• Job Type: Officer of Administration --
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating revenue as set forth in annual budget through managing sales efforts, solicitation and maintenance of Banquet accounts.  Oversee Banquets aspects of full-service catering department; provide full feedback of all events to Assistant Director; assist the Assistant Director with special projects.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for solicitation of University in house events, social and all other target markets.
• Execute and attain sales Goals as agreed upon by the Assistant Director.                                                                         
• Manage total sales effort with team members to include: outside calls, blitz calling, new prospect call and incoming inquiries as designated in annual action plan.
• In collaboration with the Events Managers, monitor all banquet space for preventative maintenance an aesthetic qualities.  Strategize with Events Managers revenue and space utilization.
• Report all "need periods" and marketing ideas to Assistant Director for promotional collateral. 
• Monitor and review all correspondence including letters, e-mails, and contracts/agreements to verify accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct periodic comparative analysis of competition. Generate monthly forecast on 90 period. Submit detailed month end report to Assistant Director.
• Conduct monthly meeting with sales and operation staff; coordinate and lead event order meeting twice a week with operations, culinary, and audio visual.  Attend all necessary meetings as instructed by the Assistant Director.
• Monitor and ensure that all accounts are properly rated, traced and yielded, and managed through EMS.  Ensure that accounts are cleaned out according to monthly action plan.  (Releasing of space from system that has not confirmed to definite.)
• Collaborate with Chef and Assistant Director to update and maintain menu offerings.  Create special menus and promotions to enhance selling tools.
• Recruit and attract high performing service personnel and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of the University.  Coach, train and develop direct reports to improve their skills/knowledge base to enhance interaction with all food and beverage, sales managers and operation managers to ensure internal communication and a positive guest experience.  
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of related experience required, preferably catering sales experience in an upscale food and beverage/catering operation with proven track record of accomplishments.  
• Ability to interpret the business goals of the department and apply sales techniques to execute those goals. 
• Specific experience desired in banquet sales and catering services. 
• Must possess strong written and oral communication skills with ability to handle high-volume workload, manage concurrent projects, meet deadlines and work as part of a team.  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise astute judgment. 
• Requires excellent customer service orientation, strong leadership and people skills with ability to build and foster a team environment. 
• Advanced analytical and problem solving skills are highly desirable.
• Position requires knowledge of Word and Excel, and experience with any catering system such as EMS, or Delphi. 
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights/ weekends and holidays. 
• Knowledge of New York Metropolitan area and multilingual ability strongly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.