Task Force Catering Sales Manager

About Highgate

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu. Highgate also has an expanding presence in key European markets through properties in London, Paris, Barcelona, Vienna, and Prague. The company’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $10B and generates over $2B in cumulative revenues. Highgate provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. The company develops bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools to drive performance and maximize asset value. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Responsibilities

• Attend daily Highgate Hotel Business Review (HHBR) meeting.
• Develop a full working knowledge of the operations of the hotel, including Food and Beverage, Guest Services, and Reservations.
• Develop a complete knowledge of company sales policies and SOPs, and ensure adherence by the sales team.
• Meet or exceed set sales goals and operate the Sales Department within the established sales expense budget.
• Participate in required Manager on Duty (M.O.D.) and Saturday office coverage as scheduled.
• Initiate and follow up on leads, maintaining an active sales solicitation program.
• Monitor production of all top accounts and evaluate trends within your market.
• Regularly contact existing accounts based on the tracing frequencies of the Account Coverage Program.
• Meet or exceed sales solicitation call goals as assigned by the Director of Sales.
• Invite clients to the hotel for entertainment, lunches, tours, and site inspections.
• Assist in implementing special promotions relating to direct sales segments (e.g., parties, sales blitzes).
• Assist in the preparation of required reports in a timely manner.
• Be familiar with all Highgate Hotel sales policies and selling techniques, with an emphasis on maximizing occupancy and Average Daily Rate (ADR).
• Conduct professional, thorough site inspections of the hotel with clients, exhibiting key features and benefits.
• Use the property’s computerized sales management system to manage business, including generating reports, entering business, blocking space, and building accounts.
• Meet and greet onsite contacts and abide by Prime Selling Time (PST).
• Develop networking opportunities through active participation in community and professional associations, activities, and events.
• Review meeting planner evaluations with the Director of Sales to ensure follow-up on issues.
• Entertain clients and handle inquiries as part of the Inquiry Day Program.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Qualifications

• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel-required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts toward productivity, identify problem areas, and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying, and solving them as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information and data from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.