Director of Event Sales

The Little Rock Marriott presents an exciting opportunity for job applicants seeking a fulfilling career in the hospitality industry. Located in the heart of downtown Little Rock, our hotel offers a prime location, exceptional amenities, and renowned guest service. As a team member, you will have the chance to work in a dynamic and welcoming environment, providing personalized service to our valued guests. With opportunities for career growth, ongoing training, and a supportive work culture, the Little Rock Marriott is the perfect place to elevate your hospitality career. Join our team of dedicated professionals and contribute to creating memorable experiences for our guests. Apply now and take the next step in your hospitality journey with the Little Rock Marriott!

Overview:

The Director of Event Sales is responsible for selling and servicing events for in-house groups as well as outside clients. The primary focus is to sell Banquet Food and Beverage with other responsibilities including menu planning, agenda setting and hotel meeting services. Other duties will include reviewing contracts and facilitating communication before, during and post event with hotel staff to ensure a high level of service. The Catering Manager will also contribute to site inspections, maintaining strong customer relationships and working as a team member with the sales and catering staff.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sales action plans to close on targeted accounts and/or business within a market segment.
• Respond to incoming sales inquiries for the hotel within 4 hours of receipt.
• Maintain a balance of account maintenance and prospecting for new business.
• Contact representatives from respective market segments to solicit business for the hotel.
• Adhere to the hotel's sales guidelines and book profitable business based on need times including but not limited to prospecting, outside sales calls, solicitation, site inspections, sales blitz, and presentations.
• Establish and maintain existing accounts within your market segment.
• Solicit, negotiate and confirm new and repeat business through various efforts (lead follow up, telemarketing, direct mail, referrals, internet prospecting, etc.) to maximize revenues to meet/exceed goals.
• Use networking ‘social media for business’ tools such as LinkedIn to research existing & potential accounts, and develop new contacts for the hotel.
• Entertain potential clients/guests. Invite clients to the hotel for entertainments, lunches and site inspections.
• Make prospecting calls.
• Develop and implement creative sales strategy by analyzing historical, current and future hotel/market/account trends.
• Participate in training, trade shows, field trips and community, industry and professional organizations to maintain high visibility in support of the achievement of sales and revenue goals.
• Prepare creative ways in which to reach out to a potential client for future business.
• Analyze requirement of function, outline available hotel facilities and services offered and quote pricing.
• Assist in planning and participating in sales blitz.
• Obtain reader board summaries from competition and prospect accordingly.
• Actively seek business opportunities for other company-managed hotels.
• Consult newspapers, trade journals, internet, etc., to learn of contemplative conventions and social functions and to learn about the market and trends.
• Follow through on leads from the group sales department.
• Meet or exceed the annual sales goals set by the DOS/DOC/Budget including sales activity production.
• Confer with guest and hotel department heads to plan function details, such as space requirements, publicity, time schedule, food service and decorations.
• Utilize proper communication channels to inform operating areas of customer’s contract needs and potential requests.
• Prepare for and attend all applicable pre-cons and post-cons.
• Arrange for VIP amenities to be delivered.
• Check on functions regularly as they are being executed for groups.
• Prepare and send advance brochures/menus to prospective customers.
• Prepare and receive cash deposits, billing and payments.
• Manage the function book and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Sell liquor in accordance with state liquor laws.
• Work with group sales and Executive Chef in menu planning to maximize revenue based on customer budget.
• Relay accurate forecasting information for rolling forecast.
• Promote employee empowerment.
• Demonstrate positive leadership characteristics, which inspire employees.
• Report all unsafe conditions immediately.
• Participate in annual competitor survey.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor to include cross training.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or 2+ years of hotel sales experience.
• 1 year food and beverage experience.
• Strong understanding of negotiation and interpretation of contracts.
• Developed business communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Understanding/knowledge of Microsoft office.
• Confident and professional appearance.
• Proactive sales approach, assertive and fast paced, driven to succeed.
• Execute and support Hotel Customer Service Standards and Hotel’s Brand Standards.
• Understanding of respective market segment, competitor’s strengths, weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand.
• Work well under pressure.
• Time management skills. Being able to work on multiple projects with desired outcome for each.
• Ability to communicate effectively with public and other employees.
• Creativity in designing events.
• Working knowledge of banquet department (sets, AV equipment, scheduling, menu planning).
• Ability to design menus in conjunction with the culinary department to maximize operating profit.
• Experience with major Hospitality Sales CRM system, i.e. Delphi, Daylight and/or brand CRM such as Marriott CI/TY or Starwood ISAC is preferred.

Benefits:

Davidson Hospitality Group is an award-winning, full-service hospitality management company overseeing hotels, restaurants, dining and entertainment venues across the US. A trusted partner and preferred operator for Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Marriott, and Margaritaville, Davidson offers a unique entrepreneurial management style and owners’ mentality that provides the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of skill and experience of a larger company. In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value, Davidson is comprised of four highly specialized operating verticals: Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Restaurant Group.

In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value to its owners and team members, Davidson offers a rich benefit program with a variety of benefits designed to enrich the lives and well-being of our team members and their families.

• Multiple Tiers of Medical Coverage
• Dental & Vision Coverage
• 24/7 Teledoc service
• Free Maintenance Medications
• Pet Insurance
• Hotel Discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, bereavement, and Holidays).
• 401K Match

Working at Davidson is like nowhere else. It’s less of a job, more of a calling. It’s part career, part revolution. Because whatever you do here, you play a part in helping redefine the way quality hospitality is delivered to our guests, our clients, our partners, and each other.

EOE AA- Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation

Davidson Hospitality is a drug free workplace. Pre-employment drug test and background check required. We participate in E-Verify.