AC Cleveland Circle, a Colwen Hotels Property, is seeking a Sales & Catering Manager. This individual will be responsible for driving overall sales and marketing results across all segments, ensuring goals are achieved. To be successful in this role you will need a thorough understanding of market and industry trends, be a strategic thinker, and possess strong negotiation skills. In this role, you will be responsible for generating new business, and collaborating on strategies to increase occupancy as well as rooms and banquet revenues. The ideal candidate for this role is a highly motivated, energetic seasoned hospitality sales professional with local market experience.
Colwen Hotels is a hospitality group built on hard work, character, and authenticity. We cultivate ideas and empower individuals to bring forward- thinking concepts to life to enrich guest experiences. Staying ahead of the curve is what has made us who we are today, and we strive to keep our ideas fresh. We currently have 40 hotels in our portfolio operating across 10 states. With our continued growth and project pipeline, we are able to provide our associates with exciting career advancement growth and opportunities.
General Responsibilities:
- Professionally manage incoming phone calls, pre-qualify leads (web inquiries, Cvent,The Knot, Wedding Wire, Eventective), maintain timely responses using remote communication tools and various hotel PMS systems.
- Grow existing accounts and generate new business to exceed budget and maximize revenue and profits
- Maintain existing account relationships
- Formulate sales and marketing strategies for assigned hotel
- Collaborate with sales team, revenue management, food & beverage, and Hotel General Managers to maximize profitability of properties while maintain guest satisfaction
- Work closely with the sales teams, food & beverage, and Hotel General Managers at assigned hotels to assist in capturing catering business in all segments including corporate transient business
- Have general knowledge of Colwen banquet food service standards and techniques
- Develop and maintain market awareness to ensure ability to forecast revenue opportunities and create proactive strategies
- Establish individual sales plans and goals for corporate and social catering events
- Monitor and analyze product of top accounts and evaluate trends in market
- Independently solicit and book business
- Proactive solicitation of new business to achieve region revenue goals
- Proactive solicitation to include meaningful phone conversations, outside sales calls, site visits, professional email communications and social media campaigns
- Negotiate food and beverage pricing, meeting room rental, and other services
- Work directly with clients and event planners to gather necessary information for menu planning, floor plans, room set-up, timeliness, rental orders, décor, cost, rooming list and billing details and any other requirements pertinent to their event in a timely manner and assist with those items as necessary.
- Process Rewards points for group contacts post-event.
- Compile sales reports as required in a timely and accurate manner
- Maintain accurate and up to date records of all activity/transactions
- Ensure knowledge of and adherence to standards by the banquet team to achieve optimal sales service and client retention
- Supervise the execution of banquet events and monitor service provided by banquet staff
- Participate in local networking organizations, community, and industry events while representing Colwen Hotels in a professional manner
- Maintain knowledge of the competition
Requirements:
- 2+ years sales and catering experience with a strong emphasis on food and beverage
- Proven track record in social and corporate catering, hotel preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (grammar, punctuation, spelling)
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- Ability to communicate across all levels of the organization
- Comfortable in problem solving with client relationships and event management
- Proven ability to drive the sales process
- Excellent listening, negotiation and presentation skills
- Strong leader of people
- Reliable with ability to multi-task and work under pressure
- Able to travel to various local locations for sales call and networking
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills, familiar with common computer software programs, and ability to learn new software programs Experience with Amadeus Diagramming or Social Table, and Delphi FDC or CI/TY a plus
- Reliable with the ability to work varied hours
We’ve got you covered: Benefits & Perks
- Medical Insurance with Company-Funded HRA
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Wide-Array of Supplemental Insurance Offerings
- Paid Time Off Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401K Plan – Traditional & Roth Options with Employer Match
- Hotel Discount Travel Program for Associates & Family
- Exclusive Associate Discounts – Travel, Entertainment, & Retail
- Training and Development Programs
- Career Advancement Opportunities
Colwen Hotels is an equal opportunity employer. EOE M/F/D/V