Conference & Events Sales Executive

Compass Group PLC; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering and hospitality company in Manchester seeks a Conference & Events Sales Executive to manage all aspects of event bookings and drive corporate sales. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication and customer service skills, as well as a track record in sales. This role offers competitive benefits including free meals and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Free meals

Onsite free car parking

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programmes

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Food shop discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards programme

Free wellness classes

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Self-motivated with a proven track record in sales.
• Ability to maintain focus and meet sales targets.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all aspects of conference and event bookings.
• Conduct customer show rounds and site visits.
• Manage internal client bookings and diary management.
• Ensure all invoices and contracts are accurate and issued on time.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Sales skills

Attention to detail

Initiative

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database management

Job description

Overview

As the Conference & Events Sales Executive you will take the lead in coordinating all aspects of the conference and event bookings for the venue, handle enquiry handling and conversion of bookings from reactive sales enquiries. Manage internal client bookings. You will support and work closely with the Business Development Manager with driving new business from the local corporate market across all market segments to ensure venue sales targets and standards are achieved. The role will include conducting site visits through to meeting customers to establish final details whilst ensuring every customer receives a high standard of service from start to finish. Accountable for ensuring all event orders and supporting documents are detailed and accurate before handing over to the operations team as well as ensuring that invoices are raised, and payments received in line with company payment terms. You will be proactive in gaining and responding to customer feedback and securing repeat bookings through post event calls.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking reactive sales activities including handling voice and email enquiries
• Producing professional and accurate proposals, providing best options first time to customers, within agreed response times.
• Following up on all enquiries within a specific timescale with the aim to convert to confirmed bookings and ensuring conversion rates of incoming sales enquiries and bookings are optimised
• Diary management including internal client bookings
• Conducting customer show rounds and showcasing the venue for specific events and future opportunities.
• On confirmation of bookings, issuing contracts and invoices in line with Restaurant Associates agreed sales processes and timelines.
• Responsible for planning and co-ordinating all details of events taking place in the venue. Maintain accurate, up to date customer booking details and information for events.
• Producing accurate and detailed event orders and supporting documents.
• Ensuring all final invoices are issued on time and accurate, with payments received in line with terms and conditions. Adhering to full pre-payment policy to ensure clear debt account.
• Liaising with operations team for successful delivery of event; leading weekly BEO meeting
• Be fully aware of sales activity, initiatives and promotions of competitors and use this market intelligence, acting upon it to ensure venue obtains its market share
• Achieving agreed sales and upselling targets
• Attending and contributing to weekly sales meetings
• Attending weekly sales forecast calls and sales review meetings, when required
• Always responding positively and efficiently to customers, ensuring repeat business is optimized. Rebook calls post event to secure repeat business.
• Supporting with proactive calls focusing on past bookers, lost and turned down enquiries and lapsed accounts.
• Participating in fam trips and showcase events, as required
• Participating in central sales campaigns and initiatives
• Maintaining Delphi compliance benchmark
• Maintaining Sandown mystery shopper benchmark
• Demonstrating a "can do" approach.
• Contribution to the achievement of the C&E sales budget
• Reactive enquiry handling for the venue including internal client bookings
• Conversion of incoming sales enquiries and bookings
• Event planning and coordination of all C&E events
• Ensure all invoices are generated, distributed and paid in line with T&Cs
• Accurate sales reports/forecasts and achievement of venue performance
• Monthly compliance checks in line with company standards
• To perform ad hoc tasks as directed
• Must be aware and competent in C&E sales processes
• Be able to establish positive working relationships and communicate effectively
• Accomplished in venue show rounds and customer appointments
• Must show initiative, drive and ambition to deliver and be a confident decision maker
• Self-motivated and ability to maintain focus in the achievement of sales targets
• Good understanding of database management and be competent in Microsoft
• Demonstrate a thorough approach to work and show great attention to detail
• Have excellent communication and customer service skills
• A generally outgoing personality and enjoy social interaction
• Be an effective team player

Benefits

• Free meals
• Onsite free car parking
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes