Wedding Sales & Event Manager - #260052

Summary

The Wedding Sales & Event Manager is primarily responsible for the development and implementation of sales strategies, programs and activity designed to increase wedding events, maximize revenues, and promote a positive image of the facility. Responsibilities include the development and implementation of various strategies including direct and/or telephone sales, direct marketing communications, advertising, special event promotions and community & municipal relations, etc.

Additional responsibilities include coordination and planning for assigned group’s activities when on property, including strong knowledge of resort services, features and hours of operation. Coordination and planning activities will begin with BEO/resume development and related pre-arrival communication, personal welcome, attention to itinerary and needs while the group is on property and will conclude with post-visit communication and follow up.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Sales

Effectively sell wedding groups at a level to meet or exceed budgeted requirements for lodging and food/beverage revenue.

Be responsible for and implement a sufficient and appropriate outbound sales activity plan to reach revenue targets as directed by the Director of Sales and Marketing including, but not limited to, telephone solicitation, specific promotional campaigns or initiatives, special promotions and events. Activity will be defined by both property specific and corporate objectives and be related to current property vision as well as future development plans and initiatives.

Work closely with all members of the Sales and Marketing Department and other associated departments to increase and manage wedding bookings and to clearly communicate, coordinate, and integrate sales activity and apply best-in-class practices to all efforts.

Develop strong relationships with Meeting Planners, Corporate Clients, Wedding Industry Professionals and other constituents to influence buying decisions.

Create and maintain a current database for sales calls, direct mailings and follow-up in the CRM system. Maintain group files and ensure that signed contracts, payments, rooming lists, correspondence and all detailed information is contained within the file.

Maintain up-to-date information on group rates and packages with a competitive set.

Provide prompt, courteous and efficient handling of all group requests and potential group leads, changes, cancellations, and other guest services information.

Maintain knowledge of current and projected industry developments through continuous attention to industry periodicals and participation in relevant trade organizations.

Maintain knowledge of all resort services/features and hours of operation and comply with all hotel and departmental policies and procedures.

Execute special projects with minimal supervision and meet set deadlines.

Schedule site inspections and, if possible, meet with any walk-in prospective clients to show and describe the facility, rooms and services.

Ability to uncover new prospects and understand the need to build a strong sales pipeline in order to develop new business and new revenue.

Develop and implement sales plans to strategically prospect and target larger accounts, identify more contacts within the account and secure more business opportunities.

Ability to communicate and close business by creating customized proposals that meet the needs of the customer and demonstrate the value delivered by Juniper Preserve.

Strategic thinking ability to best the competition and avoid selling based solely on price.

Prepare a weekly sales recap report.

Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Sales and Marketing.

Wedding Coordination and Management:

Develop, plan and organize all wedding events and manage communication between departments to help ensure coordination of activities. Maintain positive relationships and communicate clearly, tactfully, and persuasively with employees, customers and outside contacts as applicable. Ensure that all employees, especially customer contact personnel, fully understand all pertinent details in order to maximize customer satisfaction.

Maintain a close relationship with the Director of Sales and Marketing, Director of Operations, Sales Managers, Marketing Specialist and Reservations Manager, Assistant Director of Banquets & Events to ensure the department runs smoothly and that group sales initiatives are coordinated in away that the group goals will be achieved..

Create all Group files including making initial contact with group coordinator once contracted, scheduling all food and beverage functions, meeting space, transportation, on and off site needs as requested.

Maintain communication during the events with appropriate group contacts on site for all desired meetings, food and beverage functions, on and off site events, transportation and group needs.

Develop and produce group BEOs, resumes and other required detailed plans for assigned events.

Check assigned group BEOs for accuracy, complete floor plans, and ensure all special orders are completed.

Schedule pre-con meetings with group contact and department heads as requested. Schedule and lead internal meetings prior to group arrivals as needed.

Greet all group contacts upon arrival to the property.

Oversee events on-site, ensuring smooth operations and resolving any issues promptly.

Be on-site and proactively ensure that the client's setup—including event space, food and beverage, audiovisual (AV) equipment, any third party vendors, and any other programmed needs—is fully prepared and aligned with client expectations prior to their arrival

Will be onsite until and available until all critical aspects are successfully completed, including key speeches, presentations, food service, entertainment, and guest departures, and any potential issues have been addressed; this usually means staying until the very end of the event, but could be slightly earlier depending on the specific event and the team's capabilities

Coordinate/necessitate all services for groups in-house as assigned.

Compile rooming list and confirm all reservations on and off site.

Follow up on group contacts and final details, including final billing and payment.

Post-event analysis; evaluates the event's success, gathering feedback from bridal contact, and preparing post-event reports for management and team.

Coordinate, monitor and maintain the property calendar of events to ensure proper service levels and mitigate event scheduling conflicts for assigned groups..

Monitor facility activities and make recommendations to improve customer service and/or operational efficiencies.

Track all group deposits and deposits due, credits, refunds and all final accounting/charges for assigned groups.

Review group files to ensure billing and accounts are set up correctly. Offer additional services to increase revenues with standard service mark up.

Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Sales & Marketing

General

Attend staff meetings conducted by the Director of Sales & Marketing

Regular and reliable attendance.

Incorporate safe work practices in job performance.

Maintain a professional standard at Juniper Preserve including, but not limited to, grooming and appearance, interaction with members, associates, guests of the club, verbal discussions and written correspondence. Does not discuss work related issues with members and guests.

Support and adhere to the Operating Standards as defined by Juniper Preserve

Maintain a positive attitude and the flexibility to take on new and different tasks as assigned by the Director of Marketing and Assistant Director of Banquets and Events.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required

3 years applicable and progressive sales, event planning and management experience in the hospitality industry and focused toward wedding, social and corporate group markets.

Positive attitude, professional manner and appearance in all situations.

BA or BS degree preferred.

Ability to prospect for new business, creating new leads and awareness of Juniper Preserve.

Ability to portray Juniper Preserve as a unique destination resort.

Ability to make oral presentations to both large and small groups.

Demonstrated experience and capability in the areas of budget development, fiscal management, strategic planning, staff management and sales.

Demonstrated quality written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to analyze and solve problems; efficiently handle multiple duties under pressure with minimal supervision; work flexible hours as required including nights/weekends/holidays.

Positive attitude, professional manner and appearance in all situations.

Demonstrated quality written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Effective questioning and discovery skills and ability to listen with empathy to uncover customer needs.

Skills

Must be able to read and understand written and oral instructions. Must be able to comprehend topics of a conceptual nature.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret graphs. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, predictability and deductions.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw conclusions.

Education And/Or Experience

Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis in Marketing, Business, Communications or equivalent and minimum of three (3) years demonstrable and progressive experience related to Essential Functions of position. Previous experience at a high-end luxury golf community or resort is a positive.