Assistant Director of Catering Sales| McCormick Place Convention Center - Oak View Group

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 Assistant Director of Catering Sales reports directly to the Director of Catering Sales and in their absence the Associate VP of Hospitality Operations this role works in conjunctions with all departments as it relates to sales techniques, lead generation for catering events, BEO creation, distribution and communications as required in terms of overall planning and execution of events.

 

This role will pay a salary of $80,000 to $100,000.

 

Benefits 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 December 31, 2024

About the Venue:

McCormick Place located in downtown Chicago is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America., With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for new group/business development:  conducting market research, determining sales targets, prospects and leads, independently planning and executing an effective marketing strategy.
• Work with Clients to provide menu and event planning support.
• Assists in directing catering sales team responsible for the generation of all sales reports, banquet event orders, calendars of events, leads and follow-through, mailing lists, and sales & marketing initiatives.
• Assists in crafting agreements with large corporate or private groups which promote opportunities for repeat business.
• Assists in overseeing sales activities including working with public relations or advertising team to develop campaigns designed to reach sales, advertising and marketing goals.
• Assists in overseeing quantitative sales efforts by identifying the competition and analyzing the catering sales of other similar venues.
• Independently sources, identifies, and pursues outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events, or special events attended by prospects such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Meeting Planners International, International Association Exhibition Managers and other organizations to assertively sell catering opportunities at the venue.
• Responsible for building relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision markers, establishing and developing strong and effective relationships with influencers through the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction and effective sales presentations.
• Assists in developing and executing sales goals encompassing both annual and long-range plans consistent with that of the venue.
• Maintains an extensive client database for follow-up sales calls and contact (in person, phone, email, mail, etc.)
• Responsible for negotiating, authoring, and submitting finalized contracts and BEOs to the operational teams.
• Interacts with clients and venue personnel to ensure complete satisfaction with catered events; processes and coordinates client’s requests and special needs.
• Ensures sales support staff compiles and processes client’s date, logs, issues work orders and contracts; monitors bookings and changes. Communicates updates to appropriate venue staff.
• Oversees coordination of set-up and menus for catered functions; maintains costing, pricing sheets for all menus, services and facility charges and updates as needed.
• Prepares required reports accurately and submits them on time, follows up with department heads to ensure that their reporting is completed within the same guidelines; maintains accurate records for all catering sales activities.
• Serves as primary group and convention contact once the contract is signed; approves any inventory or other changes, responds to questions or concerns in a timely manner.
• Ensures that all catering/event requirements and requests have been addressed in a timely and helpful manner, and that staff has assured and monitored a positive guest experience.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated proficiency and successful experience in catering sales generation, contract negotiation and pricing, event scheduling, training, catering, banquets and menu development.
• Verifiable successful track record in achieving aggressive sales and marketing objectives
• Comprehensive knowledge of hotel and event center operations and goals
• Proven track record of managing a team of associates in a high paced, detailed oriented hospitality environment.
• Strong revenue and budget management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a strong, positive, results-oriented leader and people motivator
• Exceptional persuasion skills
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications (Microsoft Office programs with an emphasis on creating word documents, Excel spreadsheets, email).
• Ability to adhere to high standard of business etiquette, professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to consistently represent the property in a professional, positive and knowledgeable manner.
• Ability to adhere to the highest standard of confidentiality and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently produce timely, detail-oriented, accurate work product.
• Ability to work a variable schedule, which may include weekends and evenings, as required.
• Proven ability to make solid, appropriate and independent decisions; display good judgment.
• Ability to handle and manage stress appropriately.
• Well-honed sales presentation skills
• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in a business related major. Specialization or minor in hospitality management is preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive hotel/hospitality sales management experience.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference:

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. 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.