Conference Services & Sales Manager

HEI Hotels & Resorts•Savannah, GA

1d•$58,000 - $63,000

About The Position

The Conference Services & Sales Manager creates the desired conference and event experience by communicating actively with clients, planning events, and leading teams. The role oversees the detailing and planning of social and corporate events, including weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, celebrations, meetings, conferences, conventions, and group functions. It works closely with clients to understand their vision and requirements, documents those details in Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), and partners with banquet staff and outside vendors to ensure events are executed to client expectations, hotel standards, and established budgets. The manager also supports repeat business, monitors group room blocks and pickup, prepares operating-department resumes, and helps direct and evaluate event operations. The position requires hospitality and catering-sales experience, familiarity with hotel operations and sales practices, and proficiency with Delphi and Microsoft Word and Excel.

Requirements

Prior hospitality experience, specifically in catering sales.
At least one year of experience within the hospitality industry.
Experience at a hotel of similar size and quality.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Delphi.
Knowledge of sales skills, revenue management, training, and motivating peers.
Knowledge of hotel features and benefits and competing hotels in the market.
Ability to execute appropriate action plans.
Knowledge of hotel operations, including marketing plans, security and safety programs, personnel and labor relations, business-plan preparation, repairs and maintenance, budget forecasting, quality assurance programs, hospitality law, and long-range planning.
Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, and ability to adapt communication style to different audiences.

Responsibilities

Understand monthly forecasting and the annual budget process.
Help raise meeting-planner evaluation scores and exceed planner satisfaction through effective methods.
Oversee the detailing and planning of social and corporate events, including weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, social celebrations, corporate meetings, conferences, conventions, and group functions.
Participate in rebooking repeat business and maintain long-term client relationships.
Participate in industry organizations such as NACE and MPI.
Use sales, closing, and negotiation techniques.
Conduct hotel site inspections and client presentations.
Work with clients to understand their event vision, preferences, and requirements, and translate them into detailed, accurate Banquet Event Orders (BEOs).
Coordinate with the banquet department on operations and event execution; evaluate alternatives quickly and determine an appropriate plan of action.
Provide overall direction, coordination, and ongoing evaluation of operations, including detailed execution of banquet event orders generated by the Convention Services Department.
Provide and operate Audio/Visual equipment as a profit center.
Ensure event specifications are documented, communicated, and executed according to client expectations, hotel standards, and established budgets.
Monitor group room blocks and pickup, and generate detailed resumes for operating departments.
Work with outside vendors to support client satisfaction for events and groups.
Comply with attendance rules and be available to work regularly.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.