Catering Sales Manager

Graduate by Hilton New York is part of the Graduate Hotels collection located on the Cornell Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island, serving as the island's first hotel and marking the brand's debut in New York City. The Graduate hotels tend to play an outsized role in the hospitality scenes of the college towns they call home, but this one stretches the traditional definition of "college town" just a bit. Even many New Yorkers are still unaware that Roosevelt Island is home to the Cornell Tech campus, a satellite of the Ithaca-based Ivy League university. Graduate Roosevelt Island is the island's only hotel, and in typical Graduate style it's dedicated to the campus that it serves.

Graduate by Hilton New York is a Michelin Guide ranked hotel that is architecturally designed by the internationally renowned design firm Snohetta. The interior design blends Old School and New Age, taking inspiration from both the rich history of Roosevelt Island and the future of technology that the Cornell campus embodies. The crown jewel of the property is the Panorama Room, the stunning 168-seat rooftop bar and lounge designed by James Beard Foundation Award-winning design firm, Parts and Labor Design. Additionally, this property is managed by the famed investment management company, Highgate, which has a portfolio of global properties, representing an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues.

Graduate Roosevelt Island is part of the Graduate Hotels collection located on the Cornell Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island, serving as the island's first hotel and marking the brand's debut in New York City. Architecturally designed by internationally renowned design firm, Snohetta, and interior design from Graduate Hotels' in-house team, the hotel blends Old School and New Age, taking inspiration from both the rich history of Roosevelt Island and the future of technology that the Cornell campus embodies. The futuristic, fashionable and the functional meld to create a space that's bright, open and always interesting. The crown jewel of the property is the Panorama Room, the stunning 168-seat rooftop bar and lounge designed by James Beard Foundation Award-winning design firm, Parts and Labor Design, this venue evokes a sense of cinematic drama inspired by futurism creating a true destination for fashion-forward elegance in an intimate space all set against unobstructed city views.

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for soliciting new catering accounts, entertaining and sustaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and/or exceed revenue goals. He/she must have a strong knowledge of weddings and understand the importance of prospecting in creating new sales opportunities for the hotel. He/she is also responsible to coordinate and service client functions to ensure customer satisfaction while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels. Candidates must be comfortable in problem solving with client relationships and event management.

Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Follow up on all turnovers within 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.
• Know meeting room setups and capabilities.
• Know sleeping room configurations and types.
• Respond to Catering inquires immediately.
• Use the Partnership Agreement to meet client needs.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.
• Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
• Manage the function diary and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One-to-One Training, etc.)
• Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Director of Catering.
• Use feedback from client evaluations to improve service and quality.
• Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled.

• At least 4 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field or a 2year college degree and 3 or more years of related experience or a 4year college degree and at least 2 year of related experience.
• Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Proficiency in Delphi preferred.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Salary Range ($70,000-$75,000 + Potential for Quarterly Incentive Pay)