Sales & Events Planning Manager

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Atherstone; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality provider is seeking a Sales & Event Planning Manager to drive event sales and coordinate bookings for various occasions at two venues. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of hospitality sales experience, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage client interactions effectively. This role comes with a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Free meals

Onsite free car parking

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programmes

Digital GP and healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Discounts on groceries and cinema tickets

Cash rewards on spending

Wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in hospitality sales.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Initiative, commitment, drive, and ambition.
• Experience achieving KPIs and business strategy development.
• Attention to detail and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive event sales and coordinate bookings for events.
• Maintain CRM system accurately.
• Identify opportunities for sales growth.
• Communicate with internal and external clients.
• Ensure compliance with profit protection policies.

Skills

Hospitality sales experience

Customer service skills

Relationship building

Decision making

Database management

Tools

Salesforce Delphi

Microsoft suite

Job description

Overview

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Job Title: Sales & Event Planning Manager

Location: 50/50 split between Twycross Zoo and RAF Cosford

Salary: Up to £38,000 per annum

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Role

As Sales Event Planning Manager you will be responsible for driving event sales and coordinating all aspects of conference, event, and wedding bookings for the venue(s), ensuring all details are accurate, sales opportunities are maximised, and customer service is of the highest standard. You will take a proactive approach to maximise events including meetings, conferences, dinners, weddings and social occasions. The role requires thorough working knowledge of key market segments and key clients within each venue location, ensuring conversion rates are optimised and financial targets are achieved. Knowledge of networking groups in and around the region is essential, as is undertaking proactive appointments and customer site visits. The position will be responsible for producing the annual sales plan, creating engaging packages to achieve each venue budget. You will ensure all event details are collated in a timely manner, event orders and supporting documents are detailed and accurate and distributed to the Operations Team within the agreed timelines. You will also ensure invoices are raised and payments received in line with company payment terms. The role is a 50:50 split between reactive and proactive sales for both venues.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the delivery of the C&E sales & marketing strategy for each venue through proactive appointments and research.
• Identifying opportunities for C&E sales growth and working collaboratively with the teams to implement.
• Communicating and building solid relationships with internal clients and external customers to aid future retention and business.
• Maintaining CRM system (Salesforce Delphi) to company standards ensuring all customer profiles and booking information is accurately recorded and all packages/items/menus are up to date.
• Knowledge of sales activity and promotions of competitors and always take a proactive approach to doing things differently to stay ahead of the competition.
• Reactive sales activities including handling enquiries & producing proposals, providing best options first time to customers within agreed response times.
• Diary management including internal client bookings, communication of maintenance plans etc.
• Proactively following up enquiries & proposals, arranging and conducting customer show rounds as required.
• Taking responsibility for upselling strategy and achieving agreed upselling sales targets.
• Overseeing the production, distribution, and communication of accurate and detailed event orders; liaising with operations team for successful delivery of event; leading weekly BEO meeting.
• Actively encouraging and using customer feedback to gain repeat bookings as well as building action plans for continuous improvement.
• Ensuring payments are received in line with company payment terms, SAP/Delphi process is accurately followed and if applicable debt is managed efficiently and effectively.
• Being compliant with all aspects of profit protection.
• All event costs are accurately recorded and communicated to General Manager and any procurement is made via the approved suppliers and channels.
• All events T&Cs are adhered to, and appropriate documentation is received.
• Leading event planning meetings with set agenda and actions.
• Attending weekly sales forecast calls and sales review meetings, when required.
• Producing promotional and marketing collateral for seasonal packages including contribution to theming ideas and package inclusions, e.g. Christmas.
• Keeping website, online directories, and where applicable social media channels up to date with current packages, images and seasonal offers.
• Participating in local networking events, relevant fam trips and showcases.
• Being commercially aware to make informed decisions that contribute to profitability expectations.

The Ideal Candidate

• Must have a minimum of 3 years' experience in hospitality sales.
• Be able to establish positive working relationships and communicate effectively at all levels.
• Must show initiative, commitment, drive, and ambition to deliver and be a confident decision maker.
• Self-motivated with a strong desire to strive for continuous improvement and focus on achieving sales targets.
• Experienced in achieving KPIs and developing business strategy to achieve growth expectations.
• Solid understanding of database management and be competent in Microsoft suite.
• Demonstrate a thorough approach to work and show great attention to detail.
• Have excellent customer service skills.
• Be an effective team player.
• Outgoing and entrepreneurial personality with drive to succeed.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Free meals
• Onsite free car parking
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes for development
• Digital GP and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with major providers
• Discounts on groceries
• Discounts on cinema tickets
• Cash rewards on spend across a wide range of brands
• Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• Discounts to share with friends and families

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with partners and collaborate with clients to achieve great things together. Our teams strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplaces as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Job Reference: com/0909/92635001/52756993/R/SU #RAVenues

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!