Sales Manager – Conference & Banquet

Job Description

Mandarin Oriental Muscat 

Situated in a prime beachfront location, Mandarin Oriental, Muscat is a chic urban resort that offers 150 stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites, five restaurants and bars, a lush Spa at Mandarin Oriental, and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel features a one-of-a-kind ballroom boasting spectacular views of the Arabian Sea as well as a variety of banquet and meeting spaces to accommodate social and business events. 

For those seeking a luxury living experience in one of Muscat’s most desirable districts, an exclusive collection of 155 Residences at Mandarin Oriental combines the Group’s legendary service, world-class amenities and sweeping sea or mountain views. We are looking for new fans who are interested and would enjoy being a part of the Mandarin Oriental Muscat opening team.

Scope of Position 

Secures the business to meet financial annual targets related to Conference and Banquet, Outside Catering and group room revenue. Plans meetings and events, co-ordinates with hotel operations and clients before, during and after each meeting and or event. Is responsible for selling events and conference in house as well as off site. Handles all meetings, events and catering enquiries to standard procedures. Acts as main contact for event planning and works closely with Banquet Operations, Food & Beverage management, Rooms Division Operation, Finance and external suppliers. Ensures contract is signed, payment policies are adhered to and services contracted are handed over to Banquet Operations with all details clarified and detailed to ensure total customer satisfaction and return.  

Responsibilities 

• Satisfies the needs of the clients whilst optimizing hotel revenue through strategic yield management and up selling of hotel facilities and services.  

• Works closely with the hotel sales team to achieve monthly sales targets. 

• Works closely with Banqueting Operations team to ensure customer satisfaction and return business. 

• Sends all correspondence to clients regarding banquet events, such as proposals, confirmations, contracts and amendments. 

• Conducts site inspections, client entertainment and familiarization visits.  

• Establishes and maintains files of major accounts and bookings and ensures all maintained in the accounts management system. 

• Establishes parameters, quotes and negotiates prices with customers for group business. 

• Ensures that selling strategies are adhered to during negotiations and maximizes up selling opportunities whenever possible. 

• Understands the overall market, including competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand and knows how to sell against them. 

• Gains understanding of the property’s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concern to offer better business solution. 

• Ensures all requests are handled in the time frame set by the company.  

• Ensures that the information and information security equipment assets are secured as effectively as practically possible to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information assets. 

• Supports customer loyalty and property’s brand standards by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience. 

• Services our customers in order to grow share of the account. 

• Builds strong relationships with customers, guests and colleagues in order to gain full understanding of their needs and work to serve them effectively  

• Sets a positive example for Sales, Reservations and Conference Sales colleagues.  

• Handles guest complaints and disputes.  

• Meets with guests during pre- and post-convention meetings to obtain feedback on quality of product (e.g., rooms, meeting facilities and equipment, food and beverage), service levels, execution against contract and overall satisfaction. 

• Serves the customer by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and services that best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a relationship and loyalty to the company 

• Ensures an excellent working relationship with all colleagues within the hotel  

• Utilizes all available on the job training tools for colleagues.  

• Attends weekly Conference & Events meeting with Operational team to communicate all new events and existing ones.  

• Attends weekly and monthly department meetings and prepares account performance accordingly.  

• Ensures all files are up to date with all latest booking information and all inputs in system are entered in compliance with company standards.  

• Conducts sites visits as required by hotel operation  

• Participates in Client Entertainment with Sales Department as required  

• Joint Sales calls with team as required