Event Planning Manager

Highgate Hotels•San Francisco, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Highgate is a real estate investment and hospitality management company operating a global portfolio of hotels and maintaining corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle. The position is based at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA, a 686-room hotel in San Francisco’s South of Market district. The Event Sales Manager develops sales strategies and generates interest in hotel business across assigned markets, which may include national, corporate, state, regional, SMERF, association, sports tournament, and other group functions. The role solicits and negotiates contracts, develops customer relationships, prepares proposals, and coordinates with hotel operations to service accounts. It also manages group room blocks and event documentation, forecasts group pickup, and represents the hotel at customer visits and industry events. The hotel seeks someone with strong communication and relationship-building skills, sales or event-services experience, and the ability to prospect and represent the property professionally. A minimum of two years of college is required; a degree is desirable. The posting offers full-time associates a benefits package that includes insurance coverage, retirement matching, paid leave, and educational opportunities, subject to applicable eligibility and location-specific terms.

Requirements

At least two years of college; a degree is desirable.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong self-direction and ability to prospect.
Excellent computer and telephone skills.
Superior relationship-building and networking skills.
Ability to represent the property in business settings.
Aggressive, outgoing, self-motivated approach and a pleasant personality.
Basic sales techniques and customer service knowledge.
Prior hotel experience in hospitality sales, conference planning, or convention skills.

Nice To Haves

A degree.
Two to four years of experience in sales and/or event services.

Responsibilities

Solicit account leads from group meeting and event planners and decision makers for cultivation and development.
Represent the hotel to prospective customers, provide information about facilities and services, and determine their level of interest.
Maintain knowledge of hotel services and features, local attractions and activities, scheduled group functions, function spaces, meeting and banquet room setups, and applicable policies and procedures.
Maintain positive guest relations, anticipate and respond to guest needs, and resolve complaints to ensure guest satisfaction.
Review prior-day sales and labor costs, resolve discrepancies with Accounting, and track actual results against budget.
Manage group room blocks through the contracted cutoff date.
Prepare accurate deposit invoices and review final bills for completeness and accuracy.
Prepare and distribute accurate banquet event orders in a timely manner.
Manage and negotiate account details and contracts, ensuring solicitation and closing details are completed and documented.
Communicate and plan with operations departments for account servicing.
Develop programs and submit formal sales proposals to prospective customers.
Lead customer site inspections, entertain customers, and make outside sales calls to develop leads.
Attend trade shows and events and make personal customer calls, which may involve travel within or outside the United States depending on assigned markets.
Forecast realistic group pickup using recent convention history and other information.
Distribute relevant information about the company, customer, and hotel.
Participate actively in related trade organizations.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.
Use hotel equipment correctly and only as intended.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
Paid holidays
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law
Employee assistance program
Educational opportunities and tuition reimbursement
Paid jury duty leave, personal leave, medical leave, and military leave in accordance with applicable law
Washington associates: 8 paid holidays per year; up to 20 vacation days per year based on classification and length of service; paid sick and safe time accrues at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with up to 72 unused hours carried over.
Colorado associates: 8 paid holidays per year; Denver employees receive 64 hours of designated holiday time per calendar year; up to 20 vacation days per year based on classification and length of service; paid sick leave accrues at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 6 days or 48 hours per year.
California associates: 8 paid holidays per year; up to 20 vacation days per year based on classification and length of service; paid sick time accrues at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with location-specific accrual, carryover, and caps.
Benefits for associates covered by a collective bargaining agreement may vary and are governed by the applicable agreement and plan documents.