Sales Manager - Catering & Events

IHG Hotels & Resorts; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, seeks a proactive Events Sales professional to drive conference and banquet revenue. You will support the Director of Events, conduct sales activities, and build strong client relationships to secure and grow business for the hotel’s event spaces.

You will manage site inspections, coordinate with Reservations, and assist in budgeting and promotions. Strong knowledge of local business trends and excellent language skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher education qualification.
• Minimum 1 year related experience or 2 years Sales & Marketing/Events Operation experience including management.
• Strong knowledge of local businesses and business trends required.
• Must speak local language(s).

Responsibilities

• Manage all Conference and Banquet operations to achieve revenue targets.
• Support Director of Events in day-to-day operations.
• Conduct sales visits, calls, emails and invites to clients.
• Follow up on enquiries and negotiate terms for events.
• Conduct site inspections and familiarizations.
• Attend trade shows to market event spaces.
• Coordinate banquet functions and group reservations.
• Liaise with Reservations on group room blocks and traveler reservations.
• Prepare and manage department budgets with the Manager.

Skills

Sales experience

Event management

Client liaison

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Property: InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

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.