Catering Coporate Sales Manager

As the Catering Corporate Sales Manager at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, you'll be responsible for soliciting and managing corporate and social event bookings. You'll handle Cvent leads, prepare detailed contracts, and coordinate with clients to ensure their events exceed expectations. It involves extensive organization, communication across departments, and a deep understanding of the luxury hotel market.

To qualify for the Catering Corporate Sales Manager role at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, candidates should possess a degree in Hospitality Management or a similar field, along with at least four years of hotel catering and conference planning experience. Additionally, proficiency in event planning software and a solid understanding of the luxury market are crucial.

At Fairmont Grand Del Mar, diversity is a core value. The company is committed to attracting, recruiting, and promoting diverse talent across all roles, including the Catering Corporate Sales Manager. This commitment ensures that a variety of perspectives and backgrounds contribute to the unique experiences offered at the resort.

The Catering Corporate Sales Manager position at Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers a competitive annual salary range of $75,000 to $90,000. This compensation reflects the value placed on experience and the ability to successfully manage corporate and social events at one of the premier luxury resorts in San Diego.

Essential skills for the Catering Corporate Sales Manager at Fairmont Grand Del Mar include exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to plan and execute events effectively. Familiarity with hospitality software such as Opera, Excel, and Social Tables will also enhance your performance in this role.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar fosters a vibrant company culture that embraces creativity, inclusivity, and teamwork. As a Catering Corporate Sales Manager, you'll be supported in personal growth while being encouraged to challenge the status quo, making your work meaningful and impactful within the organization.

At Fairmont Grand Del Mar, opportunities for growth and advancement are integral to the company’s philosophy. The organization actively encourages continued learning and offers numerous pathways for career progression, allowing the Catering Corporate Sales Manager to refine skills while exploring new responsibilities.

When answering this question, highlight specific corporate events you’ve managed, detailing your role and the outcomes of those events. Mention challenges faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and expertise in corporate event planning.

It's crucial to convey flexibility and a calm demeanor when addressing last-minute changes. Share a specific example where you successfully adapted to unexpected challenges during an event, emphasizing your organizational skills and ability to communicate effectively with the team and clients.

Discuss your approach to creating successful client relationships by stating how you maintain open communication, follow up regularly, and personalize interactions. Highlight any tools or platforms you utilize for maintaining client profiles and preferences.

Illustrate your time-management skills by explaining your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as creating lists, using project management tools, or setting deadlines. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully managed overlapping timelines while ensuring the quality of each event.

Be sure to detail your experience leading a team during events, describing your communication style, delegation methods, and how you ensure everyone knows their roles. Acknowledging teamwork's significance will resonate well with interviewers.

Discuss the importance of evaluation and feedback in your planning process. Explain how you actively seek feedback from clients and team members, and how you implement changes based on that feedback to improve future events.

Use this question to demonstrate your knowledge about Fairmont Grand Del Mar specifically. Discuss its unique offerings, commitment to diversity, or its stunning location and amenities. Show enthusiasm for the brand and its values.

Be specific about the budget ranges you've handled and how you ensure events stay within them. It’s helpful to mention tools or software you’ve used for tracking, as well as how you negotiate with vendors to maximize the client's ROI.

Describe your logistical planning process — from initial consultation with clients, site visits, creating timelines, to coordinating with different departments. Providing an example of a successful event can illustrate your capability effectively.

Emphasize your commitment to professional development by mentioning relevant publications, attending industry events, or participating in webinars. Staying informed also helps you bring innovative ideas to your role as a Catering Corporate Sales Manager.