Sales & Events Manager

As Bodega Taqueria y Tequila continues to expand its national footprint in we are looking for an experienced Sales & Events Manager to join our team in Chicago, IL Come join a growing brand and an incredible team

Offering traditional Mexican favorites as well as unconventional and innovative interpretations, Bodega specializes in tacos and tequila in a dynamic, eclectic “puebla” inspired setting. Disguised behind a meat locker door, the no-name speakeasy behind Bodega comes alive at night, serving up Miami's best tequila and cocktails in an environment that brings the fabric of the community together – artists and musicians, locals and travelers alike – for late night conversation, performances and fun.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sales and Events Manager is responsible for the sales and execution of: corporate and social events, marketing related initiatives, off-site city-wide events, and holidays. This position is in touch with the community and comp set for relevant programming and specials and makes suggestions and implements as needed.

This is a salaried plus commission role requiring mobility to work within the Chicago, IL area.

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE:

• BEOs are fully detailed and communicated with Operations and Kitchen Teams in advance of activations and events.
• Participating in regularly scheduled Networking Events to interact with community.
• Manages List of preferred vendors.
• 360 degree approach to selling – work with various departments to create assets, eblasts, and social materials to promote venue and offers
• Maintains relationships with past customers to create loyal client database
• Uses tools such as adapt.io, ezcater, convention calendars, chamber member databases to initiate outreach and generate relationships, while working with brand team to create assets
• Brainstorms campaigns and strategies on a quarterly basis to drive sales on a corporate sales level and marketing level to bring in local customers.
• Programming related initiatives are suggested and implemented on a property level.
• Works with the Brand team to capture content from events and programming
• 3rd party listings are up to date and monitored for most recent information, imagery and special offers
• Manages schedule for weekly cold calls and outreach to drive new business to venues
• Manages budget of catering drops, collateral and activations for events
• Works with the team to maintain Inventory cleanliness and presentation for events
• Identify opportunities to drive catering sales

SALES

• Responsible for the organization of private events from a finalized contract through execution.
• Manages lead process and client communications through Tripleseat and makes updates in real time.
• Facilitate all BEO communication between departments
• Attend weekly operations meetings
• Sales Manager is responsible for the execution of event and able to greet clients as needed
• Manage personal networking calendar to target new business initiatives
• Weekly Reports to be sent out to management and ownership detailing activity for the week, definite, tentative and prospecting events.
• Identify opportunities to attend networking events, drive catering sales, and host groups to achieve monthly and annual sales goals
• Facilitate site visits, conference calls, and offsite appointments to solicit and maintain relationships
• Ensure that proposals, contracts, reservations and reports are generated correctly
• Travel to conduct domestic and international sales calls as indicated on the annual travel plan and report on each via pre and post trip reports
• Prepare weekly and monthly activity and production reports for the Director of Sales in Triple Seat
• Execute projects as assigned by Marketing team.

MARKETING

• Marketing event responsibilities will include building concierge packages, sourcing & purchasing of special events swag, calendar of marketing events & coordination, coordinating local gyms & work spaces marketing happy hours, coordinating local resident building happy hours, and hotel guest activations
• Work with local DJs and vendors to drive local business and create programmed nights that are on brand, profitable, and promoted accordingly.
• Facilitate any printed or branded items necessary for events from the Marketing Manager
• Responsible for communicating to both operations and brand team any social media or website updates related to programming and events as well as signage needed for venue closed during buyouts.
• Managing all guest lists for events and optimizing email address collection
• Proactively create content at events and works with photographers from clients to gather images to upload to website, one drive (etc)
• Work closely with the social media manager to promote and amplify all branded events and specials, as well as assist in gathering any necessary assets prior to event to promote on social channels.
• Communicate any signage needs, menus, or programming assets and work with brand marketing team to update with graphic designer
• Act as liaison between operations, brand partner, and marketing team to ensure all deliverables are on site for any offsite event
• Responsible for working with graphic designer to create any necessary branded collateral for events (menus, drink tickets etc)

Minimum Requirements:

• 5+ years of sales management experience, with at least 3 year of hospitality or food & beverage experience strongly preferred..
• Able to prioritize multiple tasks and approach colleagues and vendors with professional courtesy despite pressures of a Sales Manager's responsibilities.
• Must have a high degree of professional integrity, and be able to work safely, effectively, and efficiently.
• Must have skills in database, spreadsheet, or other Microsoft applications.
• Organizational skills are required to maintain records.
• Must be comfortable working late-night and weekend hours as needed.

Safety Requirements:

All Team Members are required to abide by all Safety rules and ensure they perform each task by practicing safe work habits. Any associate who incurs any type of injury is required to report immediately to their immediate supervisor.

Communication Requirements:

• Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly, and cordially with staff and vendors.
• Ability to read and write English to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms.
• Proficiency in effectively presenting information and responding to questions from staff and vendors.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, stand; walk; full dexterity in use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.