Sales Manager - Catering & Events

IHG Hotels & Resorts; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IHG Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Conference & Banquet Sales professional to manage daily operations, drive revenue, and nurture client relationships in Kuala Lumpur. You will coordinate with multiple departments, conduct client visits, and participate in trade shows to promote event spaces.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, plus 1+ year related experience or 2+ years in Sales/Marketing/Events with leadership exposure. Local language skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
• 1+ year related experience or 2+ years in Sales/Marketing/Events operation with leadership exposure.
• Strong knowledge of local business trends.

Responsibilities

• Manages all functions of Conference and Banquet operations to hit revenue targets.
• Support Director of Events in daily operations for smooth teamwork.
• Conducts client visits, calls, letters, emails and invites clients to visit the hotel.
• Follows up on enquiries and analyzes historical statistics.
• Entertains clients to secure business and strengthen relationships.
• Negotiate terms for sale of conference and banqueting services.
• Conduct site inspections and familiarization tours.
• Attend trade shows and exhibitions to market event spaces.
• Develop and maintain leads from various channels; maintain regular sales calls.
• Coordinate with Reservations for group room blocks and traveler reservations.
• Assist in event coordination and budget management; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Sales & Marketing

Events operation

Management experience

Local business knowledge

Languages

Education

Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent

Job description

Your Day To Day

• Manages all functions of the Conference and Banquet operations to achieve the optimum departmental revenue targets.


• Support Director of Events in managing the day to day to ensure smooth team operations.


• Conducts sales visits, telephone calls, writes letters, sends emails and extends invitations to clients to visit the hotel.


• Follows up on all enquiries.


• Analyses historical and other statistical information.


• Entertain clients with the object to secure business or strengthen ties when required.


• Negotiate terms pertinent to the sale of conference and banqueting services.


• Conduct site inspections and tour familiarizations.


• Conduct client interviews.


• Attends trade shows, exhibition to market & promote event spaces when required.


• Establish leads from newspapers, magazines, relevant industry documents and follow up.


• Maintain a regular pattern of sales calls.


• Maintain regular contact with IHG regional hotels and Key Accounts Sales team networks.


• Monitor competitor activities and use information when developing strategies.


• Develop and maintain contact with business generations, meeting and convention planners, visitors/convention Bureau/ travel agents, tour operators, airlines, corporate accounts, Government Departments and other producers closely allied to hotel business.


• Assist in the co-ordination of conference sales/promotional events and activities.


• Assist in the operation of banquet functions.


• Issuance of Banquet Event Order & Group Resume on timely manner.


• Liaise with Reservations on group room block and individual travellers reservations.


• Conducts daily briefings and other meetings as needed to obtain optimal results.


• Handles administrative works and keeps up-dated files on the following Conference matters including:




• Past, present and future events.


• Menus and beverage lists.


• Finance.


• Standards.


• Personnel and Training.


• Entertainment.


• Meetings.


• Other hotels Conference and Banqueting operations.


• Projects.


• Material and Equipment.


• Miscellaneous.


• Liaise with the Purchasing Manager for any purchases needed for the Events department.


• Liaise with the Graphic Department and Print Shop or external agencies to produce art work and printed material needed for the Conference department.


• Monitors local competitors and compare their operation with his/her operation.


• Solicits business and follow up on referrals and potential sales leads.


• Keeps aware of trends, systems, practices and equipment in audio visual through trade literature, hotel show and site visits.


• Works with Manager in the preparation and management of the Department’s budget.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We Need From You

• Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent


• Minimum of 1 years related experience or 2 years Sales & Marketing/ Events Operation experience including management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Strong knowledge of local businesses and business trends required.


• Must speak local language(s).


• Other languages preferred.