Job Description: GENERAL PURPOSE Primary focus is on executing all aspects of event planning and proactive sales process for social functions and catering. Event planning includes all aspects of business coordination from the signing of a group contract forward. For example, direct billing requirements, catering, all event details, VIP needs, amenities, group resumes, rooming lists, registration cards, etc. Other key responsibilities include proactively targeting, capturing and coordinating catering sales efforts. Meets and exceeds revenue goals by developing new catering accounts and planning/coordinating all components of group business in a profitable and win-win selling approach. ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Achieves a minimum a 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals, as established by management. Coordination of all group business as developed by the sales manager. Contact and appropriately follow-up on all signed/contracted business. Determination and coordination of all event planning needs. Responsible for effectively communicating with the various departments to ensure that the meeting and related functions are executed to the clients "expectations plus one". Direct Sales: Targets appointment-oriented sales calls to ensure a successful catering direct sales effort, in accordance with goals established by department budget and marketing plan. Must have own reliable transportation and posses a valid state drivers license in order to make outside sales calls. Key Account Management: Maximizes current hotel key accounts by identifying and developing those that offer revenue growth. New Account Development: Captures competitor's accounts through networking, research and reader board surveys in order to target and solicit those most probable to generate new business. Acquires referrals from existing accounts: Follows up on all leads in an effort to create new business for the hotel and, when appropriate, sends leads to other Sage hotels. Group retention: Is responsible for rebooking group and applicable catering business through building strong, professional customer relationships and providing consistent outstanding customer service. Account Service and Management: Maintains well-documented, accurate, organized and up-to-date file management in order to serve client and employer in the most expedient, organized and knowledgeable manner. Develops customer profiles and maintains an effective trace system including trace dates and references, in order to best meet client needs, resulting in superior account service and increased revenues. Develops strong customer relationships through appropriate client communication and the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction. Promptly follows-up on all customer needs and inquires in an efficient and expedient manner. Time Management: Focuses on revenue-producing activity and maximizes selling time through retaining accounts/customers, maximizing account yield opportunities and direct sales effectiveness. Professionalism: Controls expenses on the property's behalf in order to minimize department and hotel costs. Maximizes return on all investments. Represents themselves and the hotel with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service -focused approach and a caring, sincere attitude at all times. Exhibits a positive and involved team attitude to all hotel departments and maintains open communication with all coworkers for the best overall performance of the hotel. Displays a neat, clean and business-like appearance at all times. OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Contributes to the hotel's overall sales effort during planning and strategy phases through research and knowledgeable input. Arrives to work on time. Responsible for scheduled weekend coverage when necessary. Community/Trade Involvement: Actively participates in those community and trade organizations that most benefit the hotel's exposure to the community and the hotel's bottom line. Performs other duties as assigned or deemed necessary by management. JOB QUALIFICATIONS Requires knowledge of general sales techniques. Yield management experience required. Requires highly developed customer service skills. Requires ability to hear, speak, read and write English fluently. Requires effective verbal communication and business writing skills. Must have dexterity/mobility to meet clients on and off premises, to tour property and attend functions, to climb stairs, use door keys and operate basic office equipment. We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.