Director of Sales

SkyBridge Luxury is conducting a confidential search for an accomplished Director of Sales for a catering and events organization in the Washington, DC area. Off-premise catering experience is strongly preferred, along with demonstrated success leading a large sales and event-planning team.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for a proven sales professional who understands the unique demands of catering and complex special events. The Director of Sales will oversee a large team while remaining actively involved in generating new business, expanding key client relationships and growing the company’s presence.

The ideal candidate is both an experienced team leader and a highly motivated business developer. This individual should bring a hunter mentality, an established network and the ability to introduce new corporate, association, social, institutional and venue-based business that the company is not currently capturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coaching and accountability for a large team of account sales managers and meeting planners
• Establish sales goals, performance standards and strategies that support revenue growth
• Develop new business across corporate events, galas, weddings, social events, nonprofit organizations, associations and other large-scale catered events
• Build and strengthen relationships with venues, planners, corporate clients and industry partners
• Maintain an active presence in the market and represent the organization at networking and industry events
• Identify new revenue channels, strategic partnerships and preferred or exclusive venue opportunities
• Support account managers with major proposals, pricing strategies, negotiations and client presentations
• Partner closely with culinary, operations, production and event-planning teams to ensure business is profitable and operationally executable
• Monitor sales activity, forecasting, pipeline development, conversion and account performance
• Personally cultivate and close significant new accounts while developing a high-performing sales culture

Ideal Background

• Significant sales leadership experience in off-premise catering is strongly preferred
• Prior responsibility for managing and developing a large team of at least 15 sales and event-planning professionals
• Demonstrated success generating new business and building a meaningful book of business
• Strong knowledge of the catering, venue and events landscape
• Established relationships with venues, planners, corporations, associations or institutional clients
• Experience selling complex, high-touch events, ideally involving off-premise food, beverage, labor, rentals and production
• Commercially driven, entrepreneurial and comfortable remaining personally involved in business development
• Strong understanding of event operations and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments
• Excellent communication, relationship-management and negotiation skills

Off-premise catering candidates nationwide and candidates from large hotel catering operations in DC, Maryland or Virginia are encouraged to apply. Strong catering sales experience, large-team leadership and proven new-business development are required.

Competitive compensation, excellent benefits and substantial performance-based incentive potential.

Fully onsite in the Washington, DC market. Relocation required for candidates outside the area.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.