Sr. Catering Sales Manager

BENCHMARK; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pyramid Global Hospitality is seeking a Sr. Catering Sales Manager in Washington, DC to drive social events and weddings, maximizing space to meet sales goals. Lead a catering team and coordinate across departments for seamless guest experiences.

The role targets $4–$6 million in annual sales with opportunities to work closely with senior leaders and industry partners, delivering service excellence in a dynamic hospitality environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in Catering Sales, Weddings, Food & Beverage or related area.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel & F&B Management or related major.
• Four (4) years of leadership experience in Wedding/Event Management in a resort/hotel setting.

Responsibilities

• Proactively pursues leads and existing accounts through sales calls, site inspections and written communication.
• Directs the performance of the Catering team to achieve sales objectives.
• Coordinates local marketing efforts (trade shows, wedding shows, social media) to secure business.
• Negotiates, sells and secures social event and wedding agreements with clients.
• Prepares agreements, reports and other paperwork related to the catering department.
• Ensures all wedding agreements are communicated to other departments to ensure guest satisfaction.

Skills

Sales leadership

Wedding sales

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Hospitality / Hotel & F&B Management

Leadership experience in Weddings/Events

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Pyramid Global Hospitality is a leading hospitality management company with a portfolio of more than 200 hotels and resorts and over 18,000 associates across the United States, Caribbean, and Europe. Our platform includes Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, a collection of distinctive independent properties; Axiom Hospitality, our European hotel management company; and PYRAMIDWORKS, which provides integrated workplace and facilities services. With corporate offices in Boston, The Woodlands, Texas, and London, Pyramid combines global scale with a hands-on approach focused on exceptional service, operational excellence, and long-term partnerships. At Pyramid, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an environment where associates are respected, supported, and empowered to grow their careers. Team members have the opportunity to collaborate directly with experienced leaders, take on meaningful stretch assignments, and gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of properties, brands, and markets. Whether you are beginning your hospitality career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to learn, develop, and make an impact. Our commitment to associates, guests, owners, and the communities we serve has helped make Pyramid and our properties among the most recognized in hospitality. From being named among the best places to work by respected publications such as USA Today, The Boston Globe, and The Houston Chronicle to earning top travel accolades from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, and U.S. News & World Report, these recognitions reflect the culture, service excellence, and commitment to people that define the Pyramid experience.

About our property: Welcome to The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection, a distinguished property in the Pyramid Global Hospitality portfolio overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Featuring 373 guest rooms and 38,000 sq ft of indoor meeting and event space, the hotel offers a dynamic hospitality environment just minutes from The Wharf, National Mall, Capitol Hill, and many of the city's most recognizable landmarks. At The Potomac Hotel, team members have the opportunity to build their careers within a full-service property featuring two restaurant and bar concepts, a spa and fitness center, and extensive meetings and events operations. As part of our team, you'll join Pyramid Global Hospitality's People First culture, where collaboration, professional development, and growth opportunities are central to the associate experience. Whether you're beginning your hospitality career or ready for your next opportunity, you'll find a supportive environment where your contributions matter. If you're passionate about exceptional hospitality and interested in growing your career in the heart of Washington, D.C., we invite you to explore opportunities at The Potomac Hotel and join our Pyramid Family.

What you will have an opportunity to do:

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sr. Catering Sales Manager, under the leadership of the Director of Events, is responsible for Driving the hotel's social event and wedding business while maximizing the event space to meet/exceed sales goals and have a thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of the catering, food & beverage and hospitality professions; effective communication skills, ability to negotiate, influence and sell professionals and/or prospective hotel guests. This role is responsible for selling between $4 and $6 million dollars annually. Candidates previously designated specifically as "senior" managers in Sales, Catering, and Convention Services are strongly preferred. All duties are performed in accordance with department policies, practices and procedures.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

