Convention Services Manager

Sonesta International Hotels; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company M–

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Sonesta Hotel Discounts

Educational Assistance

Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels is seeking a Convention Services Manager to ensure flawless banquet and catering event execution and maximize profitability. You will coordinate group assignments from Sales, monitor room blocks, and manage contracts with clients across multiple departments.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in hotel sales/catering, strong negotiation and presentation skills, and the ability to upsell and meet revenue goals in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of sales/catering experience in a hotel with at least 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
• Experienced in client negotiation, upselling, enforcing deadlines, reviewing room blocks.
• Deep understanding of Corporate and Association group markets.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in sales systems (Delphi.fdc) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Professional presence and ability to represent the hotel brand with authenticity and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Maintain strong client relations and ensure convention specs are executed for successful meetings.
• Manage room blocks and contract terms to maximize hotel revenue.
• Review contracts, block details, cutoff dates, concessions, and attrition with clients.
• Forecast group rooms and F&B revenues for assigned groups and upsell bookings.
• Distribute convention resumes and BEOs 10–14 days before events.
• Coordinate site visits and Pre/Post Convention meetings with clients.
• Lead meetings and communicate updates to hotel departments.
• Perform other duties to support hotel operations.

Skills

Bachelor's degree preferred

5+ years sales/catering in hotel

Client negotiation experience

Corporate/Association group markets

Excellent negotiation/communication/pq

Strong organizational skills

Proficient in Delphi.fdc and MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality/Business

Tools

Delphi.fdc

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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

The Convention Services Manager is responsible for ensuring the successful execution of banquet and catering events in the hotel's continuing effort to deliver outstanding guest service and financial profitability. Manage, coordinate, and execute group assignments turned over by the Sales Department. Monitor all contractual agreements pertaining to guest room blocks, meeting space, food and beverage and special concessions. Effectively communicate to all hotel departments the information necessary to successfully execute the group's needs and manage expectations while maintaining a good client relationship. Able to negotiate banquet/catering (Food/Beverage/AV/Ancillary Revenues) sales to meet / exceed departmental revenue goals.

Job Description

• Maintain strong client relations and ensure that convention specifications are communicated and executed in a timely and accurate manner for a successful meeting experience for the meeting planner and attendees.
• Monitor and manage room blocks according to contract utilizing group history reports and information given by clients to maximize hotel revenue, adjusting Room Blocks as necessary.
• Review sales contracts as well as other important information, i.e., room block, cutoff date, special concessions, and attrition clauses and validate with client via turnover letter.
• Monitor program deadline dates and work with clients to release meeting space not needed to maximize hotel revenues.
• Produce and distribute convention resume according to departmental standards prior to the first day of main group arrival and communicate any changes and updated information to hotel departments.
• Distribute BEOs for group and affiliates 10 - 14 days prior to events, and/or according to departmental standards.
• Accurately forecast group rooms and group food and beverage revenues for assigned groups and affiliate business. Upsell all bookings per group assigned. Drive Banquet and Catering Revenues to achieve departmental goals.
• Check sleeping room and suite block, special room concessions and rates as outlined in contract with group reservations agents, as well as updating group reservations agents with any changes. Verify credit information submitted in account management software system at point of turnover, to include estimated amount of billing, billing type, and appropriate contact and update information as necessary until departure.
• Participate in site visits and plan meetings for upcoming groups and potential affiliate business. Participate in Pre/Post Convention meetings and review bill with client.
• Serve on-site group and catering clients and respond to questions about the event including, but not limited to, group room blocks, food and beverage, the function space, ancillary and vendor services, affiliates/exhibitors and related billing processes
• Monitor and assess service and satisfaction trends, evaluate and address issues and make improvements accordingly
• Respond to guest inquiries and special requests and resolve issues and concerns in a timely, friendly and efficient manner
• Prepare reports, correspondence and analysis related to group activity
• Lead, facilitate and participate in meetings, as needed
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The employee is expected to work in other areas of the hotel when needed to assist operations to perform job duties not necessarily contained in this job description.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of sales/catering experience in a hotel with at least 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
• Experienced in client negotiation, (upselling, enforcing deadlines, reviewing room blocks)
• Deep understanding of Corporate and Association group markets.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in sales systems (e.g., Delphi.fdc) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Professional presence and ability to represent the hotel brand with authenticity and integrity.

Core Competencies

• Results-driven with a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.
• Relationship-focused with a strong customer-service orientation.
• Strategic thinker who can balance short-term wins with long-term growth.
• Collaborative team player with leadership qualities.

Work Environment

This position works in an office environment. Must have reliable transportation in order to make sales calls and attend events.

Physical Demands

• Standing/sitting for extended periods of time and moving about the hotel.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Expected Hours of Work

• Ten-to-twelve-hour shifts are sometimes required.
• Must be flexible to attend Tradeshows and or client entertainment events that require travel.

Leading with Passion

• Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate offices.
• Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.
• Inspire your coworkers to embrace and demonstrate Sonesta’s core values and the guest service standards.

OUR MISSION

To WOW EVERY Guest, Team member, Partner and Community in which we operate by delivering quality, value and amazing hospitality.

DO THE RIGHT THING!

Living our culture of caring is central to the Sonesta way. Respect and care for all is practiced daily. Prioritizing new ideas, beliefs and background is how we create deep connections with each other.

CORE VALUES

Treat Each Other with Respect: Seek to understand other points of view.

Commit: Actively participate, bring other along.

Be Authentic: Genuine and sincere.

Communicate Openly, Honestly and Clearly: Direct communication and feedback is offered.

GO BEYOND! We are passionate about exceeding expectations - for our guest, our employees, and our owners. We are persistent and resilient, and constantly seek new and creative ways to succeed and win.

Exceed Expectations: Drive for results.

Hold Yourself and others Accountable: Set clear expectations, observe deadlines.

Continuously Improve: Evaluate, take time to reflect and be open to new ideas.

Dig Deeper: Be relentless, ingenious and focused.

G.U.E.S.T. are the Sonesta People Standards

• Greet or welcome everyone, warmly with a smile, including children.
• Use eye and ear contact and guest’s name during interactions.
• Establish/anticipate needs; be knowledgeable about hotel area; offer services with enthusiasm and commitment.
• Solve and own all requests/complaints and follow up to completion.
• Thank everyone, establish an interest in guest’s satisfaction, invite to return or offer further services.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Benefits

• 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

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.