Overview
Reporting to the Area Manager, Operations, the Sales Manager, Catering and Event Services is to lead and coordinate the Sales and Marketing efforts for Catering and Event Services, driving revenue growth and maximizing client satisfaction. This role involves managing a team of Sales Coordinators, establishing strategic initiatives to achieve sales targets, and fostering strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. The incumbent is responsible for implementing innovative marketing campaigns and providing leadership and mentorship to the sales team. By actively engaging with clients and continuously seeking improvement opportunities, this position plays a crucial role in enhancing service offerings and promoting a high-performance culture within the department.
This position is contingent on funding.
Role is 100% on campus
Responsibilities
Sales Leadership and Coordination
- Lead and manage a team of Sales Coordinators, providing guidance on scheduling, bookings, and promoting catering and conference services
- Monitor and ensure the achievement of sales targets and KPIs by the Catering and Event Services team through performance management and motivation
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives to meet revenue targets, using market trends and client feedback to improve service offerings
- Conduct regular meetings with clients to showcase available event spaces, both on and off-campus, to foster relationships and maximize bookings
- Continuously engage with clients to understand event requirements, offering personalized solutions and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction
- Verify that all contracts are confirmed by the responsible Sales Coordinator two days prior to the event
- Coach and train Sales Coordinators on best practices for selling and upselling, aligned with internal guidelines
- Lead weekly contract sales meetings, ensuring staff are prepared to present contracts and discuss ongoing business
Sales and Marketing
Spearhead innovative marketing campaigns and promotional strategies to enhance brand visibility and attract new clientsIdentify and pursue business expansion opportunities, including exploring new markets and forming strategic partnerships to drive revenue growthCultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, including university departments, faculty, staff, and external vendors, to maximize business opportunitiesActively engage in business development through outside sales calls, appointments, telemarketing, social media, site tours, and networking activitiesCollaborate with the team to develop strategies for improving unit flow, appearance, marketing materials, and overall atmosphereLeadership Responsibilities
Provide strong leadership to direct reports by setting clear goals, expectations, and alignment with the department’s mission, vision, and valuesOffer comprehensive training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to foster a high-performance team cultureImplement effective performance management processes, including regular reviews, goal setting, and feedback sessions, to drive continuous improvementLead recruitment and onboarding of new team members, ensuring they align with team objectives and organizational cultureFinancial Management
Ensure adherence to budgetary controls and financial procedures in line with departmental goals, while maintaining high guest satisfactionOversee billing accuracy and ensure timely quotes and invoicing to maintain transparent financial reportingMonitor and manage departmental budgets, optimizing resources to meet revenue targets while maintaining cost-effective practicesReview and provide final approval for all contracts prior to invoicing, ensuring any contract cost alterations are properly signed offCollaborate with Food Services Finance department to ensure timely invoicing of contractsCustomer Service
Participate in planning and executing special promotions, theme events, and general marketing initiativesRespond to customer service feedback, issues and requests with tact and resourcefulnessParticipate in planning, managing and executing special projects, and program introductionsActively participate in departmental and other related committees as requiredFollow-up with customers to compile feedback for continuous improvementProvide excellent customer service to both the university community and external clients, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and loyalty through proactive communication and outstanding serviceQualifications
A diploma in Food and Beverage management or equivalent education and work-related experience5 years of recent supervisory experience in hotel, quick service or institutional food service environmentExperience supervising in a unionized environment and working with student employeesExperience with inventory and cash controls, food and labour cost control and providing exceptional customer serviceExcellent written and verbal communication skills and experience in drafting, editing and proofreading under very tight deadlines is requiredUnderstanding of University audience and stakeholder needs, to ensure a quality event experience with strong audience engagementMust have a superior understanding of community relations best practices and event coordinationAbility to exercise proactive project coordination, communicate effectively to project participants who need to understand progress, and identify risks / mitigating strategies before problems occurProven ability to manage high volumes of activity, multiple tasks and constant change while demonstrating the ability to maintain confidentiality, ensuring sensitivity to the needs and interests of a variety of stakeholders and support the functioning of diverse teamsExceptional attention to detail is essentialProficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint requiredA high level of independence is required and excellent judgment in areas of time management, task prioritization and decision-makingDemonstrated ability to thrive in, and contribute to, an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a calm, positive team approach to working with colleagues and ability to take constructive input from stakeholdersKnowledge of communications planning, creative brief development, event marketing and advertising, media relations, and social media are an asset to this role