Watt Executive Meetings Manager

About the Role

As the Executive meetings manager, you will respond to inquiries about the purchase of food & beverage, rent event space, and ancillary services for the restaurant. You will function as the primary contact for the Sales department, including client correspondence, rooming list implementation, corporate reservations, and property site tours. You are responsible for the successful execution of events and customer satisfaction to ensure customer loyalty.

• Execute written sales agreements for moderately sized and complex events.
• Maximize revenues and control expenses through effective negotiation of services and accurate forecasting.
• Initiate verbal and written communication (group resumes, weekly pickups, banquet event orders, etc.) with customers and the internal team in a proactive manner relative to payment structure, room block management, food & beverage, public room rental and exhibit hall fees, incremental and affiliate revenue streams, performance damages, and master billing process.
• Maintain liaison between the customer and their representatives and the hotel by directing each department within the hotel as to their specific role in the pre‑planning and execution of the on‑site convention.
• Analyze customers’ service and product needs and financial issues of in‑house groups; and within parameters authorize on behalf of the General Manager appropriate resolution of customers’ concerns while maintaining profitability.
• Provide direction and supervision of meeting and/or catering logistics to catering and event services managers and other departments and team members responsible for event execution.
• Negotiate service agreements with companies and organizations affiliated with group business that will be utilizing the event space.
• Create group resumes and communicate client needs to all departments of the hotel.
• Ensure all information is recorded in the sales tracking program, attend weekly sales meetings, generate reports, and communicate with DOS & Sales VP.
• Assist in the physical movement of hotel or customer equipment or furnishings as necessary to complete a tight turn‑around of public function space when needed; coordinate efforts with the F&B Director.
• Be able to walk, kneel, stand for extended periods of time, reach, bend, sit, and carry up to 20 lbs without assistance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Represent the hotel to customers in the role of executing negotiated group sales agreements within the event space, including room blocks, food & beverage, exhibits and associated products and services.
• Manage and maintain client account files and contracts in the sales system(s).
• Ask appropriate questions of the clients and make suggestions to ensure the details meet the group and the hotel’s needs.
• Provide support to the remote sales team, specifically the Area Corporate Sales Manager and Regional Senior Sales Manager, VP.
• Facilitate and organize planning and on‑site execution of large events.
• Participate in internal and external meetings as determined by the Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Show flexibility to respond to a range of different work situations.
• Participate in internal and external training and industry events.
• Be able to complete a contract in compliance with all checklists, standards, and hotel policies.
• Ensure hotel staff follows through on all requests.

• Interpersonal skills to provide overall guest satisfaction.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• The ability to analyze, multitask, and prioritize.
• Must have knowledge in all areas of banquet and event etiquette, guest relations, and service standards.
• Ability to operate independently and with a high degree of autonomy, requiring excellent time‑management skills and self‑motivation.
• Hotel product and industry knowledge, including staffing, operations, safety, security, union rules, structural, terminology, fire, police and health codes, hotel policies, and city ordinances.
• Knowledge of hospitality.
• Ability to handle multiple customer and operational demands with a high degree of professionalism, often with time‑sensitive deadlines.
• Proficient in the use and operation of computer systems, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Delphi (or an in‑house sales system), Market Vision, OnQ, InFocus, Internet and Intranet, and Optimum Settings (or an in‑house CAD program).
• Prior hotel experience in a sales role with a proven record of accomplishment to close a sale is required.
• Minimum 2 years in a hotel sales role required; strong catering & meetings experience preferred.

Location:

Watt Hotel – Rahway, NJ

Level: Experienced

Employment Type:

Full Time

Salary: $60,000 – $67,000 per year

Travel:
Negligible

Job Category:
Hospitality – Hotel