Conference Services Manager

Overview:

The Catering Sales Manager markets the Hotel’s services locally and nationally; to build guest relationships and business opportunities for the Hotel by interacting with current, future, and prospective guests; to develop a network of guest opportunities for future Hotel business and to interact with prospective clients to negotiate contracts for Corporate bookings in coordination with Sales, Conference Services, and Reservation Sales Departments; to maximize revenues for the Hotel; to maintain positive interdepartmental communications; and to effectively control and minimize all marketing expenses while exceeding overall budgeted revenues.


Responsibilities:

Plan and maintain regular communications with, and actively solicit additional business from Hotel’s Corporate key accounts

Communicate and/or meet with parties interested in the Hotel’s services and assess the parties’ needs and whether the requested services would be a profitable or best use of the Hotel’s function space consistent with client’s needs and budgets

Prepare event proposals with various options available for Hotel services and products (events, F&B, pricing, dates, locations) that are consistent with the goal of high guest satisfaction and with other Hotel bookings and profitability standards

Negotiate, prepare, and review terms of contracts for Hotel services in compliance with Hotel billing and rate guidelines and under supervision of Director of Catering

Meet or exceed targets for prospecting of sales opportunities and targets for revenue streams, as determined by Hotel management

Execute and manage internal processes necessary to reserve and confirm the negotiated contract services, including blocking meeting space and catering requirements

Promote high visibility of Hotel through active involvement in industry associations and trade shows

Support and promote all Corporate programs to increase customer awareness of Omni Hotels and ensure that the customer receives the appropriate benefits of each program

Maintain high quality guest offerings and contribute to the protection and cleanliness of the owner's physical assets

Maintain a record of prompt and regular attendance at assigned work location and for work assignments, as scheduled by Hotel managers

Interact and communicate positively and professionally with guests, prospective guests, key accounts, coworkers, and visitors to Hotel

Use computer and electronic devices and related software properly and effectively to communicate, including email, and to prepare reports and analyses of sales activity

Plan, prioritize, and implement sales strategies and sales plans, to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and to work in a fast-paced environment

Complete assigned tasks and projects in a timely manner and as directed by Hotel management


Contribute to and support the maintenance of a safe working environment protections for guests and coworkers, and perform all work in compliance with Hotel safety standards and all legal requirements

Comply with Hotel and Corporate policies and procedures and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements

Attend and contribute to regular meetings of sales team and Hotel leadership, including daily meetings or interactions with Director of Catering regarding business forecasts and future availability of Hotel function space


Qualifications:

Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.

Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process.

Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.

Excellent interpersonal and sales related experience.

Exceptional organizational and supervisory skills.

Knowledge of food and beverage menus, food preparation and presentation.

Ability to act independently with minimal or no supervision.

Ability to communicate customer needs and resolve complaints independently.

Sales ability and skill in both oral and written form.

Must possess basic computational ability.

Must possess computer skills, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel and Delphi.

Ability to establish and master goals.

College or equivalent education required.  Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Experience:

Past catering/conference service/sales experience preferred.


CMP Certification Preferred