Event Sales Executive

The Holiday Inn Brentford Lock nestled overlooking the scenic waterways of the Grand Union Canal. This four-star hotel is located in west London and has been created for comfort and style and offers a warm and welcoming service to all guests. The hotel has 6 modern meeting rooms and 134 en-suite bedrooms; it is the first in Europe to have a revolutionary open lobby concept. With good transports link, the hotel can be easily accessed by public transport. Brentford train station is about 10 minutes' walk to the hotel. Our employees have been playing a tremendous part in the hotel and our team success, from our employee engagement being above 89%.

Job Description

The key purpose of the Event Sales Executive role is to take the responsibility for group bookings, meetings & special events. You will ensure a high level of service throughout the complete transaction and through co-ordination with the Sales Office Manager and Regional Sales Office, hotel departments, and customer, takes total responsibility of the finalization of the assigned group & events. Actively upsells each business opportunity to maximize revenue. Achieves personal and team related revenue goals. Ensures business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for proper service delivery.

What We Offer

We want our staff to enjoy coming to work and provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to work in. You’ll develop personally through meeting and working with people from all over the world as we create memorable guest experiences together, and for those keen to develop you’ll have the opportunity to explore the business with various career options. In addition, on offer:

Free Meals on Duty
Free Parking
Salary drawdown via wagestream - In minutes be able to draw down your 50% of your salary before payday using the Wagestream app.
Saving tools - Use of the wagestream application to save money.
Apprentiship programmes available
Learning and Development Opportunities available through our Leadership Development Programmes
Heavily discounted hotel stays and food & beverage discounts at IHG Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
Uniform provided
24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family. Giving you access to counselling services, physical wellbeing & financial aid.
Life Assurance
28 holiday days (pro rata for part time)
Automatic Enrolment into a workplace pension scheme

About Us

The Holiday Inn London Brentford Lock is a four-star, 134-bedroom full-service hotel overlooking the scenic waterways of the Grand Union Canal.

Boasting 6 meeting rooms, as well as a unique open lobby concept with a lounge, feels suitable for both business and leisure travellers.
Located only 20 minutes from central London and London Heathrow Airport, the hotel offers the best of both worlds – a city break with green, open spaces away from the city-centre bustle.

Role in our Family

Key deliverables:

• Serve the customer by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and services that best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a continuing relationship and loyalty to IHG.
• Display leadership in guest hospitality and ensure consistently high levels of customer service throughout all phases of hotel events.
• Ensure products and services sold to Event Planners meet or exceed expectations.
• Maximize revenue by up selling contracted products to event planners and attendees.
• Identify additional revenue opportunities for the hotel based on the event profile.
• Work collaboratively with off-property sales channels to ensure sales efforts are coordinated, complementary and not duplicative.

Specific job-related duties
• Effectively manage and develop relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, clients, agencies, and entertainment individuals.
• Create contracts as required.
• Understand the product we offer, including room types/layouts, capacities, and event/restaurant menus.
• Prepare all event documentation and coordinates with hotel departments, and customer to ensure successful delivery of hotel events of least complexity. Ensure compliance with IHG Operating Standards to maintain brand integrity.
• Identify new accounts and contacts and share with Sales Office Manager to review.
• Ensure all calls/emails are responded to promptly and professionally as per the department SOP.
• Coordinate and communicate event & groups details both verbally and in writing to the customer and hotel operations. Follow-up with customers post-event.
• Manage the event from enquiry stage to final detail stage.
• Carry out site inspections.
• Manage group room blocks and meeting space of assigned groups and/or events.

• Keep departments and clients updated in a timely manner.
• Send proposals and Contracts to clients in line with Brand Standards.
• To develop and maintain excellent product knowledge.
• Keep up to date with refurbishment and promotions in the Hotel.
• Work and co-operate with the team and other departments and offer support and assistance when necessary.
• Maintain accurate, up to date customer records and contribute to develop and fine-tuning of the systems in place.
• Organise and prioritise work to ensure guarantee response time and deadlines are met.
• To communicate client’s requirements both verbally and written via Delphi computer system to all departments within the hotel

People
• Take part in training and development.
• Maintain good working relationships with colleagues across the hotel.
• Attend regular briefing sessions and hotel meetings when required.
• Take a responsible approach towards timekeeping and attendance to ensure the department runs efficiently and assist in the event of absence cover.
• Demonstrate the ambition to meet personal and department goals.

Service
• Ensure our guests receive an extraordinary experience by anticipating guests’ needs and provide service to exceed their expectations.
• Take appropriate action with regards to guest feedback
• Comply with brand, hotel, and department operating standards.
• Work safely always, reporting any damage, wear or tear and understand departmental risk assessments.
• Assist with keeping the hotel and surrounding area clean, tidy and presentable.

Financial
• Work as part of the team in taking a positive approach towards upselling and confidently promote the product to maximise hotel revenue to meet the budget targets.
• Ensure charges are accurately posted to guest accounts.
• Follow cash handling and credit procedures and report any discrepancies to your supervisor immediately.
• Follow credit card and BACS payments procedures.
• Remain sales focused at all times.

General
• Always comply with the Splendid Hospitality policies and procedures.
• Perform other tasks as directed by your line manager in pursuit of the achievement of business goals.
• Work as part of a diverse team with colleagues to deliver extraordinary guest experience.
• Understand your role and responsibilities in terms of the hotel Health & Safety Policy including completion of all mandatory training.
• Familiarise yourself with emergency & evacuation procedures and understand your responsibilities with regards to security.
• Proactively pursue all practices in line with Company environmental and energy saving initiatives.

Knowledge and skills

• Experience using Delphi.fdc and Opera PMS.
• Strong customer awareness and detail focused.
• Strong communication and listening skills, excellent speaking, reading and writing skills.
• Resilience when facing setbacks
• Goal & quality oriented
• The ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours
• Well-groomed and presentable with excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to work and interact well as part of a team.

What Happens Next

Does this role suit your skillset? Apply now, this takes seconds, you’ll just need to provide some contact details along with a CV. Next, we’ll review your details, and if successful we’ll invite you to meet one of the team to learn more about you, your experience and let us tell more about the Splendid group.

The Splendid Group is an equal opportunities employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.