Group Sales & Services Manager

Compensation Type:
Yearly

Highgate Hotels:
Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition.  Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Location:

 

Edging the bright lights of Broadway and the calm of Bryant Park, The Knickerbocker is a legendary New York landmark reborn as the first luxury hotel in Times Square. Filled with fabled legends, The Knickerbocker once played host to legendary political bigwigs, actresses, oil tycoons and sports figures—and it’s rumored the martini was invented here in the hotel. While historic details like the hotel’s gorgeous Beaux-Arts facade remain unchanged, a soothing new luxury aesthetic is offered within. The stunning transformation of this treasured Manhattan monument invites discerning travelers to discover 300 luxe guestrooms and suites boasting incredible views and bespoke furnishings. An air of posh authenticity embraces New York City’s premier luxury lifestyle hotel.

Overview:
The Group Sales & Service Manager books and detailing of group room blocks and affiliated meetings or events for various clients including corporate, leisure, and social clientele accounts in his/her assigned market vertical segments. He/she is also responsible for prospecting, closing coordinating and supervising on assigned group business before, during and after it is booked to positively impact hotel room and banquet revenues.

Responsibilities:
Fundamental Requirements:

· Perform job responsibilities in accordance with organizational standards Meet.

· Operate the Sales Department within established sales expense budget.

· Initiate and follow up on leads.

· Maintain and participate in an active sales solicitation program.

· Monitor production of all top accounts and evaluate trends within your market.

· Regularly contact existing accounts based on the tracing frequencies of the Account Coverage Program.

· Meet or exceed sales solicitation call goals as assigned by the Director of Group Sales.

· Invite clients to the hotel for entertainment, lunches, tours and site inspections.

· Actively planned and execute assigned promotional activities included in approved Annual Travel Calendar

· Assist in implementing special promotions relating to direct group sales segments, i.e. parties, sales blitzes, etc.

· Assist in the preparation of required reports in a timely manner.

· Be familiar with all Highgate Hotel sales policies and selling techniques with an emphasis on maximizing occupancy and Average Daily Rate (ADR).

· Conduct a professional, thorough site inspection of the hotel with clients, exhibiting key features and benefits of the property.

· Use your property’s computerized sales management system to manage the hotel’s business, including (but not limited to) generating reports, entering business, blocking space and building accounts.

· Meet and greet onsite contacts.

· Develop networking opportunities through active participation in community and professional associations, activities and events.

· Review meeting planner evaluations with the Director of Group Sales to ensure that issues receive follow-up.

· Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.

· Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.

· 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 requests by Meeting Planners immediately.

· Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments involve on a Group operation within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.

· Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.

· Create, review and revise Group rooming lists and Group VIP lists.

· Manage existing Group accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future Group business.

· Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B Banquet and general Group related issues as they arise.

· Manage along with the Director of Catering the function book and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.

· Actively sell guest rooms and food & beverage where applicable to small groups as assigned, ensuring monthly and quarter goals are met

· Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during the kick of functions when is need it.

· Monitor and enforce specific deadline dates related to group rooms cut–off, deposit schedule, BEO requirements and function guarantees.

· Ensure proper invoicing, billing and payment procedures are followed

· Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and quality.

Qualifications:
Education & Experience:

· At least 2 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field.

· College course work in related field helpful.

· Experience managing Opera system (must)

· Experience managing Salesforce system (ideal)

· High School diploma or equivalent required.

· Must be skilled in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.

· 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.

· 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 an appropriate business attire)

· 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.

 

 

Physical requirements:

· 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.

 

 

General Requirements

· Superior Communication Skills (written & verbal, including phone skills)

· Superior Negotiation Skills - Proven ability to close deals

· Organizational Skills - Ability to determine priority tasks and maintain strong attention to detail

· 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 ($80,000.00 - $90,000.00)