Sales Manager - Events and Experiences

The Culinary Institute of America; Town of Hyde Park (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY is seeking a Sales Manager to lead events and experiences sales and booking processes. You will solicit new business, manage client relationships, and coordinate with CIA departments to ensure flawless execution of events.

This role requires 3+ years in catering or hospitality sales, an associate degree in hospitality management, and excellent communication. A generous benefits package and a competitive salary are offered.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Hotel/Restaurant Management, or closely related field or combination of education and experience equivalent.
• Minimum of three (3) years working experience in Catering or Hospitality Management or closely related field.
• At least two (2) years of previous event sales experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Sell and plan events and experiences held at the CIA, including weddings, corporate events, social events, industry events, meetings, conferences, demonstrations, and seminars.
• Communicate and provide site visits and meetings with clients to prepare for events and create client proposals and contracts.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to ensure successful event execution and client satisfaction.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients across corporate, social and association groups, and identify new markets.
• Create promotional sales pieces to include menu, pricing, and logistics.
• Be present for large events to ensure all details are communicated and executed appropriately.

Skills

Event sales

Hospitality management

Customer service

MS Office

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

OpenTable

Tripleseat

25 Live

MS Office

Job description

Description

The hiring salary for this position is $75,000 plus a bonus package.

Position Summary

The Sales Manager is responsible for the sales and booking process for Events and Experiences provided by Culinary Institute of America (“CIA”). The Sales Manager will oversee the solicitation of new business and maintaining relationships to ensure achievement of annual sales while effectively communicating client needs with the departments and areas responsible for executing the events that operate within an educational environment.

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

Essential Responsibilities

• Responsible for selling and planning events and experiences held at the CIA. Events will include but are not limited to weddings, corporate events, social events, industry events, meetings, conferences, demonstrations, and seminars.
• Communicate and provide site visits and meetings with clients to prepare for their event and create client proposals and contracts.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to ensure successful event execution and client satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, including corporate, social and association groups in addition to identifying new markets.
• Create promotional sales pieces to include menu, pricing, and logistics.
• Be present for large events to ensure all details are communicated and executed appropriately.
• Provide friendly and courteous customer service in all forms of communication and client visits.
• Lead the planning and delivery of VIP and special-request experiences, ensuring a high-touch guest experience and effective coordination with key internal and external stakeholders (e.g., executive guests, donors, strategic partners, and special events).
• Serve as the primary client relationship lead, ensuring alignment between client objectives, CIA standards, and internal stakeholders throughout the event lifecycle.
• Upsell additional services to enhance the bottom line, i.e. tour fees, room rentals, a/v charges, continental breakfasts, beverage upgrades, etc.
• Adopt a clear and strategic approach to events and experience sales that drives full revenue and profit potential.
• Oversee communication with CIA Catering, Restaurant Chefs, Maître D’s, Assistant Restaurant Managers, Welcome Center, Admissions Office, Copy Center, Audio Visual Technician and Accounting to ensure smooth flow of customer visits, recognizing the importance of balancing guest experience objectives with academic and student operational realities.
• Properly book all events using the proper software channels including OpenTable, Tripleseat and 25 Live.
• Oversee and ensure deposit and final payments for CIA Catering groups and Restaurant groups.
• Support the coordination of events and experiences as it pertains to guest chefs, themed events, reservations, generating BEO’s, proofing menus and coordinating all the extra details associated with individual events. Act as a liaison between clients and operational teams as appropriate.
• Efficiently respond to all customer inquiries in a polite and timely manner.
• Create and prepare accurate catering proposals for potential customers, ensuring that the events and experiences match the profile of the event in terms of product selection and budget.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Hotel/Restaurant Management, or closely related field or combination of education and experience equivalent.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years working experience in Catering or Hospitality Management or closely related field.
• At least two (2) years of previous event sales experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge/experience working in the travel and tourism and/or hospitality business.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred.

Required Skills

• Ability to effectively work within multi-disciplined work teams to respond to business needs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Must have demonstrated ability in organizational, time management, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a proven, consistent track record showing the ability to work with all levels within an organization.
• Must display a high level of energy and self-motivation.
• Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Detail oriented and thorough.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Able to bend, stoop or reach as needed.
• Regular work requires a great deal of sitting and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Ability to stand and work for extended periods of time during customary service hours.