Sales and Events Manager - Darden - Eddie V's HIRE (Prod)

 $65000 per year - $80000 per year 



The Sales and Events Manager at Eddie V's is accountable for delivering profitable sales growth by creating and  executing business development plans to acquire new guests and growing contracted dining business by creating  indulgent experiences for our guests. Core tenets of the role include building relationships with new and existing  guests, growing total revenue and contracted dining revenue, and executing over-the-top contracted event dining  experiences for our guests. Successful performance is measured by consistent delivery of profitable sales growth  through our systems and procedures from the perspective of all our stakeholders. 

Reports To: Managing Partner 

Direct Reports: 1 - 8 

Responsibilities 

• Create accountability for profitable sales growth results 
• Achieve restaurant financial goals, including but not limited to overall sales growth, close ratios,  and private dining sales 
• Manage and reconcile the local marketing budget to generate a positive return on investment (ROI)  on sales initiatives 
• Strategize with managing partner to identify specific business needs and implement sales plans to  address gaps, such as: 
•  Host in-house or off-site events to source new business (meeting planners, administrative  assistants, etc.) 
•  Introduce new and reintroduce lapsed guests to the restaurant by leveraging local  

marketing funds 

• Provide insight into sales projections on a weekly basis and develop outreach and in-reach plans to  meet sales targets 
• Execute sales outreach plans for national and local events (e.g. Restaurant Week, gift cards sales,  wine events) as prescribed 
• (e.g. send invitations to organizations; create team contests; garner referrals; and reengage past  guests) 
• Cultivate guest relationships 
• Buid track customer relationship management (CRM) outreach to prospects and  existing guests 
• Source new business by developing referral relationships with partner organizations (chambers,  CVB, hotels, etc.) 
• Grow guest database for actionable outreach (birthday, anniversary, email marketing) by ensuring  guest and reservation information database is accurately recorded and cleansed weekly 
• Develop and foster a strong sales culture by educating and coaching team members on  relationship building and sales growth 
• Grow contracted dining business by creating indulgent experiences 
• Source, develop, and grow relationships with key stakeholders at nearby businesses (e.g. admins,  meeting planners, etc.) 
• Negotiate contracts, accurately record event details in the group sales software and reservation  system, and communicate/deliver event orders to managers, culinary and service team members to  create indulgent event experiences for our guests 
• Create accountability for flawlessly planning and executing all contracted dining events o Greet, be present and be of service to event hosts to ensure their expectations are exceeded  (typically remain in the restaurant until main course is served) 
• Follow up with private dining guests after their events to gauge feedback, be of service and secure  repeat business 
• Other responsibilities 
• Leverage Host University to improve sales acumen amongst sales professionals and hosts o Participate in regularly scheduled training sessions to continually learn and share best practices  and develop new sales skills
• Support the managing partner with ensuring reservation system is optimized 
• Ensure all communications from Restaurant Support Center (RSC) are disseminated and  implemented on time 
• Partner with RSC for legal and financial counsel, as well as approvals on published marketing  materials and partnerships 
• Secure approvals and use the project management system to create marketing collateral to support  sales initiatives 

Education, Training, Experience and Key Qualifications 

• Proficient verbal and written English communication required 
• Experience in luxury brands or high-touch service culture preferred 
• Bachelor's degree (Hospitality, Business) preferred 
• Proficiency with Outlook, OpenTable and Gather preferred