Director of Sales - Bedderman Lodging Home Office

The Rooms and Events Sales Manager is primarily responsible for selling guest rooms and events at Bedderman Lodging’s three distinct Chicago properties.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Target and win over business via outside sales calls, hosting site inspections and meeting planner meetings, cold calling and emailing, networking, attending industry and association events. Prospect, solicit and close new business as well as maintain repeat client’s needs and maximize revenues. Handle all major events, group bookings, and VIP clients.
Work closely with other departments in planning and coordination of events, and establish policy standards, procedures, operational guidelines, service standards, menu and product ideas. Ensure proper controls are in place and policies are established and followed by all team members.
Assist with marketing efforts
Perform any other duties as requested by management to aid in better operation of the hotels and service to guests and team members
Provide personalized, friendly service to every guest and team member
Create unique and authentically curated events at the properties.
Sell and serve events. This position will be the on-site contact for all events and group bookings.
Sell catering menus which meet the client’s needs and maximize revenues and periodically review and adjust menus to ensure product and brand consistency.
Meet with clients to work out the details of their functions. Escort clients through the property and highlight features of facility as well as available services.
Confirm payment, guarantees, set-ups and signed contracts and changes with clients.
Review and inspect function rooms and displays for conformance to property standards and client requirements.
Monitor guest feedback and performance data to optimize guest engagement and retention and take appropriate corrective action.
Stay informed of market trends and introduce new products and services to drive guest engagement, increase revenue and ensure a competitive position in the market.
Develop knowledge of the competition to better aid in the solicitation of accounts and network with industry peers to increase referral business.
Prepares monthly reports as requested by management, such as monthly pace reports, sales inquiry, sales site visits, sales action plan, etc.
Attends weekly meetings
Other duties as assigned

Candidates for this position must:
Have excellent written/verbal communication skills
Have exceptional guest service skills
Have extensive knowledge of selling strategies and the ability to meet goals
Maintain complete knowledge of all properties, catering, and event spaces and those of our competition
Have a strong work ethic, drive to succeed, and ability to work independently
Have an enthusiastic attitude
Dress professionally at all times and be well groomed
Have computer skills and familiarity with property management systems, event management systems, gmail, and accounting programs
Be able to bend, reach, kneel, push, and stretch and lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds
Can stand/walk on feet for 8 hours and work in a restrictive space/environment
Have eyesight enabling vision both near and far
Be comfortable using a step stool or ladder
Be able to use/lift arms for up to 8 hours
Be able to handle heat and stress
Have finger dexterity for operating equipment
Speak in a clear, understandable voice, hear at a basic level, and understand English
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow other instructions and perform other work-related duties requested by his or her supervisor.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. We are unable to sponsor applicants for visas.

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with commissions. Schedule will vary with the position’s responsibilities and company, property, and guest needs and events; flexibility is required in this area. Long hours; work on evenings, weekends, holidays, and during events; and more than 40 hours of work per week may be required.

Benefits include Paid Time Off, property discounts, eligibility to join the company’s group health insurance plan after 60 days (25% coverage, HMO and PPO options available; medical/prescription only), and the opportunity to join a growing multi-state hotel management company!