The Event Sales Manager is responsible for driving event and group business for the hotel by soliciting, negotiating and booking new and repeat clients through networking, prospecting and outside sales calls. The role involves guiding guests through the planning of catered functions, including menus, entertainment, decorations and contracts, while ensuring franchise and company standards are met. The manager also monitors the sales department budget and annual marketing plan, works with banquet staff on staffing and pricing, and rotates Manager on Duty shifts on weekends.

Responsibilities

Report to work in uniform presented professionally, neat, and clean
Greet all guests in a friendly, positive manner. Ask questions of guests and make personal connections to make them feel they are welcome and valued
Anticipate and meet the needs and expectations of our guests, then go one step further
Implement aggressive, on-going sales campaigns to alert potential guests of the hotel and sales capabilities
Continually explore and contact potential new sales sources according to Suburban Inns standards
Perform sales calls; Schedule calls/visits to assess on-going needs of prospective clients
Promote, advertise, and market the property (rooms/event space)
Develop group business (SMERF - Social, Military, Entertainment, Religious, Fraternal)
Build awareness in community by being involved in outside groups, civic boards, and community service organizations
Attend area wedding shows
Keep abreast of current events in the area (i.e. news outlets, google alerts, indeed) for prospective business
Respond to all leads, while preparing and presenting bids to potential clients
Attend Hilton training classes when needed as related to sales
Follow up on goals and action plans weekly to ensure hotels are building loyalty and increasing market share
Maintain current and accurate files for all sales
Compile and manage various sales and other reports detailing the operation of the department
Help guests plan special events including menus, entertainment, theme, decorations, and other aspects
Provide tours and offer suggestions in effort to sell the hotel/catering facilities for the occasion being planned
Work with the banquet cooks to determine selling prices, menus, and other details for catered events
Create and manage client banquet contracts, accept/process deposits, develop function BEO’s to include updates and changes as required by clients and arrange prompt payment for all events
Work with Banquet Manager on appropriate staffing needs based on the BEO and client needs
Inspect finished arrangements; may be present to oversee the actual greeting and serving of guests
Follow up with banquet client after each function to ensure expectations have been met and prospect future business
Handle all guest complaints according to Suburban Inns standards
Attend manager meetings to review policies and procedures, upcoming events, and continually develop sales strategies
Implement and monitor budget for the sales department, taking corrective action as necessary to help assure that financial goals are met
Implement and monitor the annual sales (marketing) plan
Follow all Suburban Inns processes
Rotate Manager on Duty shifts over the weekends for the hotel
Other duties as requested by management

Requirements

Minimum Knowledge: Requires ability to interpret / extract information and / or perform arithmetic functions. May require typing, record keeping, or word processing. Have great communication skills.
Formal Education and Job-Related Experience: This position requires a minimum formal education of a high school degree or equivalent related experience. A minimum of 6 months doing outside sales, and 1 year of hotel job-related experience; hotel sales experience preferred.
License, Registration, and/or Certification Required: Clean, valid driver’s license, reliable transportation to be used on sales calls
Work Schedule: Work regularly requires or varies between day, evening, night, holiday, and/or weekend assignments. Schedule varies according to business demands and needs.
Required Travel: Position does require travel to other Suburban Inns properties, off-site meetings or client locations, sometimes overnight.

Benefits

Hotel and restaurant discounts
Earned Paid Time Off for ALL Team Members
Insurance (health, vision, dental, life) for full time Team Members
Flexible schedules (dependent on position)
Holiday Pay
8 hours of paid volunteer time per year (must be accredited)
Advancement opportunities
100% paid maternity/paternity or adoption leave for those who qualify for FMLA
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Pine Rest (3 free counseling visits, online library, and access to legal, financial and elder care consultations)