Event Sales Associate

Position Title: Events Sales Associate A4

Reports to: Sr. Sales Manager

Location: Portland, OR

Starting Salary:$57,000 to $63,500 Starting salary will be based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The starting salary will not exceed this posted range.

Posting Date: 8/11/2025

Application Deadline: 8/25/2025

Anticipated Start Date: 10/6/2025

Who we are

Ecotrust creates and accelerates triple-bottom-line innovations to benefit our region and inspire the world. On the farm, at the coast, in the forest, and across our cities, we work in partnership towards an equitable, prosperous, climate-smart future. Since 1991, we have created durable change and sparked ideas across the globe. Ecotrust holds a deep commitment to equity and diversity as core principles integral to the work we do. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we seek diverse perspectives and lived experiences that we believe foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity. Learn more at Ecotrust.org.

***Learn more about this position by attending an Information Session on 08/12/25. Scroll to bottom of job posting for details.***

Job Summary

The Event Sales Associate works with the Ecotrust Events Sales Team to book venue rentals and coordinate venue logistics at the Natural Capital Center and the Redd on Salmon. This role, works with the Ecotrust Events department to move clients through the sales pipeline, assist with event logistics, service events on-site, support sales and marketing initiatives, and assist with administrative projects. The Event Sales Associate works alongside the Event Sales Team, to strategize and perform specific outreach to BIPOC-led organizations within the corporate and non-profit sectors. Building mindful community relationships is key in this role, as the Events Department continues to collaborate with community partners to maximize mission-related events, and adapt with the needs of the community, while staying profit-driven.

Who you are

You’re a people-oriented, details-driven professional with 2+ years of experience in events or catering. You’re comfortable giving tours, communicating with clients by phone and email, and using a CRM to keep event details organized. You enjoy both the behind-the-scenes planning and the hands-on work that makes events run smoothly. You manage multiple timelines with ease, stay calm under pressure, and work well on a team. You’re physically able to support event setup, open to feedback, and committed to equity, hospitality and creating meaningful event experiences.

Primary Responsibilities

• Execution of sales and coordination, from initial inquiries through day-of venue coordination for the nonprofit, corporate, and social sectors.
• Provide professional and informative tours for prospective clients, while representing Ecotrust’s core values.
• Effectively communicate through email and phone correspondence relating to sales, policies, bookings, and procedures.
• Share active contributions within a high-functioning team; humble, collaborative, supportive, appreciative, and reliant on team members.
• Show attention to detail in executing and documenting administrative duties: Database entry in CRM, processing contracts, account receivables, and file management.
• Prioritize and manage workflow while juggling multiple clients, projects, and timelines
• Collaborate and work closely with the Sales Team on targeted outreach, social media, and marketing campaigns

Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the organization or employee.

Key Competencies and Transferable Skills

We’re seeking candidates who embody the following core competencies and transferable skills, which are essential to thriving in our organization and contributing to a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.

Transferable skills may be gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for positions where they do not meet 100% of the listed skills and qualifications. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements described, if you believe you are a good fit for the position, we encourage you to apply. A candidate will be assessed on their ability to successfully fulfill or quickly learn these functions.

Technical Competencies

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in event coordination and/or event catering required
• Ability to Travel between the Ecotrust Building (Pearl District) and the Redd on Salmon (Central Eastside District)
• The ability to lift 50 pounds, walking up and down at least three flights of stairs, and/or being on your feet for extended periods of time
• Willingness to provide basic janitorial support/event cleanup during onsite event shifts
• Ability to work nights, weekends and early mornings for event shifts a few times a year depending on event schedule coverage needed
• Comfortable working outdoor events during warmer months, with exposure to sun and heat at our Rooftop and Plaza venues
• Experience working in nonprofit, community-centered, or BIPOC-led organizations (volunteer work acceptable)
• As this position is often public-facing, the role requires professional attire.
• Digital Proficiency - Ability to learn, navigate, and use digital and tech tools to perform the work
• • Comfort using CRM software (e.g. Tripleseat)
  • Attention to detail in logistics and administration
• Implementation and Logistics - Experience Coordinating multiple partners, vendors, and impacted parties to perform key actions that turn concepts and plans into outcomes
• • Ability to manage multiple clients/projects/timelines
• Messaging & Outreach - Ability to create, enhance, and inform communications and outreach materials to transmit tailored, compelling messages to impacted parties
• • Clear and professional written/verbal communication
  • Willingness to support outreach and marketing efforts
• Planning - Identifies strategies, tactics and priorities that balance short-term needs with long-range goals. Organize actions, plans and resources

