Catering Sales Manager

Compensation Type

Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

Location

Overview

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for soliciting new catering accounts, entertaining and sustaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and/or exceed revenue goals.  They must have a strong knowledge of events and understand the importance of prospecting in creating new sales opportunities for the hotel.  They are also responsible to coordinate and service client functions to ensure customer satisfaction while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels.  They must be comfortable in problem solving with client relationships and event management.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales for social and corporate events including but not limited to Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Luncheons, Galas, Holiday Parties.
• Actively solicit new business and respond to inquiries promptly to confirm profitable events and achieve quarterly and annual sales goals
•  Manage inquiries, qualifying leads, conducting site tours, and converting business opportunities.
• Negotiate with clients using creative proposals and solutions to maximize revenue while meeting client needs and contractual obligations
• Manage client relationships throughout the planning process, ensuring all event details are executed accordingly
• Plan and/or participate in meetings with hotel staff and clients, including Resume Meetings, BEO Meetings, Planning Visits, and Menu Tastings
• Build relationships with wedding planners, event designers, photographers, florists, entertainment partners, and other luxury wedding professionals.
• Stay informed on industry trends and recommend enhancements to wedding offerings and guest experiences.
• Foster strong partnerships across Catering, Conference Services, Culinary, Banquets, Rooms, and Marketing to ensure exceptional event execution.
• Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Follow up on all turnovers within 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.
• Know meeting room setups and capabilities.
• Know sleeping room configurations and types.
• Respond to Express Meeting inquires immediately.
• Use the Partnership Agreement to meet client needs.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.
• Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
• Manage the function diary and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One-to-One Training, etc.)
• Use feedback from client evaluations to improve service and quality

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in wedding sales, catering sales, luxury hospitality, or social event management.
• Professional communication, presentation, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Knowledge of luxury wedding trends in Dallas/ Fort Worth wedding market is preferred.
• Flexible schedule, including  holidays, evenings and weekends, as required by client events.