Catering Sales Manager| Grand River Conference Center

Oak View Group:

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary:

The Catering Sales Manager will work with clients to advise about rates, catering, and services; preparation and execution of event contracts, planning, coordination, and execution of events in assigned market segment. Strong verbal and written communications skills, the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously, be self-governed and self-motivated, possess a basic understanding of banquet and catering sales, public relations, advertising and special event planning and execution are essential.

The Catering Sales Manager is an intricate part of the event team and is expected to recognize the value and benefits of teamwork. Open lines of communication within the team are vital to its success and that of the company.

This role will pay a yearly salary of $45,000 to $50,000.

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays)

This position will remain open until Dec 31, 2024.

About the Venue:

The Grand River Center is a full-service meeting and event facility located in the heart of downtown Dubuque, Iowa. Newly renovated in 2020, featuring over 40,000+ square feet of meeting and 30,000+ square feet of exhibition space for events up to 2,000.

Responsibilities:

• Performs related work as assigned by Director of Sales & Marketing and GM.
• Meets specified goals and objectives for venue usage by promoting the convention center to all potential clients; conducts venue tours; answers questions and provides information regarding venue services, policies and procedures; and assists clients in finalizing booking arrangements.
• Design floor layouts on venue software.
• Create and distribute accurate Banquet Event Orders (BEO)
• Advance, plan, service, and supervise all weddings.
• Primary sales contact for all groups expecting approximately 50 or fewer attendees.
• Set appointments and make outside calls to potential clients.
• Make solicitation calls, assist with promotions and direct mail activities.
• Researches, identifies and establishes the appropriateness of groups for the venue.
• Attend industry events and tradeshows as may be required.
• Prepare event contracts, sales folders, sales kits and correspondence to clients.
• Enter and maintain complete and accurate information into booking system.
• Works with clients and facility staff to determine event needs and opportunities for upselling food and beverages, and other services offered by the facility.
• Work a flexible schedule, including long nights, early mornings, weekends & holidays as needed.
• Complete all duties with a customer service focus through teamwork & dedication to OVG’s principles.
• Assist in the preparation of building to meet the requirements of upcoming events/shows.
• Participates in the development of newsletters and other marketing materials.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, memoranda, agreements and forecast projections.
• Provide assistance and staff support to the Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Prepare and deliver verbal presentations to groups of various sizes.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Working as a Manager on Duty (MOD) as required.
• Analyzing competitors and target markets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in sales, marketing or other related field and/or minimum 3-5 years of increasingly responsible experience in business to business sales required, preferentially with a sports facility, convention center, performing arts facility, or other multi-purpose public assembly facility.
• Prefer experience in weddings, conventions, banquets, entertainment, tradeshow/meetings with responsibility for scheduling, arranging, promoting meetings, lectures, exhibits, conventions, concerts or other related events.
• High school diploma or equivalent GED required.
• Strong computer skills in Windows environment and MS Office applications. Training on industry software will be provided.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and select holidays as required, in addition to normal business hours if needed.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference:

Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.