Cluster Events Booking Centre Manager

**Job Number** 24047482

**Job Category** Event Management

**Location** Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, 42 The High Street, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa VIEW ON MAP

**Schedule** Full-Time

**Located Remotely?** N

**Relocation?** N

**Position Type** Management

**JOB SUMMARY**

Functions as the business leader of the property’s Events Booking Centre Department and manages the property's reactive and proactive catering sales efforts. Shares responsibility for achieving group room and catering revenue goals, guest and associate satisfaction and the financial performance of the department. Implements the brand’s service strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process. Provides day to day leadership to a team of on-property events booking center/catering sales associates. Partners with key stakeholders within Sales; on-property, Global Sales Organization and National Sales Team to receive leads for more in-depth qualification of the business for the property. Partners with Event Management and Hotel Operations to sell products and services that the hotel has the ability to successfully execute. Verifies a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering a high level of service. Maintains accountability for verifying that the team maximizes revenue opportunities by up selling and accurately forecasting (e.g., catering and group rooms) for all events.

**CANDIDATE PROFILE**

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- High school diploma or GED; 4 years’ experience in the sales and marketing, guest services, front desk, or related professional area.

OR
- 2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; no work experience required.

**CORE WORK ACTIVITIES**

**MAXIMIZING REVENUE & MANAGING PROFITABILITY**
- Solicits/books local catering business and develops group business.
- Assists in completing and distributing catering sales revenue and operation budgets and revenue forecasting.
- Tracks booking goals on a weekly basis and compiles incentive reports for distribution to catering leaders.
- Ensures that booking guidelines are followed and that catering leaders are maximizing space and revenue.
- Supports management team in creating and implementing a catering sales/marketing plan addressing revenue, customers and market.

**MANAGING SALES ACTIVITIES**
- Manages the catering sales efforts for the hotel including local and group/convention business.
- Solicits/books local catering business and develops group business.
- Develops and manages catering sales revenue and operation budgets and provides forecasting reports.
- Works with the management team to create and implement a catering sales/marketing plan addressing revenue, customers and market.
- Develops menus that drive sales.
- Assists with selling, implementation and follow-through of catering promotions.
- Executes and supports Marriott’s Customer Service Standards and hotel’s Brand Standards.
- Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).
- Participates in and practices daily service basics of the brand (e.g.,, Marriott Hotels & Resorts (MHR) Spirit to Serve Daily Basics, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts (RHR) Savvy Service Basics, Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn Basics of the Day, Residence Inn Daily Huddle, or TownePlace Suites Morning Meeting).
- Coordinates and deploys catering sales resources on-property to establish pull-through and sustainment of catering sales strategies and selling solutions. Develops a close working relationship with operations to execute strategies at the hotel level.
- Verifies that the property implements a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering high level of service.
- Monitors the effective resolution of guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process by creating mechanisms to channel issues to property leadership and/or other appropriate stakeholders.
- Maintains successful performance by increasing revenues, controlling expenses and providing a return on investment for the owner and Marriott International.
- Implements the brand’s service strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process.
- Performs other duties, as assigned, to meet business needs.

**BUILDING SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS**
- Interacts effectively with guests/clients, sales and kitchen, vendors, competitors, local community, catering associations and other hotel departments in order to monitor guest satisfaction.
- Executes exemplary customer service to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty by assisting the customer and monitoring their satisfaction before and during their program/event.
- Serves the customer by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and ser