Sales & Events Manager

The Sales and Events Manager is a revenue-driving role responsible for owning the full sales cycle — from outbound prospecting and lead generation through to close and flawless execution — for all private functions and private dining sales at Hawksmoor Chicago. This role is first and foremost a sales role: success is measured by pipeline growth, conversion, and booked revenue, with events execution as the natural extension of a well-managed sales funnel. We're looking for a proactive hunter who thrives on building relationships from scratch, generating new business, and consistently filling the sales funnel — while also operating as a trusted, collaborative member of the broader restaurant leadership team. Key Responsibilities Drive Sales & Own the Funnel Own and drive the full sales funnel — prospecting, lead generation, qualification, proposal, negotiation, close, and post-event follow-up — with a relentless focus on maximizing conversion at every stageProactively generate new business through outbound prospecting as a core, daily activity — targeted outreach and networking to build a consistent pipeline of new leadsMaintain and grow sales momentum needed to keep private dining rooms and the restaurant fully booked months and years into the futuBuild and own a robust sales database for Chicago, ensuring no opportunity in the local market goes untappedSet and hit personal sales targets and KPIs tied to outbound activity volume, pipeline value, and closed revenueTrack and report on funnel health — lead volume, conversion rates, average deal size, and velocity — to continuously improve sales performance Identify and cultivate relationships across every type of booker — from executive assistants to corporate event planners to CEOsLiaise with sales and marketing communities, membership organizations, associations, and listing guides to build referral pipelines and incentivize bookings Sales Execution & Relationship Management Promote Hawksmoor Chicago to discerning diners across the city and beyond, positioning the brand as the go-to destination for private eventsRun regular showcases, tastings, and client events designed specifically to generate and convert new sales leadsKeep all digital booking systems, CRM, and databases accurate and current to support disciplined pipeline managementEmbed the Hawksmoor Chicago brand into the local dining scene, building it into a respected long-term cornerstone of Chicago cultureBe the host for onsite events, introduce and turn over clients to the operations team Team Collaboration Act as a key, collaborative member of the Hawksmoor Chicago team — working closely with operations, culinary, and front-of-house leadership to ensure every sold event is flawlessly executedPartner cross-functionally to align sales promises with operational capability, ensuring a seamless handoff from sale to executionSupport a team-first culture, pitching in wherever needed to support the broader goals of the restaurant Qualifications And Skills Proven sales experience with a track record of driving revenue through proactive outbound prospecting and full-funnel sales management — hospitality or events experience is a strong plusHunter mentality: demonstrated success generating new business from cold outreach, not just managing inbound leadsExcellent negotiation, closing, and customer service skillsStrong organizational skills with the ability to manage a high-volume, multi-stage sales pipeline and multiple projects simultaneouslyProficiency in Tripleseat, Prospecting systems (LinkedIn, Crunchbase and beyond), and Microsoft Office SuiteA collaborative, team-oriented approach with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced restaurant environment This role requires working some evenings, weekends, and holidays to oversee events.