Social Catering Sales Manager-The Ben Hotel

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Social Catering Sales Manager

Position Focus

The Social Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating, securing, and servicing social catering business at The Ben Hotel, including weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, milestone celebrations, galas, reunions, and other special occasions.

This role creates a refined, personalized client experience from the first inquiry through the event’s completion. The Social Catering Sales Manager will represent The Ben with polish, warmth, creativity, and exceptional attention to detail while achieving established revenue and profitability goals.

Essential Responsibilities

• Solicit, negotiate, and secure new and repeat social catering business through prospecting, networking, referrals, site tours, community partnerships, and direct sales efforts.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, wedding planners, social hosts, vendors, and local community partners.

• Respond to inquiries and leads promptly, ideally the same day or by 10:00 a.m. the following business day.

• Conduct engaging, personalized site tours that showcase The Ben’s event spaces, culinary offerings, waterfront setting, and luxury service experience.

• Prepare tailored proposals, contracts, menus, and event documentation that reflect the client’s vision and maximize revenue opportunities.

• Negotiate pricing, terms, and event details within established hotel guidelines.

• Plan, detail, and upsell all aspects of each event, including space requirements, timelines, menus, beverage selections, décor, entertainment, audiovisual needs, and special guest requests.

• Prepare complete and accurate banquet event orders, contracts, resumes, and other required paperwork.

• Partner with Event Planning, Banquets, Culinary, Food and Beverage, Rooms, and other departments to ensure a seamless transition from sale to execution.

• Attend pre-convention meetings, client meetings, site visits, and select events as needed to support the client experience and operational success.

• Resolve client concerns with discretion, urgency, and a solution-focused approach.

• Maintain organized, current client records, account notes, traces, and sales activity within the hotel’s sales system.

• Monitor market trends, local competition, and social event opportunities to strengthen sales strategies and capture new business.

• Meet or exceed established revenue, productivity, and activity goals.

• Represent The Ben and Sage Hospitality with integrity, professionalism, and a service-focused approach at all times.

• Maintain a polished, business-appropriate appearance and communicate professionally with clients, guests, and associates.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Focus

At Sage Hospitality, how we work matters just as much as what we do. We are guided by a shared purpose to enrich lives, one experience at a time, and a vision to redefine how the world experiences hospitality.

At The Ben, we embrace:

A Notorious Host, ReimaginedInspired by Byrd Spilman Dewey’s legendary Ben Trovato Estate, The Ben carries on its namesake’s reputation as a spirited gathering place on the West Palm Beach waterfront.

Tropical Roots, Modern LuxuriesThe Ben blends the warmth and character of historic Florida with contemporary comfort, sophisticated design, and thoughtful service.

Waterfront Boutique, Autograph CharacterAs a 208-room boutique hotel within Marriott’s Autograph Collection, The Ben offers a distinct setting for conversation, celebration, and discovery.

All associates play an essential role in creating welcoming, inclusive environments where kindness, hospitality, and excellence are felt by guests and teams alike.

Job Overview

The Social Catering Sales Manager creates and secures exceptional social events at The Ben Hotel, including weddings, milestone celebrations, galas, reunions, and private gatherings. This role builds meaningful client relationships, leads personalized site tours, develops tailored proposals, negotiates and books business, and partners with hotel teams to deliver seamless, luxury experiences from the first inquiry through the event’s completion.

The ideal candidate is a polished, relationship-driven sales professional with catering or luxury hospitality experience, strong attention to detail, and a passion for creating celebrations that are exactly like nothing else.

Responsibilities

• Solicit, negotiate, and secure new and repeat social catering business, including weddings, celebrations, galas, reunions, and private events.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, wedding planners, vendors, and local community partners.

• Conduct personalized site tours that showcase The Ben’s waterfront spaces, culinary offerings, and luxury guest experience.

• Create tailored proposals, contracts, menus, and event plans that reflect each client’s vision and maximize revenue.

• Plan, detail, and upsell event elements including event space, menus, beverage selections, décor, entertainment, audiovisual needs, timelines, and special requests.

• Prepare accurate contracts, banquet event orders, resumes, and other event documentation.

• Partner with Event Planning, Banquets, Culinary, Food and Beverage, and other hotel teams to ensure seamless execution.

• Attend client meetings, pre-event meetings, site visits, and select events as needed.

• Respond promptly and professionally to client inquiries, leads, and concerns.

• Maintain organized client records, sales activity, follow-up traces, and account details within the sales system.

• Identify new business opportunities through networking, prospecting, referrals, and market research.

• Meet or exceed established revenue, productivity, and activity goals.

• Represent The Ben with professionalism, warmth, discretion, and exceptional attention to detail.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• More than two years of post-high school education preferred.

• One to two years of experience in catering sales, event sales, wedding sales, food and beverage, luxury hospitality, or a related role required.

• Experience supporting weddings, social events, or high-touch luxury experiences preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough knowledge of catering, food and beverage, menu development, event planning, and pricing.

• Strong ability to build relationships, negotiate, sell, influence, and provide polished service to clients and guests.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare proposals, contracts, menus, marketing plans, and event programs.

• Ability to analyze information, identify opportunities, and make sound recommendations.

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a calm, polished, and client-focused approach.

• Knowledge of hotel policies and procedures, with the ability to apply sound judgment within established guidelines.

• Ability to travel to outside sales calls. A valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, clients, and associates.

• Ability to inspect event setups and review event details.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during site inspections and functions.

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to bend, kneel, climb stairs, and move throughout the hotel and event spaces as needed.

• Ability to travel locally for outside sales calls and client meetings.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily indoors, with periodic outdoor exposure for sales calls, site tours, and events.

• Schedule flexibility is required, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays based on client and business needs.

Benefits

The Ben Hotel and Sage Hospitality offer eligible associates a comprehensive benefits package that supports well-being, growth, and travel.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Health savings and flexible spending account options

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Paid leave through Sage’s Independence Plan for eligible salaried associates

• Marriott travel discounts

• Sage Hospitality hotel and restaurant discounts

• Employee assistance program

• Career development and advancement opportunities within Sage Hospitality and Marriott

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and plan terms.

Salary