Company Intro

Are you a hospitality professional with a strong work ethic who enjoys working with people? Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team at Lafayette Hotels? If you answered yes, we want to hear from you!

Lafayette Hotels, a renowned family-owned and operated company with over 30 hotels and restaurants throughout Maine and New Hampshire, is seeking a experienced Events & Catering Sales Manager to join our team.

With properties in stunning locations such as Maine's Acadia National Park, the Southern Maine Beaches, and New Hampshire's White Mountains, Lafayette Hotels offers a perfect blend of work and adventure.

www.visitlafayettehotels.com

Job Summary

The Events & Catering Sales Manager is responsible for developing sales opportunities and securing business for events, event catering, and group business.  This includes identifying

potential business opportunities, pursuing qualified leads, negotiating, booking, and detailing events.  The success of the Events & Catering Sales Manager is achieved by meeting and exceeding individual and department revenue goals; proactively soliciting and managing group/catering opportunities; driving customer loyalty by delivering service excellence

through each step of our client's experience; and attending industry and community organization meetings for the purpose of developing strong business relationships.

Daily Duties

• Solicit, qualify, and book all markets for events, event catering, and additional group business.
• Participate in customer site inspections and assist with the sales process as necessary.
• Increase past year’s sales totals of food, beverage, room rental and audio-visual sales through proactive sales calls, upselling, and maximizing space potential and food and beverage minimums/room rentals.
• Attend local/state/regional networking events (ex: Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau) and actively participate in off-site conventions/events as representatives of the hotel (Bridal Shows, Expos, etc.).
• Create and detail Banquet Event Order's (BEOs) and manage communication through departments to successfully carry out events.
• Create floor plans and/or diagrams as needed for unique set-ups; to be handed off to the Banquet Captain and/or service team.
• Ensure integrity of sales data by documenting all communications and group information in the sales/catering program.
• Act as a liaison between the hotel and clients throughout the event sales process and ensure guest satisfaction.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others while handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts.
• Supervise event team, both front of house and back of house, to ensure each event is conducted in a smooth and efficient manner including individual event setup and tear down.
• Cover absences/vacations of the Banquet Captain and work large/complex events when extra support is needed.
• Ability to coach and document team members as needed.
• Responsible for effective self/workload management.

Requirements & Qualifications

• College Degree preferred Two years experience in Catering and/or Hotel Sales required.
• Experience with Caterease highly preferred.
• Professional in both appearance and approach.
• Highly developed customer service skills.
• Knowledge of hotel operations, comp set rates, positioning, proposals, bids, and thorough follow up required.
• Must be able to work independently and in a close team environment.
• Must have flexibility with a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule based on scheduled events, and department/property needs.
• Proven ability to use basic functions of a computer including but not limited to: E-mail, internet, Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel (or equivalent programs).
• Ability to conduct sedentary work most of the time.
• Ability to stand for up to 6 hours as needed for event coverage.
• Limited bending and crouching.
• Fine motor skills for typing.
• Required close visual acuity for computer use and reviewing documentation and reports.
• Proficient and professional spoken and written communication in the English language

Lafayette Hotels is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.