Catering Sales Manager

Sonesta; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account with Company 1:

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company 1:

Paid Vacation & Sick Time

Free employee parking

Free shift meal

Sonesta Hotel Discounts

Educational Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

Company-Paid Life Insurance

Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term DI

Job summary

Sonesta is seeking a Catering Sales Manager to drive revenue, build lasting client relationships, and craft exceptional event experiences across corporate meetings, weddings, and social gatherings. Partner with Culinary, Banquets, and Operations to ensure flawless execution and memorable guest experiences.

Ideal candidates bring hospitality education, 2+ years in catering or related sales, and strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills in a fast-paced hotel environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Marketing, Business or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of Catering Sales, Hotel Sales, Event Planning, Banquet Sales, or Hospitality Sales experience.
• Strong knowledge of catering operations, banquet services, food & beverage planning, and event management processes.
• Proven ability to drive catering revenue, close sales opportunities, and build long-term client relationships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills with a strong customer service mindset.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple events concurrently.
• Experience with hotel sales systems, CRM platforms, event management software, and banquet event orders (BEOs).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment with professionalism and flexibility.
• Strong collaboration across Operations, Culinary, Banquets, and Sales teams.
• Passion for hospitality, events, and creating memorable guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Drive catering sales revenue through proactive sales activities and client relationship management.
• Manage full catering sales cycle from lead generation to contract negotiation and post-event follow-up.
• Respond to inquiries, prepare proposals, conduct site tours, and build customized event experiences.
• Coordinate corporate meetings, social events, weddings, banquets, conferences, and special events within hotel spaces.
• Partner with Culinary, Banquets, Conference Services, and Operations to ensure flawless execution.

Skills

Relationship building

Event planning

Sales strategy

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

CRM software

Event management software

BEOs (banquet event orders)

Job description

We’re People People. Are you? We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast). With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be. But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

Great events start with great experiences — and our Catering Sales team helps bring those moments to life. As the Catering Sales Manager, you’ll be responsible for driving catering revenue while creating memorable events that guests genuinely love. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on relationship-building, event planning, sales strategy, and creating exceptional hospitality experiences. From corporate meetings and social events to weddings, celebrations, and group dining experiences, you’ll work closely with clients to turn ideas into seamless, unforgettable events. You’ll partner with Banquets, Culinary, Operations, and Sales teams to ensure every detail is executed flawlessly while maximizing catering revenue, guest satisfaction, and repeat business opportunities. If you’re energetic, organized, sales-driven, and passionate about hospitality and events — we’d love to meet you.

What you’ll be doing

• Drive catering sales revenue through proactive sales activities, client relationship management, and event planning initiatives.
• Manage the full catering sales cycle from lead generation and prospecting through contract negotiation, event planning, and post-event follow-up.
• Respond to catering inquiries, prepare proposals, conduct site tours, and build customized event experiences for clients.
• Coordinate corporate meetings, social events, weddings, banquets, conferences, and special events within hotel event spaces.
• Partner closely with Culinary, Banquets, Conference Services, and Operations teams to ensure seamless event execution and exceptional guest experiences.
• Prepare banquet event orders (BEOs), event timelines, room setup details, catering menus, and operational notes with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Identify upselling opportunities for catering packages, food & beverage enhancements, audiovisual services, and hotel accommodations.
• Build strong relationships with local businesses, event planners, vendors, and community partners to generate new business opportunities.
• Monitor catering revenue performance, booking pace, conversion metrics, and event profitability to support hotel revenue goals.
• Conduct client meetings, pre-event planning calls, walkthroughs, and post-event follow-ups to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.
• Maintain accurate sales activity, contracts, event details, and reporting within CRM and hotel sales systems.
• Stay informed on hospitality, catering, wedding, and event industry trends to bring fresh ideas and innovative experiences to clients.
• Any other duties as assigned.

What great looks like

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Marketing, Business, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in Catering Sales, Hotel Sales, Event Planning, Banquet Sales, or Hospitality Sales.
• Strong knowledge of catering operations, banquet services, food & beverage planning, and event management processes.
• Proven ability to drive catering revenue, close sales opportunities, and build long-term client relationships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills with a strong customer service mindset.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Experience working with hotel sales systems, CRM platforms, event management software, and banquet event orders (BEOs).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment while maintaining professionalism and flexibility.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to partner effectively across Operations, Culinary, Banquets, and Sales teams.
• A passion for hospitality, events, food & beverage experiences, and creating memorable moments for guests and clients.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (available the first day of the month after hire date)
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match (match begins after 11 months of employment)
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days (2 weeks of vacation, 6 sick days, 10 paid holidays per year)
• Free employee parking
• Free shift meal
• $60 Shoes for Crew credit per year
• Fun, family environment
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (over 1,200 hotels worldwide)
• Educational Assistance (up to $3,000 per calendar year)
• Paid Parental Leave (2 weeks paid leave)
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Educational Assistance
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these )

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.