Catering Sales Manager - Radisson Blu Mall of America

Choice Hotels International•Bloomington, MN

24d•$63,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Catering Sales Manager is primarily responsible for achieving or exceeding revenue goals by proactively prospecting, closing, and facilitating catering business opportunities, as well as ensuring successful event execution and guest satisfaction. The position works with sales and catering leadership to achieve individual and team goals, develops business and sales strategies, and supports the hotel’s business strategy. The role includes prospecting, preparing proposals and contracts, responding to RFPs, coordinating client requirements with hotel departments, and maintaining relationships to generate repeat business and referrals. The position is based at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, an upper-upscale hotel with 500 guest rooms and more than 26,000 square feet of meeting space. The role also involves market research, lead follow-up, networking, community involvement, and representing the hotel at trade shows and customer events as needed. Guest service is central to the position: the manager is expected to provide genuine hospitality, resolve guest concerns empathetically, and help deliver 100% guest satisfaction. The job requires standing, sitting, and walking for extended periods and the ability to lift, carry, or otherwise exert force up to 75 pounds, including when setting up catering and conference spaces. The hotel operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so associates may be moved from their usual shift and have assigned duties changed as business needs dictate.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
One to three years of hotel catering or convention experience.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong negotiation skills.
Strong mathematical skills.
General knowledge of contract laws.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Delphi and/or Opera.
Ability to collaborate effectively with hotel employees and managers.
Ability to stand, sit, and walk for extended periods.
Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise exert force up to 75 pounds, including setting up catering and conference spaces.
Ability to use common office equipment, including computers, printers, and phones.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Local market knowledge preferred.
Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) certification desirable.

Responsibilities

Achieve market share and revenue goals in coordination with the Director of Sales/Marketing or Director of Catering/Convention Services.
Prepare proposals and contracts that maximize profit while meeting client needs, and respond to relevant RFPs in alignment with brand standards.
Communicate booked and assigned client requests to hotel departments promptly using group resumes and detailed Banquet Event Orders.
Solicit and confirm business through timely file follow-up, outside sales calls, prospecting, hotel tours, and client hosting.
Present and sell hotel features and benefits to meet client needs; contact in-house customers to retain and grow business, repeat bookings, and referrals.
Review individual goals weekly and take appropriate action to achieve objectives; adapt to changing market and team dynamics.
Follow up on groups booked with the event services team and meeting planners to support maximum daily occupancy.
Ensure materials used comply with brand standards and represent the hotel at trade shows and customer events as needed.
Participate in developing and implementing hotel business strategies aligned with Choice’s mission, vision, values, and strategies.
Develop and implement strategies for achieving individual sales goals; maintain information flow to the sales team and review sales work files for assigned accounts.
Assist with monthly booking reports and prepare reports and forecasts to support management decisions and evaluation of work activities.
Provide genuine hospitality and teamwork, take personal responsibility for guest service, and resolve guest problems with empathy and follow-through.
Conduct market research and analysis to identify industry trends and business opportunities, maintain client loyalty, and follow up with leads.
Attend networking events, participate in community involvement opportunities, and advocate for the hotel’s service and brand.
Perform other duties assigned by management to support guest satisfaction and genuine hospitality.

Benefits

Employee discounts on thousands of hotels.
Complimentary meal in the associate cafeteria during the shift.
Free parking.
Paid sick time (MN Earned Sick and Safe Time).
Paid vacation and sick time beginning on day one.
Eight paid holidays.
Paid bereavement.
Paid floating holidays.
Full benefits package for full-time employees, including health, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability, beginning the first of the month following 30 days of service.
401(k) retirement plan beginning the first of the month following 30 days of service.