• Close the best opportunities for the hotel based on market conditions and hotels needs.
• Accurately projects group sleeping rooms and revenue for his/her groups prior to the turnover and continues to be a partner for this process after the turnover.
• Create sales contracts as required.
• Comprehends budgets as needed to assist in the financial management of the department. Understands the impact of department's role in the overall financial goals and objectives of the hotels and manages to achieve or exceed budgeted goals.

• Solicit, negotiate, and book new and repeat business through efforts (sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, networking, etc...) while maximizing banquet space to meet/exceed revenue 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, coordinate with the appropriate areas in the hotel, and resolve any issues, complaints, and problems to ensure quality product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Prepare status and period end reports to keep management abreast of activities.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of corporate/hotel procedures and products and the competition's product, strengths and weaknesses to continually improve sales strategies and the achievement of goals.
• Responds to incoming catering opportunities for the hotel.
• Proactively identifies, qualifies, and solicits new catering business to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals.
• Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts.
• Effectively develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for catering sales opportunities.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to include sales calls (to include outside sales calls), prospecting/solicitation calls, entertainment, bridal shows, etc.
• Possesses operational knowledge and/or appreciation of operations challenges.
• Has basic knowledge of food and beverage compositions.
• Is knowledgeable of food trends, food and beverage composition, and menu planning. Exercises creativity in designing catering sales solutions.
• Understands food and beverage forecasting and attrition.
• Follows all Free Sell guidelines as specified by the Director of Sales & Marketing.

Guest Satisfaction

• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction and builds long terms mutually beneficial customer relationships to support future revenue growth.
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details. Follows up with customer post-event.
• Displays leadership in guest hospitality and ensures consistent, high-level service throughout all phases of hotel events. Ensures products and services sold to the Event Planners meet or exceed their expectations, create loyalty, and leads to increased market share.
• Sets a positive example for guest relations.
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels. Effectively responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
• Reviews Guest Service Results with leaders. Participates in the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
• Utilizes CI/TY or other Marriott systems to capture and manage customer information daily.

Leadership

• Applies broad business knowledge and balances both a short- and long-term perspective to generate strategies while leading the organization to achieve them.
• Demonstrates commitment to Driftwood Hospitality Management operating principles and philosophies.
• Holds self and others accountable for achieving results.
• Addresses conflict in a timely manner.
• Contributes to team results.
• Deals with change effectively.
• Makes decisions, including employees/team and commits to a course of action with available information.

Building Relationships

• Eliminates insular thinking by fostering a positive climate for work relationships and teams committed to achieving organizational goals and initiatives.
• Treats people fairly, with dignity and respect.
• Works to meet goals in a manner that does not disadvantage other employees or groups.
• Demonstrates business ethics and personal integrity
• Listens and responds to others.

Managing Work Execution

• • Proactively ensures that others have the accountability, authority, and resources necessary to both manage work execution and drive for results.
  • Adheres to all standards, policies, and procedures (SOPs, etc.).
  • Effectively uses sales resources and administrative/support staff.
  • Approaches work with a sense of urgency and purpose.
  • Allocates time and resources effectively when faced with competing demands.
  • Overcomes obstacles to accomplish challenging objectives.
  • Follows through on inquiries, requests, and complaints.

Organizational Learner

• Actively pursues learning and self-development to enhance personal, professional and business growth; shares learning; demonstrates depth of knowledge in technical or specialized area.
• Acts independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates an awareness of personal strengths and areas for professional improvement.
• Share learning, innovations, and best practices with others.
• Is willing to learn from others.
• Performs all technical/procedural requirements of the job.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must have (5+) years of progressive sales experience.
• Previous experience in the hospitality industry preferred; experience selling luxury brands and experiential services preferred.
• Aggressive negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business with a high conversion ratio.
• Possess software knowledge (Microsoft Office, etc.).
• Possesses systems knowledge (CI/TY and other Marriott Systems).
• Must be able to Knock on doors to get the business
• Knows how to conduct research on the Internet.
• Weekly prospecting and soliciting goals
• Uncovering new customers
• Effective sales skills to up-sell products and services
• Knowledge of menu planning, food presentation, and banquet and event service operations
• Ability to manage guest room and meeting space inventories
• Strong customer development and relationship management skills
• Knowledge of overall hotel operations as they affect department
• Knowledge of AV products and services at hotels
• Knowledge of contract management and legalities
• Financial management skills e.g., ability to understand P&L statements, manage operating budgets, forecasting, and scheduling
• Strong communication skills (verbal, listening, writing)
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong customer and associate relation skills
• Strong presentation and platform skills
• Strong organization skills
• Strong Closing skills
• Strong persuasion skills
• Ability to use standard software applications and hotel systems
• Effective decision-making skills

Physical Demands

Frequent walking, standing, sitting, hearing, talking, smiling. Lifting, pushing, and pulling objects weighing up to ten (10) pound

.