Catering/Event Sales Manager (Citizens Market Manhattan West)

The Catering & Event Sales Manager assists the Director of Operations with the development and management of sales programs and operational processes for all events at Citizens Market Manhattan West, Casa Dani and Katsuya Restaurants. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing all functions within the events department, focusing specifically on soliciting business in the corporate and social markets to increase and maximize revenue, as well as detailing and managing events. This individual will have established contacts in the corporate and social markets while building a solid book of business.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Research, analyze, and develop special event profit generating opportunities
• Proactively solicit new business by, among other things, making daily cold calls, in person sales drops, attending trade shows, and engaging in other client prospecting in order to increase the size of the organization’s client database
• Responding to all catering inquiries in a timely manner
• Create leads and develop long-term relationships in the event planning, production, and promotion communities, and with other relevant companies, organizations, and groups
• Creatively find ways to stay within the designated budget per event, while meeting stakeholders needs
• Qualify leads, draft proposals and contracts using the Triple Seat event management platform
• Ensure billing accuracy and conduct bill reviewed with the client prior to processing final invoice
• Develop meet and exceed monthly and annual sales budgets and annual plan
• Manage and direct all organization-related event logistics, including BEO meetings, managing events calendar, long term planning, conducting walk through’s and site visits, and being the primary contact during event set up and break down
• Monitor changes and new developments in the special events industry
• Identify potential risks or challenges associated with the event and develop contingency plans to mitigate them. This involves developing emergency plans and anticipating any possible scenarios that would impact the events success
• Monitors the effective resolution of guests issues that arise through the event execution process, by creating mechanisms to channel issues to property leadership and or other stakeholders with appropriate follow up with outcome resolution
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to liaise with clients, vendors and team members
• Work closely with the Food & Beverage team to continuously innovate event offerings
• Work closely with broader Citizens Market Manhattan West, Casa Dani and Katsuya Restaurants teams, internal & external catering providers and vendors to plan and execute Client events
• Ensure all out sourced equipment id inventoried prior to the event and to ensure all equipment is returned as delivered
• Prepare and provide required documents and reports for the Director of Operations, revenue reports, prospect/tentative/turndown reports, and sales recaps
• Obtain feedback from clients following each special event to determine and analyze client satisfaction, organizational performance, and event-related risks and liabilities
• Other assigned duties, projects, and responsibilities as defined by the business environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty above at the highest levels. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Three to five years of related experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience and/or training
• Resourceful, innovative and forward thinking, with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Expertise in financial analysis and planning, budgeting, and marketing
• Working knowledge of local and regional markets, venue operations, and special events industries
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to effectively evaluate risks and liabilities of special events and stadium rentals
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in spreadsheet, database, CRM and word processing programs
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays as necessary
• Excellent customer service
• Can be trusted to act in a manner that is truthful and values direct, honest communication at all levels of the organization
• Strong interpersonal skills; can effectively communicate and relate to all levels within and outside the organization; creates and builds positive and productive relationships
• Responds quickly and effectively to changing trends