EXECUTIVE MEETING MANAGER

Job Summary

The Executive Meeting Manager is an integral part of the sales team focused on working with smaller to mid-sized groups (up to 35 rooms/peak) and smaller meetings of 100 guests or less. This position works on all aspects of the sales process from receiving inquiry calls, booking business, confirming details and working with the group while they are on site.  This position reports to the Director of Conference Services.  Work schedule will be 40-50 hours over a five day period; days and times may vary based on need. Must be available when personal accounts are in house.

Key Responsibilities:

• Primary Market is small external meetings under 10 guests with no room block; small internal catering groups; Olin rooms and bookings and client development
• Optimize room rental charges.
• Thorough knowledge of sales techniques including strong closing and negotiating skills.
• Comfortable with hotel site inspections and client presentations.
• Ability to generate creative and innovative menus while working closely with Chef on pricing specialty menus.
• Work closely with banquet department on operations and event execution.
• Provide overall direction, coordination, and ongoing evaluation of operations. Detailed execution of all banquet event orders generated by the Catering Department.
• Monitor group room blocks and pick up, generate detailed resumes for the operating departments.
• Ability to work with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction for all events/groups.
• Prepare and send requested collateral materials to designated clients or guests. Common collateral materials might include catering menus, brochures, meeting room layout & seating capacity diagrams, area maps & brochures.
• Solicit, negotiate and book new and repeat business through efforts (outside sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, networking, etc.) while maximizing banquet space to meet/exceed revenue goals.
• Execute a territorial marketing strategy to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet and ideally exceed sales goals.
• Plan, upsell and detail the meeting/function with the client including: space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc. Complete the contracts, prepare the appropriate paperwork, including banquet event orders, coordinate with the appropriate areas in the hotel, resolve any issues, complaints and problems to ensure a quality product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Prepare status and period end reports.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of corporate and hotel procedures, products and competition, including their strengths and weaknesses, to continually improve sales strategies and achieve goals.
• Professional and positive communication to both guests and fellow employees.
• Participate in communication and professional organizations to maintain high visibility and promote sales.
• Local travel required. Own vehicle required for sales calls.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree preferred
• Minimum 1 year of hotel experience, preferable in Sales & Catering.
• Thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of catering, food and beverage, menu development and pricing.
• Ability to investigate and analyze current activities and/or information involving readily available data and indicating logical conclusions and recommendations.
• Must possess communication skills in terms of the ability to negotiate, convince, sell and influence professionals and/or hotel guests.
• Ability to drive to outside sales calls.
• Experience with MS Office products as well as industry software (booking tools)