Catering Sales Manager | Full -Time | Grand River Conference Center

Oak View Group; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

401(k) matching

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Oak View Group is seeking a Catering Sales Manager for the Grand River Conference Center in Dubuque to drive event sales and execution for groups up to 50 attendees and weddings. You will guide clients on rates, catering, and services, prepare contracts, and coordinate planning and on-site execution with the events team.

Responsibilities include upselling food and beverage, managing BEOs, and serving as the lead sales contact for specific groups; a Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years in B2B sales

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in sales, marketing, or related field.
• 3-5 years of business-to-business sales experience, preferably in weddings, conventions, or events.
• Strong computer skills in Windows and MS Office; industry software helpful.

Responsibilities

• Promote venue services and finalize booking arrangements.
• Design floor layouts and manage weddings from sales to event end.
• Prepare and issue Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and contracts.
• Serve as primary sales contact for groups ~50 attendees.

Skills

Event sales

B2B sales

Negotiation

Communication

MS Office

Venue software

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Sales/Marketing

Tools

MS Office

Venue software

Job description

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

Position Summary

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for the sales and service of events for groups up to approximately 50 people, along with all wedding events. The position will also assist in the overall execution of the Grand River Center’s sales initiatives. The Catering Sales Manager will work with clients to advise about rates, catering, and services; preparation and execution of event contracts; planning, coordination, and execution of events in the assigned market segment. Strong verbal and written communication skills, the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously, to be self-governed and self-motivated, and to possess a basic understanding of banquet and catering sales, public relations, advertising, and special event planning and execution are essential. The Catering Sales Manager is an intricate part of the event team and is expected to recognize the value and benefits of teamwork. Open lines of communication within the team are vital to its success and that of the company.

This role pays an annual salary of $45,000 - $50,000

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 11, 2026

About The Venue

The Grand River Conference Center is a full-service meeting and event facility located in the heart of downtown Dubuque, Iowa. Newly renovated in 2020, featuring over 40,000+ square feet of meeting space and 30,000+ square feet of exhibition space for events up to 2,000.

Responsibilities

• Performs related work as assigned by the Director of Sales & Marketing and the Director of Events & Catering.
• Meets specified goals and objectives for venue usage by promoting the convention center to all potential clients, conducting venue tours, answering questions and providing information regarding venue services, policies, and procedures, and assisting clients in finalizing booking arrangements.
• Design floor layouts on venue software.
• Manage weddings from the sales portion through the end of the event.
• Create and distribute accurate Banquet Event Orders (BEO)
• Advance, plan, service, and manage all weddings.
• Primary sales contact for all groups expecting approximately 50 or fewer attendees.
• Set appointments and make outside calls to potential clients.
• Make solicitation calls and assist with promotions and direct mail activities.
• Researches, identifies, and establishes the appropriateness of groups for the venue.
• Attend industry events and tradeshows as may be required.
• Prepare event contracts, sales folders, sales kits, and correspondence to clients.
• Enter and maintain complete and accurate information into the booking system.
• Works with clients and facility staff to determine event needs and opportunities for upselling food and beverages and other services offered by the facility.
• Work a flexible schedule, including long nights, early mornings, weekends & holidays as needed.
• Complete all duties with a customer service focus through teamwork & dedication to OVG’s principles.
• Assist in the preparation of building to meet the requirements of upcoming events/shows.
• Participates in the development of newsletters and other marketing materials.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, memoranda, agreements, and forecast projections.
• Provide assistance and staff support to the Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Prepare and deliver verbal presentations to groups of various sizes.
• Communicate clearly and concisely with clients and team members.
• Working as a Manager on Duty (MOD) as required.
• Analyzing competitors and target markets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in sales, marketing, or other related fields.
• 3-5 years of increasingly responsible experience in business-to-business sales required, preferable with a wedding venue, sports facility, convention center, performing arts facility, or other multi-purpose public assembly facility.
• Previous experience in weddings, conventions, banquets, entertainment, and tradeshows/meetings with responsibility for scheduling, arranging, and promoting meetings, lectures, exhibits, conventions, concerts, or other related events is preferred.
• Strong computer skills in the Windows environment and MS Office applications. Training on industry software will be provided.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and select holidays as required, in addition to normal business hours if needed.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.