Catering Sales Manager

Starwood Hotels; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Starwood Hotels in Austin is seeking a Catering Sales Manager to lead luxury events sales, planning and execution from inquiry through contract, with a focus on maximizing revenue and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

You will develop creative menus, coordinate with operations, and negotiate terms to meet revenue targets while upholding brand standards. The role requires strong leadership, hospitality expertise, and a proven track record in luxury hotel sales.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in a field related to this profession; 2 years of experience in a comparable position.
• Detailed Events and Food & Beverage knowledge; strong leadership and selling skills; proven achievements in selling, optimizing guest and team member engagement and financial performance.
• Strong time management skills.
• Well versed in Events and Food & Beverage financial aspects.
• Experience leading in a fast-paced environment and prioritizing demands.
• Strong interpersonal and guest relations abilities, a flexible, dynamic and positive demeanor.
• Must function optimally in a team environment.
• Well versed in Sales & Marketing and Revenue Management financial aspects.
• Ability to identify and solve problems.
• Professional & appropriate business appearance and demeanor aligned with the 1 Hotel brand and culture.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Preferred prior experience in a quality luxury hotel brand; specifically in Sales & Marketing.
• Preferred prior experience with Delphi and HMS or similar Property Management System.
• Knowledge of hotel structure and interaction between departments.
• Flexibility to meet the demands of a 24-hour operation.

Responsibilities

• Achieve individual and team revenue goals for meetings, events and F&B functions.
• Develop and execute a sales strategy to prospect new accounts and grow existing ones.
• Solicit and win new business through outside calls, site inspections, and events.
• Sell catering menus meeting client needs while maximizing revenue.
• Coordinate with departments to plan events and ensure service quality.
• Prepare and review contracts, estimates, and banquet event orders.
• Review function rooms for brand standards and client requirements.
• Monitor guest feedback and adjust actions to improve engagement and revenue.
• Identify market trends and introduce new products to stay competitive.
• Lead and inspire team members; maintain open collaboration.
• Ensure payment guarantees and contract changes are completed.
• Maintain relationships with clients and drive repeat business.

Skills

Events & F&B knowledge

Leadership

Sales skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Guest relations

Teamwork

Sales & Marketing

Revenue management finance

Problem solving

Professionalism

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Luxury hotel sales & marketing

Delphi

HMS

PMS familiarity

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in a related field

Diploma in related field would be a plus

Tools

Delphi

HMS

Job description

Grow with us...

Life at Starwood Hotels is based on a simple idea: the world is beautiful and we want to keep it that way. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why hiring thoughtful and inspiring Team Members and Leaders who understand that our people, collaboration, stellar service, and respect for nature are so important to us.

If you’re the kind of person who never says no to a party, you’re speaking our language. We’re currently seeking an exuberant Catering Sales Manager to join the team .

Ideally, you’re a luxury events pro and a natural salesperson who brings it all to life for our clients. That means developing creative ways to maximize profit, achieving set revenue goals, and supporting the financial, business and marketing objectives for meetings, parties and other gatherings. Of course, you’re great at talking to anyone, and you mean every word, too.

(Inside Tip: Creativity and imagination are both major +s.)

Main Duties

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for achieving set individual and team revenue goals that support the hotels financial, business and marketing objectives for the sale, planning and coordination of group meetings, social events and planned food and beverage functions. Consistently strive to maximize revenue and promote hotel relationships through effective negotiation of services and prices in the property’s continuing effort to deliver outstanding guest service and financial profitability.

General Duties

• Responsible for achieving individual and team revenue goals by developing and executing a sales strategy to prospect and solicit new accounts and further develop existing accounts.
• Target and win over business via outside sales calls, hosting site inspections and meeting planner meetings, cold calling and emailing, networking, attending industry and association events. Prospect, solicit and close new business as well as maintain repeat client’s needs and maximize revenues. Handle all major events and VIP clients.
• Sell catering menus which meet the client’s needs and maximize revenues and periodically review and adjust menus to ensure product and brand consistency.
• Ensure regular, ongoing communication occurs (e.g. daily rallies, divisional/departmental meetings, attendance at regular and ad hoc hotel meetings). Attend departmental and sales meetings to review activity and performance.
• Meet with clients to work out the details of their functions. Escort clients through the property and highlight features of facility as well as available services. Consult in full service event planning and finalize contracts, estimate sheets with clients in accordance with standards.
• Work closely with operational departments in planning and coordination of events and to establish policy standards, procedures, operational guidelines, service standards, menu and product ideas. Ensure proper controls are in place and polices are established and followed by all team members.
• Confirm payment, guarantees, set-ups and signed contracts and changes with clients.
• Generate and distribute detailed Banquet Event Orders according to client contract.
• Review and inspect function rooms and displays for conformance to brand standards and client requirements.
• Monitor guest feedback and performance data to optimize guest engagement and retention and take appropriate corrective action.
• Stay informed of market trends and introduce new products and services to drive guest engagement, increase revenue and ensure a competitive position in the market.
• Identify opportunities to optimize performance and create value by challenging existing processes, encouraging innovation and driving necessary change.
• Establish and maintain open, collaborative relationships and ensure direct reports do the same.
• Utilize interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence and inspire others; advocate sound business decisions; demonstrate honesty and integrity; lead by example.

Qualifications & Skills

• A post-secondary diploma or degree in a field of study related to this profession; 2 years of experience in a comparable position and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Detailed Events and Food and Beverage knowledge; demonstrated strong leadership and selling skills; and proven achievements in selling, optimizing guest and team member engagement and financial performance.
• Requires strong time management skills.
• Well versed in Events and Food & Beverage financial aspects
• Experience successfully leading in a fast-paced environment and prioritizing demands.
• Strong interpersonal and guest relations abilities, a flexible, dynamic and positive demeanor.
• Must function optimally in a team environment.
• Well versed in Sales & Marketing and Revenue Management financial aspects.
• Ability to identify and solve problems.
• Professional & appropriate business appearance and demeanor aligned with the 1 Hotel brand and culture.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Preferred prior experience in a quality luxury hotel brand; specifically in Sales & Marketing.
• Preferred prior experience with Delphi and HMS or similar Property Management System.
• Knowledge of hotel structure and interaction between departments.
• Flexibility to meet the demands of a 24-hour operation.

Due to the nature of the hospitality industry, employees are required to work varying schedules, including holidays, to accommodate the business and demands of the hotel

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor.

About You...

Passionate about hospitality and food & beverage with a minimum of 4 years of similar work experience.

A post-secondary diploma or degree would be a plus.

An expert in Catering & Events, a strong leader, natural salesperson and a proven track record in guest and team member engagement and financial performance.

Excels at communication, both verbal and written.

Flexible and willing to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, weekends and holidays

About Us...

As a mission-driven company, our purpose is our true north, and our compass guides the way. The purpose we live by impacts the lives of our team members, drives the experiences for our guests, builds community with like-minded travelers and takes care of the planet we live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management company and affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group.

Starwood Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in a diverse, sustainable workforce with an empowered, inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis covered under applicable law. If you require any special accommodations, please visit People Operations.