Event Sales Manager

Description

Job Title: Event Sales Manager
Location: The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad – New York, NY
Reports To: Director of Event Sales
Department: Sales & Events
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Compensation: $75,000 per year + 1.5% Commission + Benefits

About José Andrés Group

José Andrés Group (JAG), led by Chef José Andrés, is known for creating exceptional dining experiences through culinary innovation, outstanding hospitality, and a values-driven culture.

At The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, José Andrés Group brings its distinctive culinary and hospitality approach to a luxury hotel environment, creating memorable experiences for private celebrations, corporate gatherings, social events, and special occasions.

Our Events team works closely with Culinary, Restaurant Operations, Banquets, and hotel partners to deliver highly personalized experiences with exceptional attention to detail.

Position Summary

The Event Sales Manager is responsible for driving event revenue and managing the complete sales and planning process for private dining, social celebrations, corporate events, and other special occasions at JAG at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad.

This position owns the client relationship from initial inquiry and prospecting through contracting, planning, execution, and post-event follow-up. The Event Sales Manager is expected to both maximize inbound opportunities and proactively develop new business through strong relationships with corporate clients, event planners, executive assistants, luxury travel and hospitality partners, and the broader New York City events community.

The ideal candidate is a polished, results-driven hospitality sales professional who combines strong sales instincts with exceptional attention to detail and a genuine passion for creating memorable experiences. They are equally comfortable prospecting for new business, conducting a site tour, negotiating a contract, building a BEO, working with VIP clients, and partnering with Culinary and Operations to execute a flawless event.

Key Responsibilities

Event Sales & Revenue Generation

• Drive event, private dining, and group revenue through proactive sales and effective management of inbound opportunities.
• Own assigned leads from initial inquiry through contracting and event execution.
• Respond to qualified inquiries with urgency, professionalism, and thoughtful recommendations.
• Develop customized proposals based on client goals, budgets, guest counts, and event requirements.
• Conduct compelling site tours and confidently present available spaces, menus, and experiences.
• Negotiate event terms within established pricing and business guidelines.
• Consistently work toward established individual and departmental revenue goals.
• Maximize revenue through strategic upselling of food, beverage, event enhancements, and additional experiences.
• Maintain an active and healthy sales pipeline.
• Monitor conversion, lost business, and booking trends to identify opportunities.
• Effectively balance revenue optimization with client experience and long-term relationship building.

Proactive Business Development

• Develop new business across corporate, social, luxury, and hospitality segments.
• Conduct consistent outbound prospecting through calls, email, networking, referrals, and relationship building.
• Build relationships with corporate decision-makers, executive assistants, meeting planners, event agencies, DMCs, wedding and social planners, and other key partners.
• Develop relationships within the New York City hospitality and events community.
• Generate repeat and referral business from previous clients.
• Identify lapsed accounts and opportunities to re-engage previous clients.
• Attend networking events, showcases, tastings, industry functions, and sales appointments.
• Represent José Andrés Group professionally at external sales and community events.
• Maintain awareness of NYC event trends, competitive venues, and market opportunities.
• Partner with Sales Leadership on strategic prospecting and account-development initiatives.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients throughout the sales and planning process.
• Build trusted relationships through highly responsive, personalized, and professional communication.
• Understand each client's vision, priorities, budget, and expectations.
• Provide expert recommendations regarding event spaces, menus, beverages, timelines, and guest flow.
• Maintain discretion and professionalism when working with VIP, celebrity, corporate, social, and high-profile clientele.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively address potential challenges.
• Manage expectations clearly while maintaining a hospitality-first approach.
• Conduct timely post-event follow-up and actively pursue repeat and referral business.
• Develop long-term client relationships rather than focusing solely on individual transactions.

Event Planning & Coordination

• Manage the planning process for assigned events from contract through execution.
• Coordinate menus, beverage selections, guest counts, timelines, floor plans, audiovisual requirements, rentals, entertainment, and special requests.
• Prepare and maintain accurate proposals, contracts, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), and event documentation.
• Manage deposits, payment schedules, guarantees, F&B minimums, and contractual deadlines.
• Conduct final-detail meetings and tastings as appropriate.
• Ensure allergies, dietary restrictions, VIP information, and special requests are documented and communicated accurately.
• Maintain complete and accurate event files.
• Manage last-minute changes calmly and effectively.
• Ensure a seamless transition from sales and planning to onsite execution.

Site Visits, Tastings & Presentations

• Conduct polished and engaging site tours for prospective clients and event planners.
• Tailor presentations based on each client's event vision and business needs.
• Coordinate and participate in client tastings.
• Prepare customized presentations, menus, proposals, and event recommendations.
• Ensure event spaces and sales materials are presentation-ready before client visits.
• Follow up promptly after tours, tastings, and client meetings.
• Use site visits and tastings strategically to advance opportunities toward confirmation.

