Job Summary
The Sales, Meeting and Event Specialist is responsible for prospecting, developing, and maintaining client accounts to maximize revenues for the hotel by selling event space, interacting with clients and coordinating all function details. Also responsibilities will include preparing event orders and contracts for weddings, meetings and social events. Applicants will work closely with the banquet department as well as all other departments to fulfill event requirements.
Primary Responsibilities
- Attention to detail is essential. Communication skills must be honed in order for all written information to be legible as this information is read by clients and staff members alike.
- Maximize revenue by selling all corporate & social events of the hotel to previous, current and potential clients. Use professional sales techniques to negotiate the best possible terms and conditions that satisfy customer requirements.
- Handle all guest interactions with the highest level of hospitality and professionalism.
- Grow customer base within set accounts. Maintain hotel relationships with key accounts to increase customer satisfaction and account revenue. Develop and conduct persuasive verbal sales presentations to prospective clients.
- Attend community & networking events as the hotel ambassador. Organize sales blitzes, represent hotel at trade shows, support marketing efforts by posting to various social media channels, etc. Cold-call prospects, including those generated by external sources of lead.
- Work with the team to create promotional materials for Hotel including catering packages, proposals, and other catering sales initiatives, etc.
- Support the service personnel in any way possible to enhance guest experience and satisfaction. Work closely with clients and hotel departments throughout the duration of events and follow up on guests/groups to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Implement catering marketing plans to achieve revenue goals.
- Exceed monthly goals in each of the following categories: revenue, site inspections, personal sales calls, entertainment and prospecting.
- Produce general correspondence including contracts, letters, banquet event orders, deposits and reports
- Relay all details of the event to all departments in a professional thorough and timely manner using Banquet Event Orders and internal memos effectively. Coordinate various departments' participation in servicing accounts and events.
- Coordinate, Supervise and Direct all group business after it is booked through to completion of the event while maintaining profitable operations, a high quality product and service levels.
- Effectively use function space to maximize revenues.
- Upsell hotel services suggesting suitable menus, events and activities.
- Stay familiar with industry trends via appropriate publications/trade memberships
- Attend/participate in hotel committees, staff meeting
- Report all unsafe, unhealthy conditions within the workplace.
- Duties as assigned by the Director of Sales and Catering.
Health and Safety
- Follow safe work procedures as per hotel policy and procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment.
- Know and comply with all Occupational Health & Safety regulations, as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Ministry of Labour.
- Report all injuries or illnesses to a supervisor or manager immediately.
- Participate in Joint Health and Safety Committee by bringing health and safety concerns or issues to the attention of the committee
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree, Business degree or Hotel Management degree and asset
- 2 years demonstrated Event planning, Conference Services and/or Sales experience, in a hospitality or food and beverage environment
- Previous hotel sales and catering experience an asset
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Engaging, enthusiastic and results-driven
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in digital promotional activities
- Demonstrable computer literacy in Microsoft programs and administrative organizational skills
- Must possess a basic understanding of finance
Skills: Interpersonal skills
Sales/ negotiating abilities
Attention to detail
Computer skills
Planning and organizational ability
Physical Effort
- Performs computer work daily.
Working Conditions
- Able to thrive and enjoy a multi task environment of dynamic deadlines and multiple priorities
- Frequent handling of queries and calls from guests, potential customers, and other internal stakeholders
Type of Supervision Required
Reports to the Director of Sales and Catering and works under minimal to no supervision. The Individual has complete responsibility and complete authority to take whatever action is deemed advisable or necessary, subject only to the policies or general rules laid down.
The position will focus on selling and negotiating conference and banquet services, therefore a significant portion of time is spent speaking, listening, thinking, reasoning, and writing. Mathematical skills, including basic math, problem solving, forecasting, profit/ loss concepts, variances and percentages are often used.
A large portion of time is spent detailing catering contracts, conducting tours, meeting and greeting clients and/or meeting and directing with other hotel departments.
Attention to detail is essential. Communication skills must be honed in order for all written information to be legible as this information is read by many staff members.
Please Note: This job description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications. The job description is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future. The Hotel operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so operational demands require variations in shift days, starting times, and hours worked in a week.
