Event Planning Manager - Wedding Specialist

Full job description
About Us

The Hyatt Regency on the Hudson located in downtown Jersey City sits on a beautiful pier overlooking the New York City Skyline. Our hotel is one of the oldest in the area and has great guest stories and experiences to share. We are located in the business district of Jersey City; home to residents and many businesses. Hop on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail located 1 block away for a quick trip to our local Newport Center Mall, home of a variety of Brand Name Stores such as JC Penny, Macys and Kohls, AMC Movie Theatre and a huge selection of food court attractions. Come and be part of our team, at the Hyatt Regency we embrace our associates with the help of our company culture, HEI Loves. With HEI Loves we offer amazing benefits to our team and they get better and better each year. HEI appreciates and supports our individuality and once you join our team; you become apart of our family and we become apart of yours.
Don't meet every single requirement of this job? At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization!

We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.

Overview

Manage wedding and social catering accounts to achieve guest satisfaction and to solicit past and new business to ensure all revenue goals are achieved or exceeded. Responsible for soliciting new catering sales accounts, entertaining, and maintaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals in food, beverage and room rental segments.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Solicit new and existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals through telephone prospecting, outside sales calls, site inspections and written communication.
Understanding of both monthly forecasting and the annual budget process, as well as pace and productivity.
Understanding of yield management skills and the use of historical data.
Experience evaluating every catering business opportunity to maximize revenue and profitability while achieving customer expectations.
Participate in the research of the competition’s products, services and pricing and use it to develop strategic business plans.
Maximize revenue by selling all facets of the hotel to previous, current and potential clients, including room rental, A/V and other revenue generation opportunities.
Experience selling to a variety of market segments.
Consistently book repeat business by having a track record of long-term client relationships.
Develop customized wedding proposals and packages to meet client needs and budget.
Negotiate contracts and close sales in accordance with company pricing policies and revenue goals.
Maintain strong relationships with clients from inquiry to event completion.
Attend weddings as the venue liaison to support successful operations and guest satisfaction.
Meet or exceed individual and team sales goals.
Knowledge of sales techniques including closing skills as well as negotiating skills.
Comfortable with hotel site inspections and client presentations.
Participate in trade shows and sales blitzes.
Some experience utilizing creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups. Ability to generate creative and innovative menus while working closely with Chef on pricing specialty menus.
Work closely with banquet department on operations and event execution, ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action.
Provide overall direction, coordination, and ongoing evaluation of operations of catering events sold. Detailed execution of all banquet event orders generated by the associate.
Effective use and teaching of computers, specifically Opera, Word and Excel.
Knowledge of market trends, competition, and key hotel customers.
Ability to work with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction for all events/groups.
Comply with attendance rules and be available to work on a regular basis.
Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Skills:

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Passion for weddings and event planning
Prior experience in the field of hospitality with specific experience in catering sales is essential.
1+ year in weddings/catering sales required.
Must possess computer skills, including, but not limited to, use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Opera.
Advanced knowledge of sales skills, revenue management, training, and motivation of peers.
Knowledge of hotel features, benefits, and competing hotels within the market.
Knowledge of hotel operations, including marketing plans, security and safety programs, personnel and labor relations, preparation of business plans, repairs, maintenance, budget forecasting, quality assurance programs, hospitality law, and long-range planning.
Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines.
Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences, such as effectively communicating with supervisors, coworkers, public etc.
Compensation

Salary Range: $61,000.00 - $69,000.00 Annually
Tipped/Service Charge Eligible? No
Discretionary Performance Bonus Eligible? No
Benefits

HEI Hotels and Resorts is committed to providing a comprehensive benefit program that offers you choices for your physical, mental and financial wellness, creating value in your most important investment - you!

For your physical and mental wellness we offer competitive Medical and Dental programs through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as well as Vision insurance programs through EyeMed. Our Vacation, Sick and Holiday programs are available for you to rejuvenate with time off. HEI also provides pet insurance through the ASPCA. For your financial wellness, HEI provides a wide array of coverage, including Supplemental, Spousal and Child Life insurance as well as Short and Long-Term Disability plans. Our 401(k) Savings Plan with matching funds, and discounts through our 'YouDecide' and Hotel Room Discount programs provide additional incentives for choosing HEI as the employer of your future. Specific details and eligibility of these programs vary by location and employment status.

HEI Hotels and Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. Read more