Catering - Event Sales Associate

SSA Consulting Group; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-Demand Pay

Meal Plan & Employee Discounts

401(k) with company match

Bereavement Leave

Holiday pay

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SSA Group, LLC is seeking an Event Sales Associate in the United States to deliver warm, welcoming experiences for guests and clients while supporting the Catering Sales Team across events.

You will assist with daily duties, handle inquiries, upsell, prepare contracts and BEOs, coordinate with Operations and Culinary teams, and ensure all payments are collected in full. The role requires flexibility and strong communication in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Event planning or hospitality experience preferred.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Knowledge of space feasibility and yield management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, memorable experiences for guests and clients.
• Assist Event Sales Coordinator with daily duties.
• Prepare contracts, BEOs, diagrams and other internal documents.
• Coordinate with Catering Operations, Culinary Team and other departments to ensure events run smoothly.
• Ensure deposits and all event payments are collected in full.
• Maintain professional and timely communication with clients.
• Promote an inclusive and sustainable approach in line with SSA guidelines.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Team building

Problem solving

Organization

Flexibility

Computer skills

Tools

BEO knowledge

Job description

Who are we: At SSA, we believe our work matters because the people do. For more than 50 years, we've helped create experiences that leave people feeling connected, inspired, and reminded that fun still matters. Whether you're looking for your first job, building your career, or bringing years of experience to a new role, you'll be part of a team that values your ideas, supports your growth, and encourages you to make an impact. More than 54% of our leaders are promoted from within, reflecting our commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities to succeed.

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey. Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Event Sales Associate

Position Title: Event Sales Associate

Reports to: Event Sales Coordinator and Catering Sales Manager(s)

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Assist Event Sales Coordinator with daily duties and tasks.
• Handle all birthday inquiries.
• Upsell and detail the event with the client.
• Prepare contracts, BEO’s, diagrams and other internal documents.
• Provide thorough and timely communication with clients.
• Constant and thorough communication and collaboration with Catering Operations, Culinary Team and any other departments involved in the event to ensure events are executed with operational excellence.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of space feasibility, maximizing space usage and yield management.
• Remain knowledgeable of and manage in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Knowledge of menu & event planning.
• Secure deposits and all event payments are made in full prior to each event.
• Professional and positive communication to both guests and fellow employees.
• Administrative support as needed for the Catering Sales Team.
• Responsible for post event follow up, engagement and continued client development.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Catering Manager(s) or General Manager.
• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach at the Unit.
• Supports unit in being an example for Company & Client guidelines with regard to Sustainability/Conservation efforts. Displays knowledge of efforts in business application.
• Supports SSA / Unit in driving community effort, engagement activities, and focus on opportunities of giving back.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

IDEA + Belonging

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back.

Job Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, General Manager and HQ personnel.
• Understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Previous Experience

• Event planning experience in off-site catering, hotel or cultural attraction catering venue preferred, but not required.
• BEO knowledge and execution a must.
• All education backgrounds eligible.
• Must be 18 or older.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Compensation And Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.

Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).

Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act.

Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

We accept applications for this position on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed as received, and the position remains open until filled.