Catering Manager

HRI Hospitality; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

HRI Hospitality in Richmond, VA seeks a Catering Sales Manager to drive sales for meeting and event space, align with the sales team, and achieve budgeted financial targets. This role supports revenue growth through proactive outreach and meticulous event coordination.

The position requires hotel catering sales experience, strong English communication, and a knack for multi-tasking in a fast-paced downtown environment. Equal opportunity employer and weekend flexibility may apply.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write, and understand English.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including leading and participating in formal presentations.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to cultivate leads, build relationships, and close deals.
• Strong organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge in catering food and beverage service.
• Knowledge in event setups and audio-visual equipment.
• Experience coordinating weddings and social events is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist sales team in achieving and exceeding budgeted goals in food, beverage and room rental revenue, profit and occupancy.
• Conduct weekly sales calls to existing and new accounts and uncover new business.
• Build and strengthen relationships with accounts to enable future bookings.
• Travel locally to conduct outside calls and promote the hotel.
• Generate leads and new business through various channels.
• Arrange site inspections of the hotel for new accounts.
• Maintain accurate sales records in the hotel sales system.
• Respond to sales inquiries within 24 business hours.
• Negotiate catering sales contracts and oversee setup.
• Actively up-sell each catering event to maximize revenue.
• Analyze market trends and develop strategies to maximize function space occupancy.
• Assist in development of annual budget and quarterly owner reviews.
• Coordinate with operations to ensure client satisfaction.
• Create and enhance menus for clients as needed.
• Review banquet orders and daily/weekly reports for accuracy.
• Coordinate client menus, setup, decorations and services as requested.
• Liaise between Banquet staff and GM for timely communication.
• Supervise banquet events, including evenings/weekends.

Skills

English proficiency

Verbal communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Team player

Customer service

Event knowledge

Catering knowledge

Education

College degree or related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Delphi

Job description

250 rooms | 17,634 sq. ft. total event space across 13 meeting rooms

Amenities include: on-site restaurants (La Grotta, 1885 Café & Market), lobby bar (Gather & Hem), indoor pool, fitness center, EV charging, banquet & meeting support.

Located in the heart of Virginia’s capital in the historic Miller & Rhoads building, this hotel is just steps from the Richmond Convention Center and Virginia State Capitol. Blending historic charm with modern amenities, it provides an engaging downtown environment for hospitality professionals serving both business and leisure travelers.

Pay Range:

$58,000.00-$78,000.00JOB SUMMARY
The Catering Sales Manager has the responsibility for the sales efforts and execution of meeting and event space held in the hotel.
The Catering Sales Manager will assist the sales team in meeting or exceeding the hotel’s budgeted financial targets. The Catering Sales Manager is also responsible for meeting assigned monthly sales goals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

• College degree or High School Diploma with related experience.

Experience

• Previous hotel catering sales experience.

Skills and Knowledge

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Must be able to read, write, an understand English.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including leading and participating in formal presentations.

• Strong negotiation skills as well as the ability to cultivate leads, build relations, and close the deal.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.

• Strong computer skills. Microsoft Office, Delphi, other programs as it pertains to this position.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Strong desire to deliver high quality of customer service.

• Detail oriented and organized as it pertains to accuracy and efficiency.

• Good personnel and management and organizational skills.

• Knowledge in catering food and beverage service

• Knowledge in event set ups and audio-visual equipment

• Experience in coordinating weddings and social events is preferred

JOB DUTIES

Assist sales team in achieving and exceeding budgeted goals in food, beverage and room rental revenue, profit and occupancy for the total hotel.

• Effectively communicate with Director of Revenue and/or Director of Sales to review opportunities that impact revenue goals.
• Conduct weekly sales calls to existing and new accounts, as well as uncover new business in assigned market segment(s).
• Build and strengthen relationships with existing and new accounts to enable future bookings. Activities include sales calls, entertainment, trade shows, etc.
• Travel locally to conduct outside calls, promote the hotel and review competition reader boards to develop leads.
• Generate leads and new business through internet searches, telephone and email solicitations, mailings, referrals, networking, trade shows, professional and community organizations, sales, blitzes, etc.
• Arrange site inspections of the hotel for new accounts.
• Maintain accurate sales records in the hotel sales system to provide complete history, ensure future and current quality of service and enhance future prospects.
• Respond to all sales inquiries within 24 business hours.
• Execute and support the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).
• Responsible for negotiating catering sales contracts and the implementation and set up as required.
• Actively and creatively up-sell each catering event to maximize revenue.
• Analyze historical, current and future hotel/market trends and develop strategies to maximize function space occupancy through creative and selective selling.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget and quarterly owner reviews.
• Participate in management meetings to discuss budget and forecast.
• Partner with operations team to coordinate customer specifications, effectively respond to customer issues and comments to ensure customer satisfaction.
• In partnership with the General Manager and Food and Beverage Team, create and enhance menus for clients as needed.
• Review all banquet event orders and the daily/weekly reports to ensure accuracy.
• Assists the client in menu planning; coordinates food, beverage, meeting room set-up, decorations and other services as requested by the client; assures that all requirements are communicated and completed to the client’s specifications.
• Liaison between the Banquet staff and GM to ensure timely communication of client needs.
• Supervise execution of banquet events which may include working on the weekends, evenings or holidays.
• Participate in hotel weekly staff meeting, if applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

HRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‑related requirements_._