Sales & Marketing - Director of MICE & Catering Sales

JOB SUMMARY Functions as the business leader of the property’s Catering Sales Department and manages the property's reactive and proactive catering sales efforts. Shares responsibility for achieving 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 catering sales associates. Partners with key stakeholders within Area Sales to receive warms 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 Key Qualifications & Experience • Extensive MICE & Catering Sales Experience: Proven track record in both MICE and Catering Sales within a large-scale luxury hotel environment, ideally with a minimum of 400 rooms. • Strong Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to drive revenue, optimise business opportunities, manage key accounts and deliver against financial targets. • Exceptional Leadership: A supportive, hands-on leader who leads by example, demonstrates empathy, sets clear expectations, delegates effectively and empowers the team to achieve their full potential. • Team-Oriented: A collaborative team player who fosters trust, promotes cross-functional cooperation and contributes to a positive and engaging work environment. • Strong Analytical & Reporting Skills: Highly numbers-driven, with extensive knowledge of forecasting, budgeting, reporting and business analysis, ensuring accuracy and informed commercial decision-making. • Creative & Innovative Thinking: Able to develop fresh ideas, identify new business opportunities and create innovative solutions to strengthen our market positioning. • Solution-Oriented Mindset: Proactive, resourceful and adaptable, with the ability to anticipate challenges, resolve issues effectively and maintain a strong focus on results. • Commitment to Service Excellence: Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences and upholding The Ritz-Carlton standards through genuine care, attention to detail and consistent follow-through. CORE WORK ACTIVITIES 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 services that best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a relationship and loyalty to Marriott. • Gains understanding of the hotel’s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solution both prior to, and during the program/event. • Partners with key stakeholders within Area Sales to receive warms 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. Leadership • Manages and directs the on-property catering sales managers to achieve hotel revenue goals by proactively targeting current and new high value accoun…