Membership Sales Manager - Lawrence, KS

Oak View Group · Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the m ...

Job description

Oak View Group
Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet .

Position Summary
The
Membership Sales Manager
is responsible for driving membership growth through strategic sales execution, marketing activation, and partnership development. This role serves as a key ambassador of the Club within the Lawrence and Kansas City communities and works closely with KU Athletics to strengthen the Club's presence, visibility, and value proposition to donors, alumni, corporate partners, and fans. The Manager is charged with generating new membership revenue by building meaningful community relationships, creating referral pipelines, leveraging KU Athletics engagement opportunities, and ensuring the Club is positioned as the premier year-round destination for connection, dining, and elevated experiences.

Success in this role is measured by the ability to consistently exceed membership sales targets while supporting retention initiatives and maintaining strong brand alignment with KU Athletics.

Primary Objectives
The Manager will achieve membership growth goals through a balance of proactive sales strategy, community partnership development, targeted marketing efforts, and relationship-based outreach.

Key Performance Goals Include

• Dues Added
• Initiation Fee Revenue
• Net Member Growth
• Member Retention
• Net Dues Revenue
• Management of Membership Contra & Sales Expenses
• Execution and Attendance of New Member Orientation / Onboarding
• Member Engagement & Community Integration

This role pays an annual salary of $60,000-$80,000 and is bonus eligible

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)
This position will remain open until May 22, 2026.
About The Venue
At the University. For the City.
We are not just Jayhawk fans around here—we are fans of the city of Lawrence, and together with our members, we're doing big things to connect with and uplift the local community we call home. Opening in 2026, the Naismith Club at the University of Kansas will bring the best and brightest of university alumni and Lawrence community leaders together to connect. The Naismith Club will be a members-only social club offering year-round access to dining, meetings, and curated experiences inside one of the most iconic venues in college sports. This is not a game-day club. It is a place to gather, work, host, and connect — all year long.

Responsibilities
Sales & Membership Growth

• Drive new membership acquisition through proactive prospecting, strategic outreach, and relationship-driven sales execution.
• Build and maintain a consistent pipeline of qualified leads through networking, referrals, and KU Athletics engagement.
• Conduct membership tours, follow-ups, presentations, and proposal delivery with a polished, high-touch approach.
• Develop and execute targeted outreach strategies to key segments including alumni, donors, business leaders, young professionals, and campus leadership.

Marketing & Brand Activation

• Partner with the marketing team to execute membership campaigns, social media lead generation efforts, and local awareness initiatives.
• Support the development of compelling membership collateral, digital marketing content, and community-facing messaging.
• Represent the Club at high-visibility KU Athletics events and community functions to build brand awareness and generate leads.

Community Partnerships & KU Athletics Alignment

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with local businesses, alumni groups, corporate networks, university stakeholders, and community organizations to drive membership referrals and increase visibility.
• Serve as a key relationship manager for KU Athletics stakeholders to ensure strong collaboration, alignment, and shared activation opportunities.
• Identify and execute partnership opportunities that enhance member value while expanding the Club's reach in the community.
• Create referral pipelines through KU Athletics, donor networks, and community partners.

Retention & Member Experience Support

• Collaborate with Member Experience, Food & Beverage, and Events teams to ensure the membership value proposition is consistently delivered.
• Support retention initiatives by staying connected with members, tracking engagement patterns, and helping proactively address dissatisfaction.
• Ensure a seamless onboarding experience by supporting New Member Orientations and introducing members to key Club offerings, staff, and community programming.
• Strengthen member connection by facilitating introductions between members and encouraging participation in events and dining experiences.

Financial & Operational Accountability

• Maintain accurate membership reporting, forecasting, and pipeline tracking to support revenue planning.
• Manage membership-related expenses and contra budgets responsibly while maximizing ROI on sales and marketing initiatives.
• Track progress against revenue goals and proactively adjust strategy to ensure annual membership targets are achieved.

Qualifications

• 4-year college degree preferred
• 3-5 years of related experience in sales preferably fundraising/hospitality/service industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Undergraduate degree in business, marketing, public relations, communications or Hotel and Restaurant Management preferred.
• Strong sales skills required
• Knowledge of golf preferred
• Sales training preferred
• Proficient in computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and CRM
• Solid time management, organization, and prioritization skills; ability to work independently
• Excellent customer service orientation and focus on customer satisfaction required
• Strong leadership and people skills, plus the ability to build and foster a team environment

Physical Requirements
Standing, walking, exposure to temperature changes, dust, fumes, or gases, climbing/ladders, squatting/kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, twisting/bending, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling up to 100 lbs. on occasion, folding/unfolding, talking, hearing, and seeing.

Primary Tools/equipment Used In This Position And Approximate Weight

• Computer

Attendance Requirements For This Position
Attendance Requirements for this position as outlined on the weekly schedule. Additional hours are required to meet deadlines for the position, including weekends and/or holidays.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference
At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our
people
, improves our
service
, and raises our
excellence
. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.