Do you want to be part of the newest and most exciting hotel to be built in Normal, IL? Scheduled to open in late Fall 2009, the hotel will feature 230 guest suites and 23,000 sq ft of meeting space.
Fun, energetic management team with focus on pre-selling for the hotel.
Involved team with strong interest in networking, community events and memberships.
Professional with positive attitudes and strong team building skills.
Desire to create synergy between team members as well as strong relationships with clients.
Training We Provide
Sales training through John Q. Hammons Hotels Management LLC
How a Person Can Make an Impact in This Job
Generate new business through networking and solicitation
Achievement of sales goals
Focus on client satisfaction
Recognition in the community and organizations through committee involvement
Who Will this Job Appeal To?
Sales Managers who want to join a company that owns and operates 80 hotels with more under development.
Managers who enjoy a team oreiented environment with focus on achieving goals.
Managers who enjoy the social market and offer creativity and innovation.
Someone who enjoys companies that have Holiday Inn, Hilton, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Renaissance, Radisson, and Sheraton franchises plus upscale independent hotels and resorts.
People who want to sell the best hotel in their market segment.
Someone who enjoys a property that aggressively sells social and other catering functions.
A person who enjoys creatively developing innovative catering functions.
An individual who enjoys selling a property that professionally services groups.
Someone who wants to join a very progressive company.
An individual looking for promotion.
People who enjoy working at a property that takes an active role in the community.
The Ideal Candidate for this Position
Experience in Food and Beverage or Customer Service
DELPHI experience preferred
High energy with ability to work in a fast paced pre-opening sales office.
Ideal candidate will possess a strong desire to make and exceed goals.
Scope of this Position
Generation of top line catering revenue for the hotel maximizing all revenue potential and up-selling additional events/amenities whenever possible to build additional revenues.
In preparing for this position, candidate ideally will have worked in at least the following departments or positions: Catering Manager
Requires a minimum of 2 year(s) of experience.
This position reports to: Director of Catering
Position will be required to work a varied schedule that may include evenings, nights, and week-ends.
Overnight travel for this position: 10%
Job Requirements
Must be a citizen of this country or possess a valid work permit.
1. Prompt handling and follow-up of all inquiries for small meetings/events with or without guestrooms. Follow up on leads either by phone or in person qualifying the customers’ needs and dates for the event to determine if the business is a good fit for the property.
2. Negotiation as well as accurate and timely completion of contracts and banquet event orders (BEO). Identify and price out customers needs for the event, up-selling where possible, and closing the sale with the customer by collecting the customer’s deposit and signature on the BEO.
3. Communicate group details/changes to all hotel departments, coordinating the customers needs with other property business and activities to ensure the customer’s expectations are met and the property operates as efficiently as feasible. Enforces hotel policies.
4. Present potential business at Driver Meetings to determine the best mix of customers for hotel to attain budgeted revenues. Conduct pre-and post-conference meetings with client and hotel staff to insure each event meets client’s expectations.
5. Finalize and detail catering plans for groups that are contracted by assigned sales managers. Completely orchestrates these functions whether they are on-site or off-site. Empowered to do whatever it takes to solve problems.
6. Prospect for new catering business using a wide variety of methods including phone calls, outside sales calls, trade shows, attending community functions, blitzs, internet prospecting, supplier partnerships, etc.
7. Constant monitoring of blocked space to insure group is meeting their contractual obligation. Initiate release of blocked space on cut-off date to allow sale of these rooms to other customers.
8. Accurate maintenance of all account files in sales and catering software system, thereby insuring all communication is accurate between client and hotel staff.
Technical Requirements:
Maintain or exceed budgeted sales and profits in all catering areas.
Experience evaluating each piece of catering business to ensure business can be properly serviced.
Re-book business before they leave.
Experience providing A /V equipment and operating A/V as a profit center.
Optimize room rental charges.
Maintain close client relationships with in-house groups.
Actively participate in community/civic activities to maintain awareness within community and to create booking opportunities.
Excellent creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups.
Managerial Requirements:
Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to sell concepts and ideas to management, peers, and employees.
Maintain a good working relationship with guests, groups, and personnel from other departments.
Instill a calm, organized approach in all situations.
Business Skills:
Excellent time management skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Good knowledge of computers.
Strong customer service orientation and skills.
Excellent listening skills.
Exceptional detail in follow-up.
Follow/enforce company policies and procedures.
Create courteous, friendly, professional work environment.
Creative problem solving skills.
Ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action.
Think creatively.
Solid skills selling and negotiating programs/projects.
Consistently call on new customers and develop new business.
Involved with local community to develop business.
Educational Requirements:
High School degree or equivalent.
AA/AS Two year degree.
Compensation
Salary
Competitive Salary
Bonus
payable quarterly; Bonus Plan
Relocation
We will pay relocation costs as agreed upon at time of hiring
Benefits
Paid Time Off
Yes
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Vision Insurance
Free Parking
Matching 401-k
Company Hotel Travel Discounts
An Equal Opportunity Employer
We provide equal opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability.
