Wedding & Social Catering Sales Manager

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

The Joule Dallas, TX

Built in the 1920s, the neo-Gothic landmark building at 1530 Main Street was originally the Dallas National Bank. It dominated the downtown skyline during a thriving era of Dallas banking and West Texas oil booms. Downtown Dallas flourished through the '80s, but as the 20th century drew to a close, it was a shadow of its former glory. A decade of development deals and massive renovations transformed the then-vacant bank building into a Forbes four-star boutique hotel. Aptly named after the international unit of energy, The Joule brought a charge to downtown Dallas when it opened in 2008. Through a series of further renovations and expansions as adjacent properties became available, The Joule has become a cultural, shopping, and dining destination-a forerunner in the renaissance of downtown Dallas.

The Wedding & Social Catering Sales Manager is responsible for soliciting new catering accounts, entertaining and sustaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and/or exceed revenue goals. They must have a strong knowledge of events and understand the importance of prospecting in creating new sales opportunities for the hotel. They are also responsible to coordinate and service client functions to ensure customer satisfaction while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels. They must be comfortable in problem solving with client relationships and event management.

Sell and plan various events, including weddings.
• Ensure all bookings are carried out successfully from start to finish including booking, contracts, payments, preparing.
• Understand and successfully manage wedding flow, timelines, vendor relationships and client interactions.
• Conduct tastings, run rehearsals, vendor site visits and collaboration meetings
• Social Media savvy, monitor reviews on Wedding Wire, The Knot and various publications.
• Ability to handle socials such as sorority and fraternity events, student galas, proms, birthdays, anniversary, bar/bat mitzvahs etc.
• Maintain current repeat business while soliciting new business
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Follow up on all turnovers within 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.
• Know meeting room setups and capabilities.
• Know sleeping room configurations and types.
• Respond to Catering inquires immediately.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.
• Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
• Manage the function diary and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Education & Experience:

• At least 2 years of progressive sales experience specializing preferably in Catering/Hospitality Sales and within Dallas market
• Minimum (2) two year college degree (4) four years preferred or 3-5 years of related industry experience with a proven track record of success
• Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing. Delphi experience preferred