Lead Rentals & Events Manager

Museum-of-Life-and-Scienc; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC is seeking a Rentals Manager to lead the facility rental program, manage the Rentals team, and drive revenue while delivering exceptional client experiences from inquiry through post-event follow-up.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, managing the rental calendar, coordinating with departments, and serving as on-site venue manager for complex events. Weekend/evening availability and emergency coordination training are required.

Qualifications

• College degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, or a related field, or 3+ years of relevant professional experience
• Commitment to the Museum's mission of sparking curiosity and respect for nature and science
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, set priorities, and provide clear direction and leadership to staff.
• Experience with contracts, budgets, invoices, and revenue goals
• Experience responding to client escalations
• Proficiency with CRM, event-management, database, or project-management systems
• Available to work occasional weekends, evenings, and late nights
• Physical ability to be on one's feet for 8+ hours, travel distances of up to one mile on variable terrain, and lift 25 lbs.
• Sales, business-development, or marketing experience
• Experience working in a museum or similar public-facing environment
• Previous experience supervising, coaching, or leading staff
• Experience in emergency management
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a responsive, client-centered sales and planning process that helps convert inquiries into successful rental events while meeting Museum revenue and service goals.
• Set daily and weekly priorities for the Rentals team and assign work based on the event calendar, staff availability, and operational needs.
• Provide regular supervision, coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Maintain oversight of the full rental calendar and identify potential conflicts involving staffing, spaces, equipment, or other Museum resources.
• Establish and reinforce consistent team procedures, service standards, planning practices, and client communications.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop Rentals staff; partner with Assistant Managers to build team capacity, delegate responsibilities effectively, and ensure appropriate coverage.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for clients, vendors, and staff. Resolve routine concerns independently and bring significant policy, financial, safety, or client-service concerns to the Director.
• Work closely with other Museum departments to ensure events are appropriately planned and supported.
• Serve as the on-site venue manager or Event Captain for complex or high-profile events as needed.
• Complete Emergency Coordinator training and serve as an after-hours Emergency Coordinator when needed.
• Monitor rental revenue, sales pipeline, departmental expenses, and budget performance against established goals; identify trends or concerns and recommend appropriate action.
• Ensure contracts, invoices, payment collection, recordkeeping, and financial reconciliation are completed accurately and on time.
• Partner with the Director to implement departmental strategies, initiatives, and operational improvements.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with caterers, rental companies, planners, and other event vendors to support high-quality events and consistent Museum standards.
• Represent the Museum at networking events and trade shows.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Client relations

Leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Emergency management

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Event planning

Education

Event management or Hospitality management degree OR 3+ years related experience

Tools

CRM software

Event-management software

Database software

Project-management software

Job description

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC is seeking a Rentals Manager to lead the facility rental program, manage the Rentals team, and drive revenue while delivering exceptional client experiences from inquiry through post-event follow-up.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, managing the rental calendar, coordinating with departments, and serving as on-site venue manager for complex events. Weekend/evening availability and emergency coordination training are required.