Event Sales Manager

Compensation Type

Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.

With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. www.highgate.com

Overview

The Event Sales Manager will be responsible for the management of all aspects and functions of the Convention Services Department in accordance with Hotel standards. Coordinates arrangements and details for clients' functions. Directs, implements and maintains a management philosophy that serves as a guide to Convention Services staff.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the planning and execution of flawless catering and convention events while building, maintaining, and growing relationships with customers and accounts to meet and/or exceed food and beverage revenue goals.
• Oversee client functions to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Manage, coordinate and execute group assignments turned over by the Sales Department.
• Monitor all contractual agreements pertaining to meeting space, food and beverage and special concession.
• Responsible for maximizing food and beverage revenues through upselling.
• Effectively communicate to all hotel departments the information necessary to successfully execute the group’s needs while maintaining a good client relationship.
• Maintain strong client relations and ensure that event specifications are communicated and executed for a successful meeting experience for the meeting planner and attendees.
• Review sales contract as well as other important information, i.e., room block, cut-off date, special concessions and attrition clauses
• Monitor and enforce program deadline dates and work with client to release meeting space not needed to maximize hotel revenues.
• Produce and distribute banquet event orders, diagrams an event resumes.
• Effectively communicate any changes to resort departments.
• Accurately forecast group food and beverage revenues for assigned groups and affiliate business within a 5% variance.
• Partner with Group Reservations Coordinator to assure suite blocks, special room concessions, special rates, etc. are implemented per the sales agreement.
• Participate in site visits and planning meetings for upcoming groups.
• Verify deposit due dates and billing at point of turnover, to include following up on status and payment of deposits, billing type and appropriate contact updating information as necessary until departure.
• Participate in Pre/Post-Convention meetings and review bill with client.
• Other duties as required/assigned

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred.
• At least 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in a hotel or related field preferred.
• College course work in related field helpful.
• Strong computer knowledge/skills required.
• Schedule flexibility required with some long hours possible.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees, guests and vendors in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which includes wearing the proper uniform and nametag.