Catering Sales Manager | Full-Time | Gaillard Center

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

Position Summary

TheCatering Sales Manager has a primary duty of making sales and obtaining orders or contracts for the venue. This position is responsible for generating, managing, and coordinating outside catering sales, as well as initiating, managing, and implementing marketing functions in the Catering Department. The Catering Sales Manager will independently manage and oversee all aspects of full group operations, from reservation through contract negotiation and finalization to group reception and event catering. The Catering Sales Manager maintains a consistently positive and professional relationship with internal and external clients. The Sales Manager will handle sales and customer service issues, including providing outstanding customer service, researching, resolving, and clarifying invoice questions, and providing knowledgeable and appropriate suggestions regarding menu selections. The Catering Sales Manager will facilitate the flow of information internally, as well as communicate with all guests and vendors. Must be available to assist with general catering operations as needed.

The position base pay range is $70,000 - $75,000, and it is commission bonus eligible.

About the Venue

The CharlestonGaillard Center commissions, produces, and presents ambitious, multidisciplinary cultural programming and provides access to the best local, national, and global artists and companies. Deeply rooted in the community, the Gaillard is committed to elevating local and regional voices and partnering with Charleston institutions to reflect the city’s diversity. Through programming on its public campus and extensive arts education initiatives, it serves as a platform to participate in community building and essential dialogue. The Gaillard Center hosts many local, regional, and national catering events in its unique spaces and ballroom.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision markers, and establish and develop strong and effective relationships with influencers through the use of professional, courteous, and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Create and deliver effective sales presentations.
• Independently sources, identifies, and pursues outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events or special events attended by prospects.
• Responsible for negotiating, authoring, and submitting finalized contracts and BEOs to the Client and Internal Staff.
• Address or coordinate all Catering requirements and requests in a timely and helpful manner.
• Maintain accurate records for all Catering sales activities in conjunction.
• Communicate daily with the Food & Beverage Manager, culinary staff, catering staff, and Operations Staff about the needs of our guests and their expectations.
• Maintain an extensive client database for follow-up sales calls and contact (in person, by phone, by email, by mail, etc.)
• Assist with follow-up of guests’ experience at the venue, ensuring that all issues have been addressed.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of catered events as directed.
• Serves as primary group and convention contact once the contract is signed.
• Approves any inventory or other changes and responds to questions or concerns in a timely manner.
• Assists with oversight of accounts receivable in conjunction with assigned events.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
• 3-5+ years in a sales role in the hospitality industry, with verifiable sales success.
• Demonstrated proficiency and successful experience in catering sales generation, contract negotiation and pricing, event scheduling, training, catering, banquets, and menu development.
• Ability to work independently both on and off venue property with little supervision or oversight.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office programs with an emphasis on creating Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and email.
• Working knowledge of POS systems.
• Ability to adhere to a high standard of business etiquette and professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to consistently represent the company in a professional, positive, and knowledgeable manner.
• Ability to adhere to the highest standard of confidentiality and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to produce detail-oriented, accurate work.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, which may include weekends and evenings, as required.
• Ability to travel to outside sales calls and/or events.
• Proven ability to make solid, appropriate, and independent decisions.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.