Conference Services & Sales Manager - Non-Exempt

207 rooms | 1,521 sq. ft. meeting/event space

Amenities: pet friendly, extended stay, outdoor pool, complimentary hot breakfast and WiFi.

Ideally located just off Bourbon Street, the hotel offers easy access to the dining, music, and culture of the French Quarter. With the Caesars Superdome, Central Business District, and Smoothie King Center just a mile away, it’s a dynamic setting for hospitality professionals who enjoy serving both business and leisure travelers in the heart of New Orleans.

JOB SUMMARY

The Conference Services & Sales Manager (Non-Exempt) is an entry-level position responsible for coordinating and supervising assigned group business after booking through event completion, while actively driving local meeting space sales initiatives, local accounts, and assisting during corporate transient RFP season. This role acts as a liaison between clients and operating departments to ensure successful meetings, maximize hotel revenue, and generate repeat business.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: High School Diploma required; 4-year college degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of one year of hotel experience in Sales, Catering, or Front Office operations, with hotel sales systems knowledge required. Previous customer service orientation and training is required.
• Skills & Knowledge:
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organization skills, manages time well, correctly prioritizes, and is flexible.
  • Excellent creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups.
  • Ability to generate creative and innovative menus while working closely with the Chef on pricing specialty menus.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a full understanding of professional business ethics, decorum, and social skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Appropriate professional appearance and demeanor.
  • Comprehension of technical applications of sales systems and corporate transient RFPs.
  • Full understanding of the hotel product and local market conditions.
  • Team-player and detail-oriented mindset with high energy and enthusiasm.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute local sales initiatives targeting nearby businesses, medical offices, and corporate accounts to drive local meeting space usage and transient room nights.
• Actively solicit and secure local day-meetings, training sessions, and small social gatherings for the hotel's meeting space.
• Partner with the Director of Sales to conduct site visits, network locally, and build pipelines for repeat business.
• Assist with the organization, data gathering, and submission preparation for corporate transient RFP season and local corporate account maintenance.

• Work closely with each group’s meeting planner regarding menu planning, agenda setting, hotel meeting services, hospitality amenities, and special VIP requests.
• Monitor and manage room blocks, cut-off dates, special concessions, and attrition clauses utilizing group history reports to maximize hotel revenue.
• Review sales contracts and validate details with clients via turnover letters.
• Create detailed Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and group resumes to meet the specifications of both the client and hotel operations.
• Verify credit information and billing details in account management software from turnover through departure.
• Monitor and enforce program deadline dates and release unneeded meeting space to maximize revenues.

• Communicate event details effectively to hotel operations staff (food and beverage, audio visual requirements, function room set-up, and billing).
• Optimize room rental, AV, and F&B charges, and effectively upsell products and services during the pre-event planning phase.
• Organize and conduct site visits, pre-planning visits, pre-con, and post-con meetings.
• Produce and distribute convention resumes two weeks prior to arrival and coordinate with banquets and the F&B direction for execution.
• Accurately forecast and reforecast group food and beverage revenue on a monthly basis for assigned groups within a 5% variance.
• Prepare reports including BEOs, sales system reports, correspondence, and internal communications.
• Maintain professional cooperation with clients and coworkers to continually raise meeting planner evaluation scores.
• Participate in industry-related organizations and perform other duties as assigned.

HRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.