CATERING EVENT SALES MANAGER

Job Summary

To complement our commitment to excellence and a passion for hospitality, we are looking for a dynamic Catering Event Sales Manager to join our team and contribute to our continued success. If you are a results-driven, customer-focused individual with a strong background in sales, we want to hear from you! The Catering Event Sales Manager is responsible for effectively guiding customers through event experiences, identifying solutions that meet their goals and objectives, resulting in a compelling event experience.

This is an On-Site role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct site visits, pre-conference planning meetings, and appropriate venue meetings.
• Understand event cost structure and incorporates this into solution designs according to established profitability guidelines.
• Lead sales marketing and lead generation activities to support the achievement of revenue goals.
• Develop campaigns to qualify leads.
• Create and enhance lead generation emails and templates to use in developing sales meeting appointments.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop marketing collateral and materials that align with the key messaging and branding of The Conference Board.
• Lead sponsorship sales marketing activities including collateral, web pages, and other materials.
• Create and propose menus, schedule tastings, and coordinate with the culinary department to ensure proper menu selection.
• Conduct vendor production walk-throughs, conference calls, and meetings related to event planning.
• Produce clear Banquet Event Orders, design floor plans, and manage equipment inventory for events.
• Communicate all pertinent event information to each department, ensuring a seamless planning process.
• Hires, trains and develops managers, and is actively involved in the development of service techniques, menu presentation, policies and procedures
• Creates reports of operating statements and operational budgets, and reviews the collection of receivables
• Prepares and monitors budgets; financial targets and forecasts
• Maintains local clients database and builds and maintains relationship with new vendors
• Ensures all safety and sanitation procedures are followed in compliance with HACCP
• Performs related duties and special projects as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years in Event Sales and/or Conference Catering Sales
• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Hospitality) * Excellent verbal and written communication skills (to sell the experience, you have to be able to communicate it-effectively).
• Proven track record for meeting sales goals
• Strong knowledge of current food, industry trends and fine dining points of service
• Ability to work independently, make proactive decisions, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with Delphi and Meeting Matrix is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to write menu proposals in consultation with chefs
• Knowledge of event set-up styles, audio-visual equipment, and property layouts.
• Ability to handle customer interactions with patience, tact, and diplomacy.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Positive attitude towards service, teamwork, and going above and beyond.
• Proactive mindset and able to remain calm under pressure to anticipate and support changes in our business.
• Conformity to the highest standards of personal integrity and ethical behavior
• Exceptional client relations and customer service abilities