Monday, June 03, 2019
The City Club is Hiring an Event Sales and Planning Manager
The City Club of Cleveland is one of Cleveland’s and the nation’s civic treasures. With more than a century of service convening vital conversations in service to a stronger community and a stronger democracy, the City Club produces more than 120 public events every year with political and business leaders, visiting authors and dignitaries, and local advocates and experts. In addition to that—and this is where you come in—the onsite catering team plans and executes more than 200 private events every year for a wide ranging clientele, including trade groups, corporate clients, philanthropic organizations, and wedding parties.
The Event Sales and Planning Manager is responsible for a significant portion of the private catering business, from business development and working directly with clients to plan events, to a seamless handoff to the kitchen and banquet team, ensuring that all client needs and expectations are met and exceeded. The Event Sales and Planning Manager works closely with the City Club leadership team, managing the facility calendar to maximize revenue generation while balancing the needs of a mission focused non-profit that strives to be as agile and opportunistic as possible to convene meaningful dialogues in the community’s interest.
Essential Elements of the Role
- Develops, sells and plans private events at The City Club of Cleveland
- Responsible for generating private event sales proactively and responsively
- Establishes sales objectives, including sales and marketing plan and event and revenue targets
- Achieves sales objectives by accurately forecasting event requirements, preparing event budgets, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, initiating corrective actions
- Continually grows relationships with current and new clients
- Self-managing, innovative, detail-oriented and driven to meet new sales targets
- Excellent customer service, communication, presentation, organization, time management, multitasking and listening skills
- Works with community partners to actively seek out both in-town and out-of-town business
- Collaborates with the small but mighty City Club team to support every aspect of the Club’s work
- Responsible for effective contract management and execution of events, communicates all client requests in an effective and sensitive manner
- Leads strategic operational planning and review opportunities for productivity improvements, issue resolution, and increased client/ guest satisfaction.
- Maintains current inventory and responsible for ordering essential equipment, service ware, linens and other special requests for events.
- Ensures all required elements are scheduled, ordered, and communicated with the team
- Generates invoices, processes credit card payments, and follows up on outstanding receivables for catering and event clients
- Works with outside vendors and building management to ensure facilities and building common areas are well maintained and any problems addressed
Qualifications
- 3+ years experience in hospitality sales and event operations
- Extensive knowledge of the market
- Proven track record meeting revenue targets and working well with clients and colleagues
- Ability to accommodate a varied work schedule, including early mornings and evenings, according to client event requirements
- Proficient in MS Office Suite and event management software
- Must be able to stand and exert fast-paced mobility for period up to six (6) hours in length
- Must have a good sense of balance, be able to bend and kneel and have the ability to lift bus tubs, glass racks and trays frequently weighing up to 25-50 pounds
Compensation
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with skills and experience. The City Club of Cleveland provides health insurance, paid vacation, and a 401(k) plan.
The City Club of Cleveland is committed to diversity, inclusion, and growth for all our employees. Minority applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should send resume and cover letter to Chief Financial Officer Julie Kelly (jkelly@cityclub.org).
