Catering Conference Services Sales Manager

Job Description

Essential Duties & Functions:

• Solicit new and existing accounts to meet/exceed revenue goals through telephone solicitation, outside sales calls, site inspections and written communication
• Prepare correspondence to customers, internal booking reports and file maintenance.
• Participation in daily sales meeting, pre-convention meetings, training and other sales related meetings as required.
• Work with other departments within hotel to provide quality service to customers.
• Attend trade shows, community events and industry meetings
• Develop/maintain knowledge of market trends, competition and customers.
• Professionally represent the hotel in community and industry organizations and events.
• Participate as team player with all departments.
• Assist with reports and/or competition data collection.
• Maintain strong client relations and ensure that convention specifications are communicated and executed for a successful meeting experience for the meeting planner and attendees.
• Monitor and manage room blocks according to contract utilizing group history reports and information given by clients to maximize hotel revenue, making adjustments as necessary.
• Review sales contracts as well as other important information, i.e. room block, cut-off date, special concessions and attrition clauses and validate with client via turnover letter
• Monitor and enforce program deadline dates and work with clients to release meeting space not needed to maximize hotel revenues.
• Produce and distribute convention resumes.
• Distribute BEOs for group and affiliates.
• Accurately forecast group rooms and good food and beverage revenues for assigned groups and affiliate business within a 5% variance.
• Check sleeping room and suite block, special room concessions and rates as outlined in contract with group reservations agents, as well as updating group reservations agents with any changes.
• Participate in site visits and plan meetings for upcoming groups and potential affiliate business.
• Verify credit information submitted in account management software system at point of turnover, to include estimated amount of billing, billing type and appropriate contract and update information as necessary until departure.
• Participate in Pre/Post-Convention meetings and review bill with client.
• Introduce and recommend house vendors as preferred vendors as determined with the revenue goal of the hotel.
• Establish checklist trace dates using appropriate computer programs.
• Attend all department and hotel meetings as necessary
• Follow the principles of CARE and the Four Disciplines of Associate Success.

Salary range $75,000 to $85,000 per year

Qualifications

• High School or equivalent education required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to negotiate, convince, sell, and influence prospects and hotel guests.
• Advanced knowledge on the sales and hospitality principles and practices.
• Results-oriented writing techniques and strategies for correspondence, i.e. letters, reports, proposals.
• Appropriate and accurate grammar and punctuation in written communication.
• Ability to maximize impact, maintains interest, and establishes a rapport with your audience when conveying information.
• Ability to proactively prioritize needs and effectively manage time and resources.
• Understanding the positioning of the hotel, services provided, and how the hotel can meet the needs of clients.
• Two-four years of employment in the hospitality industry or related sales field.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to travel to attend workshops, tradeshows, conventions, etc.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.