Sr Catering Manager

Exciting opportunity for an energetic sales leader in the Denver market who can appreciate representing a Hyatt branded hotel that offers over 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including our exquisite ballroom, amphitheater and flexible conference rooms.

Hyatt Denver Tech Center is searching for an experienced & dynamic Senior Catering Sales Manager. Must be a passionate Senior Catering Sales Manager with a proven track record that demonstrates passion & ability to drive the team to meet financial goals. 

Here’s to your journey in leading the Hyatt Denver Tech Center, aimed to outshine the competition with a dedicated sales organization & support from an experienced General Manager and Corporate team.  

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Catering Sales Manager will lead efforts to solicit, book, plan, and coordinate meetings and functions while maximizing banquet space to meet and exceed revenue goals. This role requires advanced expertise in catering sales, an ability to foster client relationships, and leadership in executing strategies. The Senior Catering Sales Manager serves as a liaison between the client and hotel departments, ensuring exceptional service delivery. The position involves direct reporting to the Director of Catering Sales or the Director of Sales & Marketing and requires strong leadership in representing Westmont Hospitality standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

This description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications.  The job description is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future.  The Hotel operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so operational demands require variations in shift days, starting times, and hours worked in a week.

Business Results

• Proactively solicit, negotiate, and book high-profile and complex events, maximizing banquet space and exceeding catering revenue targets.
• Develop and execute strategic marketing plans to capture revenue opportunities within assigned territories.
• Collaborate with clients to plan and detail meetings/functions, including event logistics, menu planning, and décor.
• Prepare contracts, proposals, and supporting documents while coordinating efforts with internal teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Maintain competitive knowledge of industry trends, including pricing strategies, to optimize sales performance.
• Identify and convert leads, employing creative selling techniques to secure business.
• Leverage networking, prospecting, and industry events to strengthen and expand the client base.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of sales reports to management.. 
• Responds to incoming catering opportunities for the hotel.
• Proactively identifies, qualifies, and solicits new catering business to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals.
• Closes the best opportunities for the hotel based on market conditions and hotel needs.
• Understands competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, and knows how to sell against them.
• Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts.
• Effectively develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for catering sales opportunities.
• Effectively manages and develops relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to include sales calls (to include outside sales calls), prospecting/solicitation calls, entertainment, bridal shows, etc.
• Effectively use sales resources and administrative/support staff.
• Conducts site inspections.
• Creates proposals as required.
• Creates contracts as required.  
• Possesses excellent telephone sales skills.
• Possesses strong overall sales skills.
• Understands contract management and legalities.
• Possesses operational knowledge and/or appreciation of operations challenges.
• Has basic knowledge of food and beverage compositions.
• Is knowledgeable of food trends, food and beverage composition, and menu planning.  Exercises creativity in designing catering sales solutions.
• Understands food and beverage forecasting and attrition.
• Understands need time strategy as developed by the Revenue Management Team (i.e. Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering Sales).
• Follows all Free Sell guidelines as specified by the Director of Catering Sales & Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Follows all sales strategy as specified by the Director of Catering Sales & Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Understands and achieves team and individual goals.
• Possesses software knowledge (Microsoft Office, etc.).
• Possesses systems knowledge (Delphi, Delphi Diagrams, or any other program similar to).
• Participate in communication and professional organizations to maintain high visibility and promote sales.  
• Perform special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.  Participate in task forces and committees as required.
• Due to the nature of the business the individual may be required to do other duties and special projects as assigned by the supervisor.

Guest Satisfaction

• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction and builds long terms mutually beneficial customer relationships to support future revenue growth. 
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details. Follows up with customer post-event.
• Makes presence known to customer at all times during this process, regardless of which hotel they sit at.  Greets customer during the event phase and hands-off to the Convention Services department for the execution of details. Is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
• Displays leadership in guest hospitality and ensures consistent, high level service throughout all phases of hotel events.   Ensures products and services sold to the Event Planners meet or exceed their expectations, create loyalty and leads to increased market share. 
• Sets a positive example for guest relations.
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.  Effectively responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
• Reviews Guest Service Results with leaders.   Participates in the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
• Utilizes Delphi or other hotel system to capture and manage customer information on a daily basis. 

Leadership

applies broad business knowledge and balances both a short- and long-term perspective to generate strategies while leading the organization to achieve them.

• Serve as a mentor and leader within the catering sales team, providing guidance and sharing best practices.
• Take ownership of challenging situations and empower team members to achieve results.
• Collaborate across departments to create a cohesive approach to sales and service delivery.
• Champion a culture of excellence and innovation within the department.

Managing Work Execution

proactively ensures that others have the accountability, authority and resources necessary to both manage work execution and drive for results.

• Demonstrate urgency and efficiency in managing competing priorities while achieving ambitious objectives.
• Utilize strong organizational skills to balance responsibilities, from client outreach to event management.
• Proactively resolve obstacles and foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure operational success. Follows through on inquiries, requests, and complaints.

Generating Talent

proactively identifies and develops talent within the organization.

• Analyzes candidate’s job-related themes, skills and competencies to ensure each placement decision maximizes team dynamics and talent utilization.
• Discusses problems immediately with others before they are forgotten or get out of control.
• Actively pursues self-development.
• Explains own rationale and thought processes to help employees improve their skills.

Organizational Learner

actively pursues learning and self-development to enhance personal, professional and business growth; shares learning; demonstrates depth of knowledge in technical or specialized area

• Acts independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates an awareness of personal strengths and areas for professional improvement.
• Shares learning, innovations, and best practices with others.
• Is willing to learn from others.
• Performs all technical/procedural requirements of the job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in catering sales, event planning, or a related field, preferably within a hotel environment.
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
• Previous leadership experience is strongly preferred.

Skills And Knowledge

• Strong verbal and written English communication skills
• Knowledge of the Hotel, Westmont and brand policies and procedures
• Advanced understanding of catering and banquet operations, food and beverage trends, and event logistics.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and CRM systems (Envision or similar platforms).
• Exceptional sales, negotiation, and closing skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills under pressure.
• Effective verbal and written communication, with a proven ability to deliver compelling presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with clients and internal teams.