Event and Sales Director

Event & Sales Director

The Event & Sales Director will oversee our teams throughout the country as they provide property level event and sales support for ThinkFoodGroup Restaurants. First and foremost, this role will work to ensure the success of all on-site and off-site events. They will work to build and develop the relationships to ensure a growing events business for all restaurants. This includes working with company leadership to set and meet sales goals, develop budgets, develop marketing strategies, create partnerships with community groups and make sure we exceed guest expectations. This position reports to the Head of Marketing.

Events

Working alongside larger marketing team and property-level teams to identify opportunities for small and large-scale activations to drive positive outcomes. Actively gather information from all parties; both inside and outside of TFG to guarantee the success of all events and provide all information necessary to teams to execute each event. Develop and execute strategies for selling standard and unique offerings at ThinkFoodGroup restaurants across event and catering verticals. Provide budgets and event details for approval including, ROI potential as well as postmortem feedback. Expected to coordinate and execute non-profit, for-profit events and exclusive high-profile events. Ensure that exceptional service is provided at each event including day of support, communication with multiple vendors, coordinating with internal local teams and internal stakeholders. The Event & Sales Director should also Implement innovative techniques, regional and seasonal products to use in our restaurants including menu presentation, execution, small wares and other components. 

Finance/Budgets

Actively manage events team to maintain uniformity of contracts, party summaries, invoicing and pricing. Develops and executes a plan to meet sales goals and stay within department budgets. Manage event’s budget and P&L. Actively adjust pricing to meet cost targets. Work with General Managers (GMs) and Head Chefs (HCs) in regard to minimums, pricing, menus and execution of events within the restaurants. Work directly with HCs and GMs on all partial and full buyouts. Ensure timely submission of period, quarterly and bi-Annual reporting.

Team Management

The Event & Sales Director mentors and supports the Events Management team in exceeding sales goals, their personal career goals, individual restaurant goals and team budget. Further, this position is responsible for timely and accurate reporting of numbers, timely and useful commentary, engagement to the needs of each of the Restaurants and help to foster a positive environment between the entities.

Communication with General Managers, Head Chefs is critical to maintain standards and systems are being followed or met. Regularly conduct team meetings and one on ones with event managers. Guide the team to work with the marketing specialists and ensure they are engaged with the needs of each restaurant. Regularly follow up with our restaurant leadership to review successes and areas for improvement.

Group Sales & Marketing

Pursue and implement strategic short and long-term planning and partnerships with entities such as corporate offices, financial institutions, luxury goods, beverage companies, government, destination marketing, event planning and cultural agencies to drive revenue for TFG properties. Coordinate with Head of Marketing in designing and implementing marketing strategies to present catering and events as a cohesive TFG brand inclusive of all physical, social and digital touchpoints. Assist in coordinating photo shoots, virtual tours and the development of necessary collateral and Event Sales Kits to support our business – tailored to each location. Networking within event community and attendance of monthly local group meetings. Cultivate relationships with key partners, community leaders/groups and prepare management plans for each partner.

Skills and Job Requirements

• 8-10 Years of Event planning and sales with a minimum of 2 years managing others.
• Base salary plus commission
• Requires developed communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Most tasks are performed independently or in a team environment with the employee acting as a team leader.
• Ability to maintain compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations where relating to catering.
• Extensive knowledge of upscale or fine dining event service and sales skills.
• Ability to supervise, train and motivate multiple levels of employees.
• Extensive knowledge of event industry, restaurants and competitive markets.
• Extensive knowledge of revenue management.
• Participation in the development of short and long term financial and operational goals for the events department.
• Ability to give clear, concise directions.
• Readily adjusts to circumstances and manages change effectively. Maintains professionalism in difficult situations.
• Organizes work to use time effectively and efficiently and regularly meets project deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, multi-task and manage time effectively.
• Ability to implement and maintain quality and service standards to produce a consistent guest experience.
• Proficiency working with event management platforms – Tripleseat preferred
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Word, Excel and event pricing/management software.

