Area Director, Sales and Catering

The Area Director of Sales and Catering (ADOSC) is responsible for exceeding revenue targets, managing and growing client relationships and exceeding guest satisfaction goals. The ADOSC sets the revenue generating strategies for the assigned lodges and leads the sales teams focused on driving room, banquet, birthday and meeting space revenue. This role is to be based out of Great Wolf's Lodge located in Poconos, PA or Sandusky, OH. Current Directors of Sales & Catering will be considered, based out of their home lodge.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• For assigned lodges, the ADOSC has overall responsibility for group revenue strategy, implementation and results including achievement of revenue targets for group rooms, group food and beverage, meeting room rental, birthday parties and other group revenues.
• Leverages lodge sales teams to execute on sales strategies to meet financial targets
• Meets assigned financial objectives that maximize profitability for the lodges
• Strategically targets group room revenue on lower occupancy dates, enabling higher contribution to overall profitability
• Proactively drives meeting space utilization, achieving targeted growth in catering revenue per square foot of meeting space
• Prepares annual performance budgets, schedules expenditures, forecasts revenues and analyzes variances
• Accomplishes sales objectives by recruiting, selecting, training, coaching, and leading sales pack members
• Develops strong relationships with local and regional industry trade groups, Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and key business leaders; serves as expert on the local/regional market dynamics
• Works closely with sales pack members on development of weekly, monthly and quarterly sales action plans; monitors and reviews plans to ensure meeting of revenue and guest satisfaction objectives
• Leads the implementation of relevant lodge and line of business policies and procedures and regularly monitors to ensure compliance
• Develops annual sales targets by market segment and assigns to sales pack members
• Monitors competitive and market trends including pricing, regional events, competition properties and demand expectations and adjusts strategies where needed to win market share
• Accomplishes sales objectives by planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating field sales action plans
• Builds and maintains rapport with key accounts by making periodic visits, exploring specific needs and anticipating new opportunities
• Monitors group quality survey results and leads the response according to stated policy and service level requirements; leads corrective action to prevent future issues from arising
• Supports local marketing efforts and recommends marketing investments to support community relations and group business
• Attends local and regional trade show events where appropriate to cultivate new sales leads
• Supports overall lodge success and demonstrates "We are one Pack" mindset by proactively engaging with guests and pack members when on property
• Serves as member of DOSC line of business leadership team; shares best practices with other DOSC and national sales leadership; supports national initiatives wherever needed
• Maintains visible presence at each assigned property with at least 60% of working time spent in the field (remainder can be managed remotely)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in Sales, Communications, Marketing, Business or Hotel Management
• Minimum 5 years of experience in sales, event planning, and/or catering
• Minimum 3 year supervisory/leadership experience in hospitality field
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Successful completion of criminal background check and drug screen
• Successful completion of Department of Motor Vehicle check
• Professional communication skills both verbal and written

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & TRAITS

• Proficiency in hotel Sales & Catering Systems, preferable Delphi and/or Opera
• Experience in regional leadership role within hospitality
• Experience at multiple Great Wolf properties
• Significant customer service experience
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills
• Attention to detail and ability to exceed quality standards
• Enthusiastic and positive energy
• Multi-tasking ability

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to lift up to 20 lbs
• Able to bend, stretch, and twist
• Able to stand or sit for long periods of time

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

• The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)