Business Development Manager - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Palazzo Versace Dubai

Description

Basic Function: Selling and servicing Hotel to wedding clients - couples and planners - to increase number of wedding with positive contribution to room revenues and food & beverage while providing high level of customer service. Work closely with Marketing department to properly promote and position property as a wedding destination.

Work Performed:

• Develop strong relationship with wedding planning firms through prospecting and presentation efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel and proper positioning of the hotel as a wedding destination.
• Review wedding sourcing platforms and marketing opportunities to ensure continued growth of qualified wedding inquiries
• Responding to all wedding inquiries in a prompt and professional manner, assisting clients on options best suited to both the couple's needs and the hotel's successful operation while providing excellent service
• Conduct all site visit and follow up with the potential client to secure the business.
• Worked closely with Director of Sales and Events to optimize schedule and business options.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, continually seeking opportunities from unique resources such as wedding professional associations, bloggers and influencers, vendors and sourcing sites
• Create and expertly execute wedding FAM experiences at hotel to best showcase offerings and grow content for wedding marketing
• Employ excellent communication and listening skills to qualify clients and grow conversion of leads.
• Research, identify, analyze and develop new business opportunities
• Creative use of social media and other research/prospecting tools to reach potential wedding couples and event planning firms
• Manage current accounts / clientele to ensure continued profitability
• Plan and execute sales travel to qualified wedding showcases, industry events, trade shows and hotel FAM trips in accordance with the property policies
• Expert knowledge of luxury hotels, event space and services accurately and with hotel profitability in mind
• Continuously grow knowledge of destinations and infrastructures, allowing for better communication of options and benefits to potential clients
• Prepare accurate proposals, cost estimates and contracts
• Work with accounting department to provide proper documentation to prepare deposit and payment estimates
• Develop new / customized promotions or packages and submit recommendations to the Director of Sales & Events for review and approval
• Share important client information to all applicable departments / staff on site and contract turnovers
• Develop strong, mutually beneficial partnership with local and state vendors to enhance wedding and optimize revenues.
• Provide consistent reporting as requested, including annual Strategic Sales Plan for weddings market
• Participate in Sales / Marketing/Operational meetings
• Maintain flexible schedule including weekends, evening and early morning hours and holidays, modifying hours as needed to ensure best sales efforts
• Work closely with Events, Banquets and Conference Service team to ensure proper service and coverage
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Responsibility & Authority:

• Deal effectively with departments and maintain regular communication
• Ensure that weddings / guests have a positive experience, taking necessary steps to correct deficiencies
• Negotiate room blocks, room rates, function space, food and beverage prices, and resort services within approved departmental booking guidelines
• Confirm in writing to the client and all affected resort departments all group requirements via group sales contract
  
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from four-year College or university; or equivalent related work related experience.
• Minimum 5 years wedding/catering sales experience in a high-end venue and/or full-service hotel/resort.
• Must practice superior sales skills that result in closing of sales and ensures building and maintaining of professional business relations.
• Must have proven track record for anticipating and following through on leads to maximize sales.
• Ability to problem solve and follow through to ensure client needs/expectations are exceeded.
• Must have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with ease.
• Computer skills required.
• Ability to travel, and project a professional self-image.
• Must have the ability to work productively with internal sales staff and other operating departments.
• Ability to handle obstacles in a positive and professional manner and to effectively communicate these problems, along with suggested solutions to immediate supervisor.
• Strong guest and team member relations skills.
• Strong ability to adapt to change.