Event Execution

• Partner closely with Culinary, Restaurant Operations, and Banquet teams to ensure events are executed according to contracted details.
• Attend and oversee key events based on client needs and business requirements.
• Welcome clients and ensure event spaces are prepared according to agreed specifications.
• Maintain communication with Operations throughout event execution.
• Respond quickly and professionally to client requests or concerns.
• Protect the client relationship while collaborating with Operations on practical solutions.
• Ensure the final event experience reflects both JAG hospitality standards and the expectations of a luxury hotel environment.

Luxury Hospitality & VIP Experience

• Understand and consistently deliver against the expectations of luxury hospitality clients.
• Provide personalized, thoughtful service throughout the sales and planning journey.
• Manage high-profile and VIP clients with professionalism, discretion, and confidence.
• Anticipate preferences and opportunities to personalize events.
• Collaborate with hotel and JAG teams on VIP recognition and special arrangements.
• Maintain exceptional attention to detail across every client touchpoint.
• Serve as a polished ambassador for José Andrés Group and the property.

CRM, Pipeline & Sales Administration

• Maintain complete and accurate information within TripleSeat and other designated CRM/event management systems.
• Maintain detailed client notes, event information, follow-up activities, and sales stages.
• Track proposals, contracts, deposits, guarantees, and payment deadlines.
• Maintain an accurate pipeline and provide reliable revenue forecasts.
• Review sales activity and pipeline regularly with the Director of Event Sales.
• Maintain accurate event calendars and documentation.
• Track individual sales activity, conversion, and revenue performance.
• Participate in weekly sales meetings, BEO meetings, and forecasting discussions.
• Ensure all contracts and event documentation comply with established JAG policies and procedures.

Hotel & Operational Partnership

• Build strong working relationships with The Ritz-Carlton hotel Sales, Catering, Banquets, Concierge, Front Office, and other property partners.
• Partner closely with JAG Culinary, Restaurant Operations, Beverage, and Events teams.
• Maintain clear and timely communication between Sales and Operations.
• Participate in BEO and operational meetings to ensure alignment on upcoming events.
• Communicate changes to menus, timelines, guest counts, and special requests promptly.
• Collaborate with hotel sales partners on shared opportunities and client relationships as appropriate.
• Work cross-functionally to resolve operational challenges while protecting the client experience.
• Serve as a reliable and collaborative partner throughout the property.

Leadership & Team Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Director of Event Sales on department goals, strategy, and priorities.
• Work collaboratively with fellow Event Sales Managers and Coordinators.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Event Sales Coordinators as appropriate.
• Delegate administrative and event-support responsibilities effectively while maintaining ownership of assigned business.
• Share market intelligence, leads, client feedback, and sales opportunities with the team.
• Support department initiatives during high-volume periods.
• Contribute to a positive, accountable, collaborative, and sales-driven team culture.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• 3–5+ years of event sales, catering sales, private dining, luxury hotel, restaurant sales, or comparable hospitality sales experience.
• Proven track record of achieving sales and revenue goals.
• Luxury hotel, fine dining, high-end catering, or upscale events experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the New York City corporate, social, and events market preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to generate new business through proactive prospecting and relationship development.
• Experience managing the full event sales cycle from initial inquiry through execution.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing deposits, F&B minimums, guarantees, service charges, and cancellation terms.
• Strong knowledge of BEOs and event planning processes.
• Experience managing high-profile, VIP, corporate, and social clientele preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Polished, confident, and engaging presentation style.
• Strong sales instincts and ability to confidently close business.
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, events, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to remain composed and professional in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.
• Experience with TripleSeat or comparable CRM/event management software strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.
• Strong food and beverage knowledge preferred.
• Positive, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented approach.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
• Flexible availability to attend events, site visits, networking opportunities, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured through a combination of sales, client, and operational metrics, including:

• Individual event sales revenue
• Achievement of established sales goals
• Lead-to-booking conversion
• Proactive sales and new-business generation
• Pipeline growth and quality
• Average event revenue and upselling performance
• Repeat and referral business
• Client retention and relationship development
• Timeliness of inquiry and client follow-up
• Forecast accuracy
• Accuracy of contracts, BEOs, and event documentation
• Client satisfaction and event feedback
• Effective collaboration with JAG and Ritz-Carlton operational partners

In Return, We Offer You

• Competitive base salary
• Commission and/or performance-based bonus eligibility
• Comprehensive health & wellness benefits
• Retirement savings opportunities
• Paid time off
• Employee dining and partner discounts
• Sales, events, and luxury hospitality training
• Professional development and mentorship
• Career advancement opportunities throughout José Andrés Group
• The opportunity to build relationships within the New York City luxury events market
• Experience selling and executing high-profile events within a luxury hotel environment
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced Sales, Culinary, Operations, and hotel teams

Equal Opportunity Employer

José Andrés Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the federal E-Verify Program.