Convention Services Manager

Sonesta Hotels; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 82,009,000 - 103,272,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) Match

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Hotel Discounts

Educational Assistance

Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels is seeking a Sales/Catering events manager to coordinate conferences, meetings, and group activities booked through the sales department. You will provide strategic vision, ensure tactical execution, and actively manage the department to reach revenue goals.

The role involves servicing clients, negotiating terms, coordinating with hotel departments, and driving client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Some college plus 1-2 years sales or marketing related experience.
• Knowledge of hotel sales and/or catering preferred.
• Must speak fluent English.
• Track record of delivering exceptional guest and client experience.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved guidelines.
• Assist client in menu planning, F&B coordination, table arrangements, and VIP services.
• Work with sales staff to service and solicit new business; upsell events and manage room blocks.
• Coordinate with other hotel departments to fulfill client requirements.
• Prepare and distribute Banquet Event Orders and contracts; ensure accuracy with client needs.
• Conduct site tours and entertain qualified clients per policy; follow up post-event for repeat bookings.

Skills

Fluent English

Sales experience

Hospitality knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Some college

Job description

We’re Sonesta International Hotels.
The 8th largest hotel company in the U.S.—and growing fast.

An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect.

Together We Thrive —bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting.

Job Description Summary

Manage and coordinate all conferences, meetings, group functions and group activities booked through the sales department.

Sonesta managers are charged with providing strategic vision, ensuring tactical execution, and actively managing their department to achieve the company’s revenue and profitability goals and objectives.

Work Environment

The person in this role works mostly in a service environment, with some office time reserved for administrative tasks.

Job Description

Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:

Operational/Functional:

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines. Confirm in writing to the client and all affected hotel departments all group requirements via sales contract terms, addendums, confirmation of pricing, group resumes, and/or banquet event order.
• As needed, assist the client in menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow, room set-up, group room blocks and VIP services, etc.
• Work with sales staff to service and solicit new business. Up-sell client events and manage function space and room block inventory as assigned.
• Work closely with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
• Report and communicate Meeting event needs between the client and hotel.
• Prepare and distribute amenity request forms for specified clients. Obtain designated approvals and follow-up on delivery.
• Check function room set ups prior to guest arrival, ensuring all details are in agreement with client’s requirements and hotel standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by appropriate personnel.
• Welcome group contact upon arrival at function and ensure guest satisfaction.
• Monitor and ensure all functions are set up, refreshed, and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and departmental procedures.
• Work in a timely manner to executive and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and contracts as designated by sales.
• Conduct hotel and banquet facility tours and entertain qualified clients in accordance with company and property policies.
• Follow up with clients regularly during and after departure to ensure satisfaction and secure future bookings.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include all hotel departments.
• Interact with outside contacts:

Guests – to ensure their total satisfaction

Airlines, wholesalers, corporate accounts, travel agencies, ad agencies, etc. – to ensure repeat business, follow up on events, and generate new business

Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups).

• May perform other duties as assigned.

Strategy and Planning:

• May assist in developing and implement sales actions plan as assigned.

Financial Management:

• Maintain client files and update information daily in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures.
• Review daily postings of charges to master accounts of clients and resolve any discrepancies, or process necessary adjustments.
• Review final bill prior to presenting to client.
• Complete post-conference reports of events for senior management and complete other reports as needed or requested.
• Assist in the preparation of the departmental budget and implementation of the hotel’s catering and conference strategy.

Leading with Passion

• Responsible for ensuring success through the eyes of employees, guests, and owners
• Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate office
• Capable of influencing employees to perform to their highest standard and establishing a trusting environment to enrich the culture
• Focus on the mission and well-being of the department, hotel, and company as a whole
• Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect
• Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate our values and GUEST People Standards

Qualifications and Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Some College plus 1-2 years sales or marketing related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of hotel sales and/or catering preferred.
• Must speak fluent English.
• Track record of delivering exceptional guest and client experience
• Frequently standing up or moving within and outside of the facility
• Carrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds
• Handling objects
• Bending, stooping, kneeling
• Communication skills are utilized a significant amount of time when interacting with others; demonstrated ability to interact with guests, employees and third parties that reflects highly on the hotel, the brand and the Company.
• Reading and writing abilities are utilized often when completing paperwork and management reports, interpreting results, and giving and receiving instructions.
• Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances are utilized frequently.
• Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are used often.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Appropriate professional appearance and demeanor

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Pay range is $28.62 to $36.06 and are eligible for a Bonus Plan.

The base pay offered may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and specific/overall experience.

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

Health Savings Account with Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Sonesta Hotel Discounts

Educational Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

Company Paid Life Insurance

Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Various Employee Perks and Discounts

Hospital Indemnity

Critical Illness Insurance

Accident Insurance

_ Go Beyond @SonestaHotels _

_ WHO WE ARE _

We are an organization made up of people, thoughts and ideas – all working towards fulfilling our simple mission: To wow every guest, team member, partner & community we operate in by delivering quality, value & amazing hospitality.

We will achieve our mission by being passionate about exceeding expectations - by being persistent, resilient, and constantly seeking new and creative ways to succeed. Doing the Right Thing and Going Beyond are our principles that guide everything we do.

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.

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.