Catering Sales & Conference Services Manager (Finance)

Job Description Summary

The Catering Sales & Conference Services Manager is responsible for soliciting new catering accounts, maintaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and/or exceed food and beverage revenue goals. Coordinates and oversees Banquet and Catering functions to ensure customer satisfaction. The Catering Sales & Conference Services Manager synchronizes the needs of the group contact planning the event and the staff of the hotel to effectively execute the event function.

Job Description

• Key Job Functions
  • Generate revenue by generating leads and converting them to sales with a heavy concentration in the wedding, corporate, local and social markets.
  • Responsible for contracting and closing wedding, corporate, local and social catering business.
  • Develop, actively solicit, and map group business accounts per defined territory.
  • Assist with selling and implementing catering promotions and maximizing revenue by conducting meetings creating and developing menus for the wedding and corporate markets.
  • Offer personalized solutions for our clients and enhance our reputation and business by working with our Banquet Operations Team to ensure we exceed our clientele's expectations.
  • Close on inbound leads and site visits.
  • Solicit new and existing accounts to meet/exceed revenue goals through the successful execution of closing on business leads received directly by phone to the company, telephone solicitation, outside sales calls, site inspections and written communication.
  • Prepare correspondence to customers, internal booking reports, perform file maintenance, enter rooming lists and coordinate with the Front Desk to ensure reservation accuracy prior to group arrivals.
  • Participate in daily business review and/or leads review, pre-convention meetings, training and other catering sales related meetings as required.
  • Work with other departments within the hotel to provide quality service to customers.
  • Produce and distribute convention resume according to departmental standards prior to the first day of main group arrival and communicate any changes and updated information to hotel departments.
  • Distribute BEOs for group and affiliates 10 - 14 days prior to events, and/or according to departmental standards.
  • Serve on-site group and catering clients and respond to questions about the event including, but not limited to, group room blocks, food and beverage, the function space, ancillary and vendor services, affiliates/exhibitors and related billing processes
  • Monitor and assess service and satisfaction trends, evaluate and address issues and make improvements accordingly
  • Accurately forecast group rooms and group food and beverage revenues for assigned groups and affiliate business within a 5% variance. Upsell all bookings to a goal of 20% per group assigned. Drive Banquet and Catering Revenues to achieve departmental goals.
  • Attend community/social events and industry meetings.
  • Develop/maintain knowledge of market trends, competition and customers.

• Deliver Passionate & Engaging Service to our Guests
  • You will be passionate and truly engaged in taking care of our guests, recognizing individual guests and anticipating their unique needs in order to exceed their expectations
  • You will consistently deliver our GUEST model:
    • Greet or welcome everyone, warmly with a smile
    • Use eye and ear contact and guest's name
    • Establish/anticipate needs
    • Solve and own all requests/complaints
    • Thank everyone
• Build solid relationship with your Colleagues
  • Treat colleagues with respect and dignity
  • Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The employee is expected to work in other areas of the hotel when needed to assist operations to perform job duties not necessarily contained in this job description.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field preferred.
• 2-4 years' experience in catering sales, conference services, or hotel event management.
• Experience with Delphi, Opera, or comparable sales/event systems is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and deliver revenue growth through upselling and service.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., stand/walk for long periods during event oversight.
• Food Handler's Permit and Alcohol Awareness Certification (as required by local law).
• Valid driver's license may be required.

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.