Catering Sales Manager| Grand River Conference Center

Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the world's leading arena development, management, and hospitality company founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff to disrupt business as usual. As the largest developer of sports and entertainment facilities in the world, OVG prioritizes the way we do business focusing on making long-term investments in our people and our planet. We focus on building a diverse workforce and cultivating an inclusive workplace. Each day our team members around the world and throughout our local communities work together to provide the greatest experience to our fans and partners.
We celebrate and support a strong, transparent, authentic and inclusive culture focused around four core values:

• We treat each other fairly and with respect.
• We act with integrity.
• We have an entrepreneurial spirit.
• We give back to our global community.

More information at OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Overview
The Catering Sales Manager will be responsible for generating, managing and coordinating in-house Catering Sales and initiating, directing and implementing marketing functions in addition to handling wedding event logistics and operations at the Grand River Center from beginning to end.
This role will pay a salary of $40,000 to $45,000.
For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).
About the Venue
ThThe Grand River Center is a full-service meeting and event facility located in the heart of downtown Dubuque, Iowa. Newly renovated in 2020, featuring over 40,000+ square feet of meeting and exhibition space for events up to 2,000.
Responsibilities

• Responsible for negotiating and submitting finalized contracts and Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to the Banquet Manager and Executive Chef
• Generates, negotiates and closes contracts on social, wedding, corporate, convention and gala events
• Oversees event coordination, will frequently represent the company as final decision-maker in matters pertaining to event execution including personnel, culinary, financial and operational matters
• Responsible for ensuring that contract signatures, cut-off dates, deposits and direct bills are accurate and that all contracts are processed in accordance with company credit policies
• Serves as primary group contact once the contract is signed
• Ensures that the group folders are in order and all master contracts are signed completely
• Responsible for independently resolving and approving any contract revisions while ensuring that price quotes are aligned with budgeted target product cost
• Responsible for authorizing and accurately communicating any BEO revisions to appropriate departments
• Promptly responds to all customer needs and inquiries in an efficient, expedient, and professional manner
• Develops event concepts from client's visions and ideas
• Develops strong customer relations through frequent communication and the use of courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction
• Responsible for high-level oversight to ensure successful onsite catered events and customer satisfaction to encourage repeat business and referrals

Qualifications

• Associates of Arts/Sciences degree or Bachelor's degree. A degree in event management, hospitality, culinary or similar field preferred. Equivalent industry experience will be accepted in lieu of a degree
• Three or more years' professional experience in the food & beverage industry highly desired
• A valid driver's license, or ability to acquire, to make outside sales calls and/or attend off-site events
• Demonstrated experience using independent judgment to make appropriate business decisions
• Advanced computer experience in a Windows format and typing proficiency with accuracy
• Experience with MS Excel, Word, and Outlook or email
• Excellent grammatical skills, and ability to provide accurate details orally and in writing
• A well-groomed professional appearance, and ability to positively represent the company with employees, client representatives and guests
• Ability to regularly be self-directed with minimal supervision and work in a team oriented environment
• Ability to work a varied schedule including evenings and weekends
• Ability to stand, walk and/or be mobile to move from the office location to the event location in a large facility.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference.
At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.
EEO
Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.