• Proactively pursues leads and existing accounts through sales calls, site inspections and written communication
• Possesses outstanding leadership, organizational skills, strong yield and revenue management skills, excellent written and verbal communications, a guest service focus, a team orientation and a passion for sales.
• In addition to selling skills, creativity, motivation and dedication is required for this position
• Actively pursues new business both locally and nationally, including visiting new offices.
• Directs the performance of the entire Catering team to achieve sales and performance objectives.
• Coordinates local marketing efforts to continue to secure business (attends trade shows, wedding shows, support marketing & social media campaigns, community events, and industry meetings against assigned markets.)
• Utilizes hospitality expertise to develop and maintain knowledge of market trends, competition, and customers
• Establishes account information and calls on major contacts (personally or phone) and continually promotes the property
• Negotiates, sells and secures social event and wedding agreements with clients.
• Prepares agreements , reports and other paperwork related to the catering department.
• Ensures all social event and wedding agreements entered into with the clients are communicated to other departments to assure guest satisfaction
• Conducts tours of the hotel and banquet facilities; entertains qualified potential clients in accordance with company and property policies and procedures
• Maintains a professional image at all times, responds quickly to guest requests in a friendly manner, and follows up to ensure guest satisfaction
• Communicates regularly with key wedding planners, social contacts, vendors and other industry support to ensure contract fulfillment of events.
• Maximizes use of appropriate and available hotel space to generate food and beverage revenues.
• Utilizes creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, tasting facilitation and functions for groups
• Drives customer/guest loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer/guest experience
• Partners with clients through planning and execution phases of function and with the assistance of the Catering/Wedding Assistant Manager, manages f&b selection and function details in order to ensure a seamless and exceptional guest experience resulting in compete satisfaction and repeat business.
• Provides accurate and concise information to all departments (includes: Banquet Event Orders, Resumes and Internal Communications, Maintains proper documentation changes and special requests).
• Collaborates and develops an effective communication and information system with all departments to disseminate details of upcoming weddings and social events, discuss operations and event execution in order to support the ability to anticipate issues , quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action.
• Reviews event bills for accuracy.
• Conducts post-event evaluations in order to determine how future events could be improved.
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment when evaluating new programs, new services and new ideas
• Stay abreast of property goals in order to create, support and present departmental goals to executive leadership
• Continues to learn and be on the forefront of new technology for the hotel industry
• Create ways to further enrich the guest experience by continuously reviewing, implementing and refining procedures to ensure every opportunity to offer extraordinary guest experiences while maintaining a culture of smiles, retention of luxury standards
• Proactively seek guest feedback and liaise with other departments when opportunities present themselves ensuring a seamless and elevated guest experience
• Manage guest requests and own all complaints; resolve issues immediately and follow up to ensure the guest’s satisfaction
• Develop collaborative relationships and synergy with all support departments such as Convention Sales & Services, Facilities, Security, Front Services, Front Office, F&B, and Executive Offices
• Foster a management team that possesses and delivers on key strategies of guest service, team member relations, team cooperation, financial responsibility and asset management
• Complete performance evaluations for the Catering team.
• Ensure all accounting, payroll and team member relations matters are handled in compliance with company policy
• Perform other functions as needed

What are we looking for?

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Required: Minimum of six (6) years of experience in Catering Sales, Weddings, Food and Beverage or related professional area Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Hotel and F&B Management, Hospitality, Catering/Event Sales and Marketing, or related major Four (4) years of leadership experience in Wedding/Event Management in a resort/hotel setting Combination of education and experience will be considered

COMPETENCIES & WORKING CONDITIONS

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Experience with Hotel Sales & Catering computer systems preferred. Excellent time management skills Excellent customer service skills Excellent organizational, analytical and project management skills, with particular attention to quality and detail Financial and/or Business Management Skills Ability to work varied shifts, including weekends and holidays Ability to function well under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet established deadlines Must possess mature personal discretion and sound judgment Strong leadership abilities, sound judgment, superior problem solving and decision-making skills The ability to effectively lead managers Interpersonal skills to deal effectively with all business contacts Professional appearance and demeanor

Compensation:

Compensation: $85000 - $95000 Pyramid Global Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations. Pyramid Global Hospitality is a leading hospitality management company with a portfolio of more than 200 hotels and resorts and over 18,000 associates across the United States, Caribbean, and Europe. Our platform includes Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, a collection of distinctive independent properties; Axiom Hospitality, our European hotel management company; and PYRAMIDWORKS, which provides integrated workplace and facilities services. With corporate offices in Boston, The Woodlands, Texas, and London, Pyramid combines global scale with a hands-on approach focused on exceptional service, operational excellence, and long-term partnerships. At Pyramid, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an environment where associates are respected, supported, and empowered to grow their careers. Team members have the opportunity to collaborate directly with experienced leaders, take on meaningful stretch assignments, and gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of properties, brands, and markets. Whether you are beginning your hospitality career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to learn, develop, and make an impact. Our commitment to associates, guests, owners, and the communities we serve has helped make Pyramid and our properties among the most recognized in hospitality. From being named among the best places to work by respected publications such as USA Today, The Boston Globe, and The Houston Chronicle to earning top travel accolades from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, and U.S. News & World Report, these recognitions reflect the culture, service excellence, and commitment to people that define the Pyramid experience.