Event & Sales Director

The Event & Sales Director will oversee our teams throughout the country as they provide property level event and sales support for ThinkFoodGroup Restaurants. First and foremost, this role will work to ensure the success of all on-site and off-site events. They will work to build and develop the relationships to ensure a growing events business for all restaurants. This includes working with company leadership to set and meet sales goals, develop budgets, develop marketing strategies, create partnerships with community groups and make sure we exceed guest expectations. This position reports to the Head of Marketing.

Events

Working alongside larger marketing team and property-level teams to identify opportunities for small and large-scale activations to drive positive outcomes. Actively gather information from all parties; both inside and outside of TFG to guarantee the success of all events and provide all information necessary to teams to execute each event. Develop and execute strategies for selling standard and unique offerings at ThinkFoodGroup restaurants across event and catering verticals. Provide budgets and event details for approval including, ROI potential as well as postmortem feedback. Expected to coordinate and execute non-profit, for-profit events and exclusive high-profile events. Ensure that exceptional service is provided at each event including day of support, communication with multiple vendors, coordinating with internal local teams and internal stakeholders. The Event & Sales Director should also Implement innovative techniques, regional and seasonal products to use in our restaurants including menu presentation, execution, small wares and other components. 

Finance/Budgets

Actively manage events team to maintain uniformity of contracts, party summaries, invoicing and pricing. Develops and executes a plan to meet sales goals and stay within department budgets. Manage event’s budget and P&L. Actively adjust pricing to meet cost targets. Work with General Managers (GMs) and Head Chefs (HCs) in regard to minimums, pricing, menus and execution of events within the restaurants. Work directly with HCs and GMs on all partial and full buyouts. Ensure timely submission of period, quarterly and bi-Annual reporting.

Team Management

The Event & Sales Director mentors and supports the Events Management team in exceeding sales goals, their personal career goals, individual restaurant goals and team budget. Further, this position is responsible for timely and accurate reporting of numbers, timely and useful commentary, engagement to the needs of each of the Restaurants and help to foster a positive environment between the entities.

Communication with General Managers, Head Chefs is critical to maintain standards and systems are being followed or met. Regularly conduct team meetings and one on ones with event managers. Guide the team to work with the marketing specialists and ensure they are engaged with the needs of each restaurant. Regularly follow up with our restaurant leadership to review successes and areas for improvement.

Group Sales & Marketing

Pursue and implement strategic short and long-term planning and partnerships with entities such as corporate offices, financial institutions, luxury goods, beverage companies, government, destination marketing, event planning and cultural agencies to drive revenue for TFG properties. Coordinate with Head of Marketing in designing and implementing marketing strategies to present catering and events as a cohesive TFG brand inclusive of all physical, social and digital touchpoints. Assist in coordinating photo shoots, virtual tours and the development of necessary collateral and Event Sales Kits to support our business – tailored to each location. Networking within event community and attendance of monthly local group meetings. Cultivate relationships with key partners, community leaders/groups and prepare management plans for each partner.

Skills and Job Requirements

• 8-10 Years of Event planning and sales with a minimum of 2 years managing others.
• Base salary plus commission
• Requires developed communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Most tasks are performed independently or in a team environment with the employee acting as a team leader.
• Ability to maintain compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations where relating to catering.
• Extensive knowledge of upscale or fine dining event service and sales skills.
• Ability to supervise, train and motivate multiple levels of employees.
• Extensive knowledge of event industry, restaurants and competitive markets.
• Extensive knowledge of revenue management.
• Participation in the development of short and long term financial and operational goals for the events department.
• Ability to give clear, concise directions.
• Readily adjusts to circumstances and manages change effectively. Maintains professionalism in difficult situations.
• Organizes work to use time effectively and efficiently and regularly meets project deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, multi-task and manage time effectively.
• Ability to implement and maintain quality and service standards to produce a consistent guest experience.
• Proficiency working with event management platforms – Tripleseat preferred
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Word, Excel and event pricing/management software.