Doubletree by Hilton Newark Penn-Station is seeking a Catering Sales and Event Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for a catering sales professional who has a passion for sales, creating memorable events and in the culinary arts! This position will be responsible for achieving booking quotas in the local catering segment, which include corporate, association, SMERF and the social market. In addition to selling responsibilities, this position will also coordinate all aspects of F&B or event space execution for related for “group” events and will prepare all event documentation and coordinate with hotel departments and customer to ensure consistent, high-level service throughout the event.

The Sales & Event Manager will be tasked with the following duties, responsibilities, and assignments:

Essential Functions:

• Consistently meets/exceeds personal revenue production goals
• Follows booking guidelines to maximize revenue opportunities without displacing group business
• Identifies, solicits and develops new business through obtaining accounts from reader board service, lost business reports, direct sales from existing accounts and contact new customers in the market.
• Develops strategic action plans
• Manages assigned market segment’s attrition, cancellation charges, and adjustments
• Responds to all leads within the time allotment dictated by Sales Directors
• Solicit, negotiate and book new and repeat business through various efforts (outside sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, referrals, networking, etc.)
• 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
• Maintain accurate, legible records and files to provide group history ensure future and current quality service and enhance future prospects.
• Plan, upsell and detail the program with the client including verification and modification of space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc. Prepare the appropriate resumes and paperwork to ensure quality service.
• Manage function details and related activities to ensure that program requirements are satisfied. Anticipate and handle customer complaints and/or problems to ensure quality product delivery, customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Improve hotel convention services' products through; (a) the development of new sales tools, menus, themes, and decorations, (b) the analysis of the strengths and weakness of our competitions product, and (c) analysis, understanding, and satisfaction of our customers’ needs.
• Monitor and control individual event budgets and details to maximize revenues and minimize expenses while ensuring delivery of a quality product.
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details. Follows up with customer post-event.
• Acts as liaison between hotel and customer throughout the event process (pre-event, event, post-event). Makes presence known to customer at all times during this process and is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
• Proactively identifies operational challenges associated with his/her group and works with the hotel staff and customer to solve these challenges and/or develop alternative solutions.
• Leads pre-event and post-event meetings for assigned groups.
• Facilitates various meetings as necessary (Banquet Event Order meeting, block review, etc.).
• Manages group room blocks and meeting space for assigned groups
• Greets customer during the event phase and hands-off to the operations team for the execution of details.
• Adheres to all standards, policies, and procedures.
• Integrates current trends in the meetings & special events industry.

Experience:

• Minimum one (1) or more years of catering sales event execution experience
• Proven track record of a consistent ability to provide quality service
• Previous leadership experience preferred
• Aggressive negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business

Skills And Knowledge:

• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills
• Knowledge of the convention/catering, food & beverage and presentation
• Computer literate in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Computer literate with Delphi preferred