Executive Meetings Manager

Compensation Type

Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition.  Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Location

Discover more sun and more fun! Escape to a tropical beachfront paradise complete with everything you need for the perfect getaway, including delicious dining, beachfront bars, relaxing comforts, and endless activities. Here you’ll stay at one, play at two — with two connecting resorts right on the soft white sands of St. Pete Beach. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a romantic retreat, a group getaway, or anything in between, it’s all here at TradeWinds Island Resorts. https://www.tradewindsresort.com/careers

Overview

Follow your passion all the way to paradise at TradeWinds Resort, a Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace for seven years in a row! TradeWinds features two destination resorts just 200 flip flops from one another along the gorgeous Gulf Coast on St. Pete Beach.

The Executive Meetings Manager is responsible for effectively soliciting and becoming familiar with all accounts in his/her market segments. He/she is also responsible for prospecting, closing, and servicing on all business with 39 rooms on peak or less to positively impact hotel revenues.

Responsibilities

• Attend daily Highgate Hotel Business Review (HHBR) meeting.
• Develop a full working knowledge of the operations of the hotel, including Food and Beverage, Guest Services and Reservations.
• Develop a complete knowledge of company sales policies and SOP’s and ensure knowledge of and adherence to those policies by the sales team.
• Meet or exceed established goals.
• Initiate and follow up on leads in a timely manner.
• Maintain and participate in an active sales solicitation program.
• Monitor production of all top accounts and evaluate trends within your market.
• Regularly contact existing accounts based on the tracing frequencies of the Account Coverage Program.
• Meet or exceed sales solicitation call goals as assigned by the Director of Sales.
• Invite clients to the hotel for entertainment, lunches, tours, and site inspections.
• Assist in implementing special promotions relating to direct sales segments, i.e. parties, sales blitzes, etc.
• Assist in the preparation of required reports in a timely manner.
• Be familiar with all Highgate Hotel sales policies and selling techniques with an emphasis on maximizing occupancy and Average Daily Rate (ADR).
• Conduct a professional, thorough site inspection of the hotel with clients, exhibiting key features and benefits of the property.
• Use your property’s computerized sales management system to manage the hotel’s business, including (but not limited to) generating reports, entering business, blocking space and building accounts.
• Meet and greet onsite contacts.
• Abide by Prime Selling Time (PST).
• Develop networking opportunities through active participation in community and professional associations, activities, and events.
• Review meeting planner evaluations with the Director of Sales to ensure that issues receive follow-up.
• Entertain clients.
• Execution of all aspects of event planning including coordination from function space set-ups and food and beverage coordination via banquet event orders using catering software (Versa)
• Monitor group room blocks, pick up, and billing processes.
• Generate detailed resumes for the operating departments.
• Assist with VIP services, amenities, and can work with third-party vendors to ensure client satisfaction.
• Professionally represent the department and the hotel by participating in pre and post-convention meetings with clients and employee-partners
• Excellent interpersonal skills both in person and by phone with a high level of professionalism, and maintain client communications through phone calls, emails, letters, and personal meetings with all level of employees and guests.
• Highly enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Attend the weekly banquet event order and resume meetings.
• Coordinate, with the assistance of the Director of Catering/Convention Services, banquet menu pricing, and revenue minimums.
• Achieve budgeted revenue and sales goals on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Experience in a hotel or a related field preferred.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be skilled in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Working hours may include evenings, weekends, and holidays as business dictates.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Qualifications

• Computer Skills (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Professional Demeanor
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, manage time and work well under pressure
• High School Diploma (or equivalent) - College Degree Preferred
• At least 1-2 Years of Sales Experience (preferably in hospitality)
• Superior Negotiation Skills - Proven ability to close deals
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have the ability to call on potential and current clients
• Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times
• Hospitality is a 24/7 industry therefore, candidates should anticipate working weekends and holidays as needed.
• Sales Skills – Possesses strong ability to influence and/or persuade buying decisions and to close sales or gain commitment from others; creates good rapport and exhibits the ability to grow and maintain key partnerships.
• Communication – Has both verbal and written skills, in order to effectively execute meetings and events this includes keeping the appropriate departments informed with BEO’s and other necessary information; actively listens to extract essential information in order to maximize revenue and execute successful meetings and events.
• Organizational Skills - Ability to determine priority tasks and maintain strong attention to detail.