Justice Competencies

• Trauma Informed - Displays openness and caring and creates an approachable environment through words or body language. Recognizes and reflects on the different ways trauma impacts people and appears before responding
• Learning from Mistakes - Acknowledges when individual actions cause harm to others and takes responsibility to repair relationships. Self-soothes before engaging in relationship repair work and respects the needs of colleagues, partners, and impacted parties to self-soothe and seek support prior to moving forward
• Cultural Humility - Shows interest in, actively listens to, and seeks to understand new points of view, experiences, and ideas. Is aware of one’s own biases and takes responsibility for continuously gaining awareness of how one’s own culture and experiences influence interactions with colleagues, partners, and impacted parties
• Empathy in Action - Responds to an individual’s experience, feelings and needs in an empathic, caring, and active way utilizing emotional communication, sensitivity, insight, and self-regulation. Generously shares information and seeks to meet the communication and support preferences of colleagues, partners, and impacted parties

Relationship Competencies

• Collaboration - Contributes to inclusive spaces through supportive, aware communication, actively addressing aggressions and other exclusionary behaviors. Provides and shares space so that marginalized voices are centered
• Patience - Listens attentively to colleagues, partners, and impacted parties and takes the time to understand the experiences of others and impact of the work on others. Retains, reflects, and applies what is learned in the future
• Transparency - Presents information accurately, completely, and with consideration for how colleagues, partners, and impacted parties best receive information. Applies cultural humility and empathy to understand how information is received
• Hospitality - Understands and anticipates the unique needs of colleagues, partners, and impacted parties. Prioritizes planning for the comfort of those who have experienced bias, discrimination, and harassment, especially related to identities of race, ethnicity, gender, and ability
• Relationship Management - Builds and expands networks by proactively reaching out and involving colleagues, partners, and impacted parties. Leverages partnerships with colleagues and partners to effectively reach goals

Other Useful Qualifications

The items listed below represent qualifications that are desirable in a candidate, but are not required. Some of these may be gained through professional development and coaching once on board.

• Background in hospitality sales
• Prior use of Tripleseat CRM
• Experience conducting venue tours or sales presentations
• Experience in venue-based event management, not just catering
• Social media or marketing campaign experience
• Basic familiarity with green event practices or sustainability efforts
• Experience in diverse team environments with multiple stakeholders
• Familiarity with Portland-area events or community organizations

Additional Information

This is a full time non-exempt position.

Please be aware that applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

We believe great benefits make work better: Ecotrust offers equity-centered benefits that strive to recognize employees as whole people and prioritize their overall wellbeing. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contributions scaled to income, tax-deferred and Roth retirement plans with employer base contributions, term life insurance, and disability coverage. Ecotrust invests in employees' professional development and personal growth. We also offer plentiful paid time off, retreats, and summer fun days.

Working conditions (frequency varies seasonally):

• Travel between the Ecotrust Building (Pearl District) and the Redd on Salmon (Central Eastside District).
• Physical demands include the ability to lift 50 pounds, walking up and down at least three flights of stairs, and/or being on your feet for extended periods of time.
• Janitorial support during onsite event shifts.
• Occasional nights, weekends and early mornings for event shifts. (A few times a year depending on event schedule coverage needed)
• Assistance with set/break of venue furniture when needed
• Outdoor events during warmer months, with exposure to sun and heat at our Rooftop and Plaza venues.

Ecotrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a diverse staff of qualified, highly-skilled, and creative individuals is necessary to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. Individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other People of Color, people who are queer, trans, non-binary, people with disabilities, people who are immigrants, veterans, people from poor and working class backgrounds, and people who are/have been system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to learn more about equity at Ecotrust.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to jslavik@ecotrust.org in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply: Apply via our careers page on Rippling Recruiting. No cover letter is required. Instead, please answer the five brief narrative questions provided in the application.

The Selection Process: In an effort to be as transparent as possible in our selection process as well as to help expedite bringing new staff on board, below is a timeline of key events:

• Review of Resumes: 8/12/25-8/28/25
• First Round Interviews: Starting 9/4/25
• Second Round Interviews: Starting 9/15/25
• Reference checks: Starting 9/17/25
• Extend offer: 9/18/25

While we will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendars for the initial screening and face-to-face interviews.

-

Learn more about this position by attending an Information Session: Ecotrust is hosting an informational webinar about this position. You can call in to listen and ask questions.

• Date: August 12th, 2025 @ 11:00 am (PST)
• Click this link to join by computer audio/video: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81605682362
• Webinar ID: 81605682362
• Dial this number to join by phone and enter the meeting ID: 1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose); 81605682362

We will record the session and post the recording to the job posting shortly afterwards.

To mitigate privileged access to information about the position, our policy is that hiring team members may not meet with candidates who are considering applying for that role. Instead, we offer the information session as a way to equalize access to information about the role for all candidates.