Los Angeles | Dir. of Social Event Sales | Forbes 5 Star

DESCRIPTION:

Soon-to-open luxury beachside resort with Forbes 5-star aspirations is seeking a Director of Social Event Sales with a deep network and proven experience in the LA/SoCal market. The Director of Social Events willplay a pivotal role in driving revenue growth by proactively promoting and selling the hotel for social events. They will secure and service social catering business through solicitation and prospecting while maintaining the hotels established standards and maximizing revenue/profit potential. This role is responsible for selling, booking, and coordinating social events including weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and all various social engagements. This individual will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with clients, managing the entire sales process, and ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction. Results-driven creative individual with an established client base is a necessity. This position requires an applicant with a flexible schedule, able to work morning/afternoon shifts, weekends, and holidays. This position reports to the Director of Meetings and Events.

Job duties include:

• Partner with Meetings and Events team to curate a list of recommended wedding vendors providing service consistent with the Hotel brand
• Oversee event management for events sold by working with Meetings and Events team as well as creating Banquet Event Orders, Event Resumes, and other work product as needed
• Communicate thoroughly, accurately, and professionally with Hotel operations team through timely distribution of all work product and representation at BEO and resume meetings
• Ensure accuracy of folios for each event sold with thorough grasp of financials and adherence to Hotel accounting standards
• Actively prospect and generate leads for social catering events, targeting high-profile clients, corporate accounts, and event planners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients to maximize repeat business and referrals.
• Respond to inquiries promptly and professionally, providing detailed information on catering services, menus, pricing, and available options.
• Conduct site visits and coordinate tastings to showcase our catering capabilities and create customized event proposals.
• Collaborate closely with the Banquet and Culinary teams to ensure seamless execution of events, including menu planning, event setup, and staffing requirements,and on-site liaison with client introductions to operations team the day of event.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements with clients, ensuring profitability while meeting the client's needs and maintaining the hotel's standards.
• Provide accurate sales forecasts and regular reports on sales activities, including pipeline management, conversion rates, and revenue projections.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor offerings, and market demand to identify opportunities for innovation and business growth.
• Attend industry events, trade shows, and networking functions to enhance visibility and develop professional relationships within the local social event community.
• Execute other relevant tasks as assigned by Director of Sales and Marketing or Director of Meetings and Events

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience in social catering sales, preferably within the luxury hotel industry.
• Strong sales acumen and a track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Excellent communication skills, able to build rapport and establish trust with clients.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Highly organized with exceptional time management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically to deliver tailored solutions.
• Proficiency with Delphi and other in-house systems.
• A passion for the hospitality industry and a genuine desire to create unforgettable experiences.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive Salary ($130-140K+)
• Full Medical/Dental/Vision
• Bonus
• 401K with up to 6% match after 6 months
• PTO: 2 weeks vacation + 9 sick days + 7 holidays + 2 floating holidays
• Phone stipend
• Free parking
• Meals
• Discount program perks
• Fantastic work culture in a beautiful setting
• EOE