Event Meeting Manager

Westmont Group•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Solicit, book, plan and coordinate meetings/functions while maximizing the banquet space to meet/exceed sales goals. Utilize prospecting skills and strong business sense to consistently exceed catering revenue goals. Report all Catering activities to the Director of Catering Sales or Director of Sales & Marketing. Enliven the Westmont Standards within the Department and the hotel. Support all Corporate and hotel initiatives as needed. This description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications. The job description is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future. The Hotel operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so operational demands require variations in shift days, starting times, and hours worked in a week.

Requirements

Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and Windows
Any supervisory/management position
Previous knowledge of Delphi Sales/ Conference services hotel system
Basic Food and Beverage and/or catering knowledge
Good typing skills
Previous hotel experience
Knowledge of Banquet Room set ups
Strong verbal and written communication. Ability to communicate with all levels of hotel staff and clients
Ability to recognize problems before they develop and take appropriate action
Proactive team mentality
Computer literacy in Excel and Word as well as good typing skills
Professional and business like appearance
Ability to communicate in English with guests, management, and co-workers to their understanding
Ability to prioritize own workload
Ability to supervise and maintain staff
Ability to work with minimum supervision
Highly energetic and enthusiastic
Diplomacy in providing for the need of the clients without compromising the mission of the department of the hotel
Excellent listening skills
Working knowledge of all office and audiovisual equipment, set-up procedures, or ability to learn quickly
Strong sales/ marketing orientation
Availability for flexible schedule (including early mornings, nights and weekends)
Ability to access, enter, and utilize the hotel computer system
Ability to take client information, gauge the date, and put it into a standard format, which is understood to all able hotel departments
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations

Responsibilities

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.
Execute a territorial marketing strategy to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet/exceed sales 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.
Closes the best opportunities for the hotel based on market conditions and hotel needs.
Understands competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, and knows how to sell against them.
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.
Effectively manages and develops relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction.
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.
Effectively use sales resources and administrative/support staff.
Conducts site inspections.
Creates proposals as required.
Creates contracts as required.
Possesses excellent telephone sales skills.
Possesses strong overall sales skills.
Executive planning and coordination in a timely and responsible manner
Communicate directly with group Meeting Planner and appropriate departments to coordinate all group activities, both on and off property, ensuring quality product and exceptional service delivery
Maintain a working knowledge of guest rooms, meeting logistics, and audiovisual and food and beverage
Serve as a creative source to meeting planners when assistance is solicited
Understand the services provided by each department and the responsibilities of key individuals
Attend all daily and weekly scheduled meetings as required
Follow policies, procedures and standards as detailed in training manual and employee handbook
Protect the assets of the property. Report required repairs for front and back of house to the Director
Follow through with daily task list as assigned by Manager
Observe and practice safe working habits
Assume special projects as agreed to with the Manager