Senior Catering Manager: Luxury Events & Corporate Sales

Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is seeking a Senior Catering Manager to lead banquet and catering revenue with a focus on corporate catering, meetings, and events. You will coordinate with the Director of Sales & Catering to maximize revenue, profitability, and market share while delivering luxury service and seamless event execution.

The role emphasizes proactive sales, outside calls, site inspections, and strong client partnerships to drive repeat and referral

Qualifications

• High School diploma; College degree preferred.
• Speaks English.

Responsibilities

• Meet and exceed catering and banquet booking goals for food and beverage, event space rental, and audiovisual revenue.
• Proactively prospect for new business and respond promptly to all catering inquiries, walk-ins, referrals, and scheduled appointments within the same business day.
• Identify and target local catering opportunities through reader board research, online platforms, competitive intelligence, and other prospecting resources.
• Partner closely with the Food & Beverage and Culinary teams to maintain timely and accurate communication regarding event requirements, client expectations, and operational needs.
• Conduct outside sales calls and utilize proactive selling techniques, including cold calling, networking, site inspections, client entertainment, and account development, to generate and secure new business.
• Evaluate prospective business based on revenue potential, profitability, operational requirements, and overall value to the hotel while maintaining a competitive market position.
• Maximize revenue through effective upselling of food and beverage, meeting space, audiovisual, and additional services while delivering a level of service consistent with the hotel’s luxury positioning.
• Coordinate and service assigned group functions, serving as the Convention Services liaison between the client, Group Sales, and hotel operating departments. Prepare accurate and timely group resumes, event documentation, billing information, and other required communications.
• Monitor assigned groups throughout the planning process, including room block pickup, rooming lists, cutoff dates, program changes, and other key deadlines. Partner with Group Sales and Reservations to maximize revenue and ensure successful program execution.
• Conduct timely post-event follow-up, including client thank-you correspondence, solicitation of feedback, and prompt resolution or escalation of any service concerns.
• Maintain relationships with past and existing clients and actively solicit repeat, referral, and future business.
• Represent the hotel at community, networking, and industry-related events to increase awareness, strengthen relationships, and generate new business opportunities.
• Work closely with the Catering Coordinator to ensure an efficient daily workflow, including BEO preparation, lead and inquiry follow-up, and accurate maintenance of catering production, definite business, and actualized revenue tracking.
• Continuously identify opportunities to enhance the hotel’s Food & Beverage offerings, presentation, packages, and overall catering experience.
• Provide leadership, training, coaching, and mentorship to Catering team members while supporting established sales processes, service standards, and departmental goals.

Education

High School diploma. College degree preferred.

Job description

Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is seeking a Senior Catering Manager to lead banquet and catering revenue with a focus on corporate catering, meetings, and events. You will coordinate with the Director of Sales & Catering to maximize revenue, profitability, and market share while delivering luxury service and seamless event execution.

The role emphasizes proactive sales, outside calls, site inspections, and strong client partnerships to drive repeat and referral