Event Sales Manager

The Drake has been a part of the community and our guests' lives since 2004. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, The Drake is a growing Canadian hospitality brand focused on lifestyle hotels, food + drink and special events. To this day, we're the destination for the curious. At The Drake, we celebrate emerging music and art, serve food and drinks that reimagine the classics, and inspire our team and guests to embrace fresh perspectives. We're more than a place to sleep, eat + drink; we believe culture and community matter and are committed to an exceptional hospitality experience delivered in our signature style; one that is genuine, personal, memorable and embraces the energy of discovery. We value honesty and spontaneity because that's the stuff of real connection and believe that hospitality is an act of care. The Drake Hotel (Toronto), Drake Devonshire Inn (Wellington, Prince Edward County), and Drake Motor Inn (Wellington, Prince Edward County) are each reflective of their respective neighbourhoods as inclusive hubs for unique and diverse experiences through art, culture and hospitality with great seasonal menus, a robust cocktail list, carefully curated curiosities, and genuine hospitality excellence for all.

Working with The Drake means that you will have the opportunity to work alongside like-minded individuals in an inclusive, entrepreneurial, and team-oriented environment. As someone who is curious, collaborative and a continuous learner, you'll have limitless opportunities to make an impact and to be recognized for it. The Event Sales Manager is responsible for driving revenue for Drake Hotel Properties through creating an effective revenue management strategy to ensure the hotel's profitability in all market conditions through sales and marketing tactics. They must meet budget and revenue targets, participate in sales and outreach to high-profile clients, and negotiate contracts. Working with the Director of Sales, this role will set prices and discounts, devise marketing strategies for expanding their client base, and work to increase sales and improve client satisfaction. Must understand spaces thoroughly and interface with relevant operations teams to ensure effective selling of spaces.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales and marketing strategies and initiatives relative to your territory.
• Support sales by following up on sales leads and creating special accounts.
• Identify customer needs, develop collateral, and determine product pricing and discount rates.
• Develop and implement facility sales and marketing strategy.
• Develop and maintain an external network of peers and customers.
• Manage large + legacy client accounts to grow their business & ensure repeat sales.
• Act as a liaison between event coordinators and operating departments.
• Monitor guest reactions while in-house to find opportunities to exceed expectations and handle any guest complaints ensuring 100% guest satisfaction.

• Actively book events, corporate and social in nature, including Weddings; pass on all guestroom details to Reservationist for coordination of guestrooms and pass off coordination of events to Event Coordination.
• Proactively seek business opportunities by networking with existing event clients + day-to-day patrons.
• Ensure that sales targets are met monthly (85% to target at a minimum).
• Monitor sales collateral + menu offerings to ensure that they are factually accurate and current.
• Liaise with Director of F+B, Hotel Rooms Sales Manager, and Marketing to create necessary packages, blitzes + outreach programs to ensure that the sales pipeline is always active.
• Attend weekly Hotel Pace Report meeting.
• Participate in Weekly one-on-one pace report and check-in meeting.

• Effectively sell meetings/event offerings by presenting the varied and multi-use Drake venues.
• Strategically solicit new business from potential and existing clients through pre-planned personal sales calls, emails, and in-person; maintain regular contact with present accounts to maximize repeat business.
• Prepare tailored proposals for prospective clients. Conduct site inspections, highlighting dining, meeting, and event spaces.
• Prepare the weekly PACE reports, forecasting, booked business, and action plans for the following week.
• Monitor the products and services of competitors.
• General oversight of event details in Triple Seat, including specific event requirements to ensure successful planning and delivery of the event.
• Maintain updated records of clients and prospective clients.
• Oversee and ensure that correct credit information is received and follows proper billing procedures.
• Provide client feedback to department heads and work collaboratively towards a positive response to customer complaints and resolves problems.
• Support in the development of Special Event SOPs + Systems, Vendor Lists, AV Tech Sheets.
• Create strong industry networks by participating in industry events (CMCC, WedLuxe, Catersource, IMEX).
• Continually look for ways to increase revenue by developing Add-On programs to create upselling opportunities in the form of activations and packages.
• Responsible for overseeing the coordination of events by the Events Coordinator, taking on coordination responsibilities when required.

• Previous sales experience in hospitality and events.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Professional presentation and recognized ability for persuasive sales.
• Advanced organization and planning skills and the ability to respect tight schedules.
• Beneficial to have working knowledge of Excel, Triple Seat, Opera Sales and Catering, Silverware.

We pride ourselves in providing strong leadership and development opportunities for passionate hospitality professionals who are looking to build rewarding, long-term careers. Drake offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, employee discounts, training + development support and many other unique perks as a part of joining the Drake team.