Event & Sales Manager

$48,000 - $55,000/Yr

Lesner Inn - Virginia Beach, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Virginia Beach, VA

About the position

The Lesner Inn is seeking an energetic and organized self-starter to join our Event & Sales Management team for our event venue and in-house catering business located on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. The Event & Sales Manager will play a crucial role in selling, planning, and coordinating all aspects of weddings and social events. This position requires a fundamental knowledge of hospitality and management experience, along with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will be high-energy, possess outstanding customer service and sales skills, and demonstrate strong leadership and communication abilities. In this role, the Event & Sales Manager will be responsible for managing client accounts, maintaining excellent communication throughout the event planning process, and ensuring that all details are executed flawlessly. This includes working with clients from the initial inquiry through to the execution of the event, which encompasses site visits, contract management, planning tastings, and confirming vendor arrivals and departures. The manager will also serve as the day-of coordinator when necessary, ensuring that every aspect of the event runs smoothly. The position demands a flexible schedule, as the manager will need to work on weekends and holidays as required. A strong work ethic focused on teamwork, the ability to work under pressure, and the capability to manage multiple activities simultaneously are essential. The Event & Sales Manager will also need to stay updated on trends in the wedding industry and build and maintain excellent working relationships with both internal and external vendors to foster growth within the business and the Hampton Roads wedding industry.

Responsibilities

• Client/account management, maintaining excellent communication with clients throughout the process.
• Work with clients from the initial inquiry to overseeing the execution of the event, including site visits, contracts, planning, tastings, and confirmations.
• Develop event menus with clients, coordinating food and beverage through Lesner Inn.
• Work with the Chef on special orders and customer allergies.
• Prepare quotes and proposals for new and existing clients.
• Secure timely deposits and process credit card transactions, including invoicing and follow-up receipts.
• Manage contract management and collection of payments due.
• Oversee event execution, including setup, breakdown, and all details in between.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with internal and external vendors.
• Stay on top of trends in the wedding industry.

Requirements

• Fundamental knowledge of hospitality and management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• High-energy with excellent customer service and sales skills.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Expertise in sales and event planning.
• Education in social media marketing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays.
• Strong work ethic focused on teamwork.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple activities simultaneously.
• Ability to focus attention on clients' and guests' needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times.
• Ability to manage a staff and coordinate event planning details.

Benefits

• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off