Catering Sales Manager

Driftwood Hospitality Management’s company culture empowers our associates to take initiative, be proactive, and contribute to the success of their property with well-defined strategies and objectives. Driftwood Hospitality Management is renowned for our fully integrated approach to hospitality services — all with outstanding client service. Our team is made up of the best talent in the hospitality industry, down to every employee, position, and hotel.


Why Work With Us?
Competitive Benefits Package: Enjoy peace of mind with our comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, STD/LTD, and life insurance coverage for all full-time employees. Two weeks’ vacation and 401k match after one year of employment.
Travel Incentives: Take advantage of discounted room rates at all Marriott hotels internationally, as well as the Driftwood Hospitality portfolio.
JOB SUMMARY
Prepares all event documentation and coordinates with group sales and/or catering sales, hotel departments, and customer to ensure consistent, high-level service throughout pre-event, event, and post event phases of hotel events. Ensures all hotel events have a seamless turnover from sales to service back to sales. Establishes opportunities to maximize revenue opportunities by upselling and offering enhancements to create outstanding events. Primarily handles events of high complexity and Key Accounts. Plan, organize, and manage the in-house details for all group and convention bookings (i.e., guest rooms, menus, set-up, etc.) Participate in negotiating meetings/functions, rooms, rates, and all related requirements. Ensure maximization of room and meeting space, revenues, and profits while delivering a quality product. Plan, organize, and manage the in-house details for all group and convention bookings (i.e., guest rooms, menus, set-up, etc.) Participate in negotiating meetings/functions, rooms, rates, and all related requirements. Ensure maximization of room and meeting space, revenues, and profits while delivering a quality product. Report and critique all activities to the Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing and Catering information to the Director of Catering. Enliven the Brand Standards within the Department and the hotel. Support all Corporate and hotel initiatives as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications. The job description is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future. The Hotel operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so operational demands require variations in shift days, starting times, and hours worked in a week.
BUSINESS RESULTS
• Plan, upsell and detail the program with the client including verification and modification of space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc. Prepare the appropriate resumes and paperwork to ensure quality service.
• Monitor Convention Groups Room Requirements to ensure all convention attendees receive commitments made in the hotels’ agreements.
• Manage function details and related activities to ensure that program requirements are satisfied. Anticipate and handle customer complaints and/or problems to ensure quality product delivery, customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Improve hotel convention services' products through; (a) the development of new sales tools, menus, themes, and decorations, (b) the analysis of the strengths and weakness of our competitions product, and (c) analysis, understanding, and satisfaction of our customers’ needs.
• Monitor and control individual event budgets and details to maximize revenues and minimize expenses while ensuring delivery of a quality product.
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details. Follows up with customer post-event.
• Acts as liaison between hotel and customer throughout the event process (pre-event, event, post-event). Makes presence always known to customer during this process. Is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
• Oversees his/her customer experiences from file turnover through the post event phase until turnover back to sales.
• Proactively identifies operational challenges associated with his/her group and works with the hotel staff and customer to solve these challenges and/or develop alternative solutions.
• Leads pre-event and post-event meetings for assigned groups.
• Facilitates various meetings as necessary (Banquet Event Order meeting, block review, etc.).
• Manages group room blocks and meeting space for assigned groups.
• Greets customer during the event phase and hands-off to the operations team for the execu