Event Sales Manager

• Marriott Employee Discounts Worldwide
• Competitive Wage & Discretionary Bonus Program
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company-Sponsored Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• 401(K) with Discretionary Company Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program

JOB SUMMARY

• Contracting and servicing all corporate catering only events
• Service Groups with 10 or fewer guestrooms (property level decision)

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a liaison between the sales and operations departments of the hotel to ensure a successful event for the clients and all of the client’s needs are met and communicated accurately and efficiently to all departments of the hotel.
• Determine, develop and execute action plans against existing and new target accounts to achieve and exceed sales revenue expectations.
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with customers, community organizations and professional associations to maintain visibility and market share. Continually target and prospect new business through individual creativity and innovation.
• Create and implement sales strategies to maximize profits of the hotel while maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Analyze competition, market trends and customer needs to continually assess the productivity against established goals.
• Strategically evaluate and determine the revenue potential of clients compared to the established goals of the hotel to ensure profitability. Develop a sales strategy by analyzing historical, current, and future hotel/market trends to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet/exceed his/her individual sales goals.
• Maximize revenue by selling all facets of the hotel. The completion of a quarterly SMART plan will be required to assist with goal achievement
• Manage account details so all pertinent aspects of solicitation and closing are complete and documented.
• As the primary contact for customers, notify/coordinate customer specifications with other departments and quickly, efficiently respond to customer issues, comments and problems to ensure a quality experience and enhance future sales prospects.
• Plan and execute sales trips and sales calls. Travel locally to conduct outside calls, promote the hotel and review the competition reader boards to develop leads. Also, travel to attend trade shows, conferences, and industry meetings as approved.
• Interact with other managers to provide support to planning initiatives.
• Ensure records systems are maintained in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
• Work closely with each group meeting planner regarding group menu planning, agenda setting, hotel meeting services, hospitality amenities, and special VIP requests.
• Obtain all rooming lists, monitor rooming list cut-off dates, and obtain all menu details, meeting room setups, refreshment break needs, postings, and any other additional needs of the client to ensure a successful event at the property.
• Communicate and enforce contractual agreements pertaining to meeting space, food and beverage, and special concessions. The Catering Sales and Events Services Manager will be responsible for the compilation of all cancellation/attrition charges of their groups.
• Responsible for the review of all bills that are sent to the client. In reviewing bills, they should be accurate and timely in order to maximize return on business. Responsible for the follow-up to make sure any meeting reward point has been posted.
• Create detailed event orders to meet the specifications of both the client and Hotel.
• Assist in the development, design, and implementation of custom menus.
• Maintain proper documentation of events, changes, and special requests with updated Banquet Event Orders, group resumes, and rooming lists. Provide accurate and concise information to all departments.
• Communicate event details to Hotel operations staff, including food and beverage needs, audiovisual requirements, function room set-up, billing, recreation, activities, décor, and etc.
• Organize and conduct site visits, pre-planning visits, pre-con, and post-con meetings.
• Effectively up-sell products and services throughout the pre-event planning phase to maximize profitability and achieve the quarterly goals. The completion of a quarterly SMART plan will be required to assist with goal achievement and upselling.
• Assist in executing the expectations of the client as outlined in the BEO.
• Handle any challenges or concerns immediately. Function as the on-site contact to clients for all aspects of their events.
• Maintain a level of professionalism and cooperation with clients as well as co-workers.
• Generate thank you notes and service evaluations for all group clients.
• Greet all clients (in rotation with MOD and other managers for room’s only groups) as they arrive at the hotel to ensure that they have all required items.
• Participate in weekly operations meetings to communicate the upcoming group’s needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Response to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Response well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethics; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree - preferred
• Hospitality or related industry experience - required
• Previous event planning experience – required
• Valid Driver’s License – required
• Knowledgeable of Top-Accounts for the Hotel-preferred

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No direct reports

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to lift, reach with hands and arms, and stand for extended periods of time, and use fingers (keyboard, etc.) to handle or feel.