Sales Manager (Catering & Events) – Ole Red Orlando

The Manager of Event Sales will contribute to the success of the Ole Red Events and Catering Sales department. This position will sell and organize private events at Ole Red Orlando within guidelines established by the venue to include defined market segments and sales strategies.

• Actively solicit new business opportunities by conducting effective sales calls, out-of-the-office sales calls, and presentations to potential clients; handle special event inquiry calls, negotiate space, assist with development of catering menus, create event proposals and conduct site inspections.
• Represent company in communicating with prospective clients, planners and vendors, including checking availability and placing holds, conducting site visits, creating budget estimates, and explaining venue policies, procedures and best practices.
• Generate new leads from cold calls and negotiate and close contracts.
• Monitor changes in the sales/special events industry in geographic areas and develop strategies to improve and adjust to those changes.
• Evaluate and identify potential business from existing corporate and entertainment clients.
• Ensure all accounting paperwork is accurate; responsible for collecting all monies/deposits before each event, along with contracts and insurance coverage, and ensuring all event-related documents are correctly processed.
• Attend weekly meetings with operations management to review upcoming events for the week and attend staff pre-shift on event nights.
• Assist with developing and enhancing catering and banquet menus that promote upselling options based on dynamic pricing opportunities.
• Ensure event is accurately scheduled in Tripleseat to ensure no conflicts with other departments and to identify booking opportunities.
• Track revenue and expenses throughout event lifecycle, keeping client informed of any deviations from budget. Compile final revenue and expense reports, including appropriate backup, for financial settlements. Conduct onsite settlements when necessary and work with accounting for post-show settlements.
• Achieve overall financial sales goals and targets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred

Experience

• 2+ years experience in event and catering sales
• Experience working with event and catering software system preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Strategic decision-making, planning and organization
• Sales ability and persuasiveness

Ryman Hospitality Properties