing high quality events, and building account relationships
Ability to research new business opportunities then connect via phone and in person-
Excellent communication skills
Must be able to maintain a professional manner under stress-Ability to adapt to changing guest needs quickly and effectively
Ability to multitask, with strong organizational and time management skills
Must be able to work independently
Capable of working with multiple departments
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook programs

Job Type: Full Time

Pay: 45k annually + commission

Schedule: TBD

Supplemental pay types:

Commission pay

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Jobs@ioimprov.com. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.