Senior Catering Sales Manager

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Vacation & Sick Time

Parental Leave

Hotel Discounts

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is seeking a Catering Sales Manager in the Cambridge area to drive social and corporate catering revenue and profits. You will pursue new business, nurture client relationships, and ensure flawless event execution.

Responsibilities include negotiating contracts, planning menus and events, coordinating with departments, and achieving sales targets. A bonus plan is offered with a base pay of $35–$38 per hour.

Qualifications

• Experience in prospecting, soliciting, negotiating and booking social and corporate events.
• Ability to develop client relationships and manage catering arrangements.
• Strong coordination skills for menus, room setups, and BEO documentation.

Responsibilities

• Prospect, solicit, negotiate and book new and repeat social and corporate business to maximize revenue.
• Coordinate menus, food & beverage, room setups, decorations, and VIP services.
• Prepare and review contracts, rate agreements and banquet/catering orders; manage inquiries and proposals.

Skills

Sales experience

Negotiation

Event planning

Customer focus

Job description

We’re People People. Are you? We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast ). With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be. But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

The Catering Sales Manager sets the tone for Sonesta’s Culture of Caring. We expect leaders to focus on creating amazing moments for guests, planners, and team members and dig deep to find ways to create success for their team. The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for maximizing Catering Corporate and Social revenues and profits for the hotel. The Catering Sales Manager will uncover new business opportunities, foster client relationships, and ensure the successful execution of events.

What you’ll be doing

Prospect, solicit, negotiate and book new and repeat social and corporate business to ensure maximization of revenue in order to achieve and/or exceed budgeted revenue goals. Establish client base of individuals, organizations, associations, social, and/or corporate businesses through direct outside and inside selling to secure business for the hotel. Work with each client in menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow room set-up, group room blocks, and VIP services etc. Prepare and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO). Ensure all BEO paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Attend BEO meetings. Achieve personal and team goals as assigned. Coordinate functions and activities with other department heads as appropriate and communicate the Meeting/Event planner’s needs to appropriate staff. Negotiate guest room rates, meeting room rental, function space, and/or hotel services within approved booking guidelines. Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders. Monitor and handle inquiry calls and provide client proposals in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures Check function/Event room setups prior to guest client arrival, ensuring all details are in agreement with client’s requirement and hotel standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by the appropriate personnel. Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients. Attend sales, revenue, and department meetings. Assist the Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering & Convention Services with Budget and Forecast and complete special projects and assignments as designated. Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming. Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Strategy and Planning

Develop key focus areas and markets for sales solicitation/prospecting. Develop personal sales campaigns and promotions in order to generate leads, promote hotel and increase visibility. Produce monthly sales-related reports and sales forecasts for assigned areas of responsibility. Attend and represent hotel at trade shows and conventions. Develop and maintain knowledge of market trends, competition, and customers.

Financial Management

Up-sell client events and manage function space and room block inventory as assigned. Use strong negotiation skills Aggressively and appropriately upsell hotel services and products Make sound decisions based on the best use of the hotel facilities for a win-win

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.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

$35.00 to $38.00 and eligible for a bonus plan. The base pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job related knowledge, skills and job specific experience/overall experience.

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Educational Assistance
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these )
• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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.