Conference & Events Sales Manager - The Halls, Wolverhampton

CGC Event Caterers are seeking a Conference & Events Sales Manager to manage the Conference & Events division at its new venue operation at The Halls, Wolverhampton.

Due to open late Spring 2023 following a significant building fabric refurbishment by the local authority and

ASM’s final fit out The Halls shall consist of the Civic a 3,400-capacity room and the Wulfrun at 1,200 capacity.

With a strong concert history and the addition of a new in-house catering solution we expect the re-launched venues to be holding more than 250 event nights pa.

CGC Event Caterers is a long established caterer with decades of experience in the hospitality industry. We operate at venues of all sizes and have exclusivity at prominent sporting, entertainment and cultural locations across the UK and is also the European Catering Division for ASM Global, the global leader in the delivery of live entertainment and events.

In the UK, we operate at the following venues:

• The Yorkshire Event Centre – Harrogate
• The Sun Pavilion – Harrogate
• The Lincolnshire Epic Centre – Lincoln
• LNER Community Stadium – York
• 8 Yorkshire Racecourses including the world famous York Racecourse
• Nottingham Theatre Royal and Concert Hall
• Bonus Arena – Hull

POSITION PURPOSE

To lead the commercial delivery of all aspects associated with conference and other event related business at The Halls, Wolverhampton in particular, focusing on maximising usage of the venue's facilities and services whilst taking into consideration all restrictions and boundaries placed on the venue.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To lead in developing and converting sales opportunities, including lead generation and, where possible, any other commercial sales opportunities to achieve and succeed allocated budgets.
• Co-ordinate and manage incoming enquiries via all media (telephone, facsimile, e-mail, and walk-in) accordingly, and conduct sales and familiarisation visits with prospective clients.
• To be responsible for the management of the diary system, in association with other departments, and to maximise the availability of the diary in conjunction with the Venue Scheduling team, along with analysis of progress and conversion of all provisional business.
• To establish, maintain and develop effective working relationships with external agencies, companies, and individuals.
• Produce event details and charges sheets and supervise administrative aspects of conference and other event related business, including but not limited to; contracting new bookings, invoice generation, maintaining and updating sales reports and the production of sales demographic reports.
• To ensure the effective communication of client requirements to all relevant internal departments and service providers, including the production of weekly event schedules and all updates.
• To oversee and, where required, assist with the on-site operational supervision of all conference and other event related business.
• To develop and maintain all systems and procedures in relation to conference and other event related business, including service levels and standards, in association with all relevant departments and service providers.
• To pro-actively promote and market, internally and externally, all commercial activities through appropriate media with the allocated budget.
• To attend and exhibit at industry expos and networking events in order to promote the venue and make connections with potential clients.
• To proactively analyse, maintain and develop existing and previous client relationships through a range of activities and communications.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• A strong background in the supervision, administration and organisation of conference/events operations.
• Experience of proactively seeking out new business opportunities, and/or developing client relationships.
• Proven negotiation and sales experience.
• The ability to project manage a number of activities at the same time.
• Excellent administration and organisational skills.
• Examples of self-motivation and ability to work on own initiative.
• Experience of building and sustaining good internal working relationships.
• Creativity and the ability to work as part of team or on an individual basis.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Smart appearance and good presentation.
• Excellent written, telephone and interpersonal skills.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

The following attributes would be advantageous;

• Knowledge of menu planning, catering operations and wine
• Knowledge in the use of a variety of different types of audio-visual equipment
• Previous experience of team management.
• An understanding of the Health and Safety issues related to event management
• An understanding of other legal issues related to building operations
• Knowledge of Event Booking, the central diary system used by the venue

GENERAL INFORMATION

The requirements of the business are such that it is necessary to have a flexible approach and therefore some business-related travel to be able to work at our venues and operational sites will be required.

I have read the Position Description detailed above and I fully understand and accept the position as described therein.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Life insurance
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Wolverhampton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Conference & Events Sales Manager