Event Sales Manager @ The Hawthorn (2231 Washington Ave. | St. Louis, MO 63103)

Job Responsibilities: The Event Sales Manager will sell and organize events as determined and assigned by the Events Director. They will collect and update information about community and target markets, attend offsite events to draw business into the venue, and serve as the main point of contact for clients looking to book events. They will actively seek out new event business to meet or exceed monthly and yearly sales goals. The Event Sales Manager is expected to be conducting sales a minimum of 50% of the time.

Duties: Duties listed below, are not limited to, but are expected areas of concern for the Event Sales Manager.

• Consistently fulfill sales call quotas and required tracking and management protocol
• Handle initial phone call and email inquiries in a timely manner (within 24 hours)
• Develop and maintain a complete, comprehensive targeted list of companies and organizations
• Build and maintain target client databases (from internal and external sources) e.g. convention business, tour operators, meeting and planners, corporate, social, concierges, non-profits, fundraisers, DMCs, etc.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Convention and Visitors Bureaus, professional organizations, local Chambers of Commerce, hotels, MPI, ILEA, and vendors while soliciting business
• Ensure optimal perception of the venue within the community and within professional organizations
• Attend networking events, sales blitzes and other off-site sales efforts
• Maintain company standards for policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Work with Events Director to ensure and monitor all required reports (BEO’s, monthly calendar, outbound and inbound leads made, forecasting, trackers, weekly recap, financial settlements, sales plans, payment, etc.) are fulfilled and distributed in a timely manner
• Generation of proposals, Event Orders/BEO’s, and contracts
• Maintain and communicate current event information on the holds calendar
• Ensure staffing needs are communicated to the Operations Team
• Assist Events Director to create annual sales plans for each market segment e.g. Convention, Social, Corporate, DMC
• Conduct client tours and walkthroughs to showcase the venue
• Develop sales and marketing strategies for defined market segments including up to date sales materials

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Detail-oriented with proven ability to multi-task and reach both accelerated and long term deadlines
• Excellent organizational, problem solving, written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative to identify and accomplish tasks
• Ability to creatively problem solve and overcome obstacles to achieve goals and customer objectives
• Must be driven and resourceful with a high degree of professionalism
• Must be able to work occasional nights, weekends, and holidays
• Understanding of local and regional markets and hospitality segments, special event operations, computers, and guest relations
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage preparations, service standards, guest and vendor relations and etiquette
• Ability to delegate, follow up, relate to staff, guests, and clients in a positive effective manner and exhibit a high comfort level actively engaging both clients and guests
• Continuous desire for learning and self-improvement
• Complete understanding of competitive set as well as key points to sell against such venues
• Understanding of all operational department responsibilities, capabilities and limitations, to smoothly ensure maximum guest satisfaction, event execution and operational communication
• Public speaking skills
• Complete working knowledge and expertise in use of Tripleseat, All Seated/Prismm

Minimum Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Drive
• 1-3 years sales experience in the hospitality industry, sales, service or retail experience
• Prior event production experience preferred

Reports to:

• Events Director

The preceding Essential Job Functions were designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job duties and responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person