Catering Sales Manager

Department Summary

The Luskin Conference Center (LCC) is a 300,000-square-foot, 7-story property on the UCLA campus. The LCC is comprised of 254 guest rooms, approximately 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a 160-seat restaurant, a fitness center, and a business center. The LCC is an academic meeting and conference destination supporting UCLA's education and research mission. The Luskin Conference Center is a no-tipping environment.

Position Summary

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for identifying new business partnerships to secure revenue streams for the Luskin Conference Center and is the point of contact for actively managing external vendors and affinity partners to: develop and outline contract parameters, establish event timelines and deadlines, select appropriate media channels, establish catering sales performance goals and collaborate with senior level corporate, business and community leaders to identify and develop opportunities for key relationships designed to maximize event sales and revenue-generating programs. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring effective relationships and open communications with colleagues to coordinate revenue generation, marketing plans, and strategic placement of communications with consistency of messages regarding LCC Catering Sales and presents and negotiates rates with clients.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years Experience in a catering sales manager position (Required) Or
• 3+ years Experience in hospitality group sales (Required)
• Ability to close sales and negotiate high-dollar-value financial contracts (Required)
• Working knowledge of catering and conferencing business, including menu planning, current trends in food and entertaining, basic room set-ups and capacities, and audio-visual equipment. (Required)
• Analytical skills sufficient to contribute to marketing and sales plans (Required)
• Accounting and math skills sufficient to prepare cost estimates, proposals, and billing explanations (Required)
• Experience maintaining a high standard of productivity within a broad scope of responsibility despite frequent interruptions. Ability to complete a large volume of diverse tasks efficiently, meeting established deadlines (Required)
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills including political acumen and social perceptiveness (Required)
• Ability to give clear directives and use independent, rational judgment when making decisions and managing events (Required)
• Proficient skill using standard business software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite) and hospitality sales software (e.g. Delphi) (Required)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with diverse populations with competing priorities (Required)
• Skill in writing grammatically correct business English, such as conference proposals, memos, and other routine correspondence (Required)
• Sufficient knowledge of University accounting forms and procedures to accomplish standard departmental accounting transactions (Preferred)
• Working knowledge of the policies and procedures of Housing & Hospitality operational units, such as the Food & Beverage department (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
• Driving Record: The position is subject to the California DMV "Pull Notice System" and continued employment is contingent upon proof of a satisfactory driving record.
• Must carry a University cell phone (Required)
• Occasional attendance at offsite conferences and meetings (Required)
• Evening, weekend, and holiday work as business dictates (Required)
• Drive University vehicles, such as electric carts, for meetings, site inspections, etc. (Required)
• 5% Domestic travel

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered