Catering Sales Manager

Job Description Summary
The Catering Sales Manager sets the tone for Sonesta's Culture of Caring. We expect leaders to focus on creating amazing moments for guests, planners, and team members and dig deep to find ways to create success for their team. The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for maximizing Catering Corporate and Social revenues and profits for the hotel. The Catering Sales Manager will uncover new business opportunities, foster client relationships, and ensure the successful execution of events. This position will be based out of the Royal Sonesta Chicago River North and report to the Area Director of Catering.
Job Description
Job Description

• Achieve personal and team goals as assigned
• Prospect, solicit, negotiate, and book new and repeat social and corporate business to ensure maximization of revenue to achieve budgeted revenue goals.
• Establish client base of individuals, organizations, associations, social, and/or corporate businesses through direct outside and inside selling
• Negotiate guest room rates, meeting room rental, function space, and/or hotel services within approved booking guidelines
• Work with each client in menu planning, food, and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow room set-up, group room blocks, and VIP services, etc
• Monitor and handle inquiry calls and provide client proposals in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures
• Prepare and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO). Ensure all BEO paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Attend BEO meetings
• Coordinate functions and activities with other department heads as appropriate and communicate the Meeting/Event planner's needs to appropriate staff
• Plan and attend Pre and Post convention meetings
• Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients
• Check function/Event room setups prior to guest client arrival, ensuring all details agree with client's requirements and hotel standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by the appropriate personnel
• Based on business levels, will assist Conference Services for Groups Meetings & Events by detailing the meeting specifications for each group and communicating those needs throughout operations of the hotel to effectively execute the event
• Attend sales, revenue, and department meetings
• Assist the Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering & Convention Services with Budget and Forecast and complete special projects and assignments as designated.
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned

Specific Job Knowledge & Skills:

• High school degree or equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree preferred
• 2 years of hotel-related sales experience required. Catering sales and/or Conference services experience is preferred
• 1 year of Catering Sales experience in a 4-Diamond hotel with 2,000+sqft of function space is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments
• Delphi and Opera PMS experience a plus
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Additional Job Information/Anticipated
Pay Range
Benefits
Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.