Conference and Events Services Manager at InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf

IHG•Washington, DC

6d•$30 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

IHG Hotels & Resorts is a leading global hotel company with 19 brands, including luxury brands like InterContinental, Regent Hotels, Six Senses, Vignette Collection, and Kimpton Hotels. The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf is a luxurious hotel located at The Wharf on D.C.'s Waterfront, offering sophisticated contemporary style and stunning Potomac River views. This position is for a Catering Sales Manager responsible for developing business through direct sales, securing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and executing sales strategies to maximize hotel profitability while ensuring guest satisfaction. The role involves overseeing client functions to ensure satisfaction, negotiating rates, managing contracts, and coordinating with various hotel departments to facilitate services. The manager will also be responsible for checking function room setups, ensuring client requirements and hotel standards are met, and assisting clients with menu planning and event coordination.

Requirements

Some College plus 1-2 years sales or catering related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of hotel and food & beverage operations preferred.
Must speak fluent English.
Frequently standing up or moving within and outside of the facility.
Carrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds.
Handling objects.
Bending, stooping, kneeling.
Communication skills utilized a significant amount of time when interacting with others.
Demonstrated ability to interact with guests, employees and third parties that reflects highly on the hotel, the brand and the Company.
Reading and writing abilities utilized often when completing paperwork and management reports, interpreting results, giving and receiving instructions, and training.
Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances are utilized frequently.
Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are used often.
Ability to travel to attend workshops, tradeshows, conventions, etc.
May require a valid Driver’s License.
May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

Nice To Haves

Other languages preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop business through direct sales solicitation, secure new accounts, and maintain existing accounts.
Execute tactical sales plans and strategies to maximize hotel profitability while maintaining guest satisfaction.
Oversee client functions to ensure customer satisfaction.
Establish a client base through direct outside and inside sales efforts to secure business for the hotel and meet or exceed catering revenue goals.
Actively prospect and qualify new business.
Negotiate guest room rates, meeting room rental, function space, and hotel services within approved booking guidelines.
Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and banquet/catering event orders.
Monitor and handle inquiry calls and provide client proposals.
Work closely with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
Disseminate sales-related information to other departments as appropriate.
Check function room set ups prior to guest arrival, ensuring all details are in agreement with client’s requirements and hotel standards, and ensure deficiencies are corrected.
Welcome group contact upon arrival at function and ensure guest satisfaction.
Monitor and ensure all functions are set up, refreshed, and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and departmental procedures.
Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients.
Entertain clients in accordance with established company and hotel policies and guidelines.
Maintain client files and update information daily.
Produce monthly sales-related reports and sales forecasts for assigned area of responsibility.
Attend and represent the hotel at trade shows and conventions and/or participate in sales trips to key feeder markets.
Follow up with guests regularly during and after departure to ensure satisfaction and secure future bookings.
Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
Interact with guests to ensure their total satisfaction.
Interact with airlines, wholesalers, corporate accounts, travel agencies, ad agencies, etc., to ensure repeat business, follow up on events, and generate new business.
Interact with other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups).
Assist in developing and implementing sales action plans as assigned.
Participate in the annual budgeting and planning process.
Assist client in menu planning.
Coordinate food, beverage, table arrangements, and decorations with the Banquet Department.
Perform other duties as assigned.