Columbus Airport Marriott - Catering Sales Manager OEM

Description

Catering Sales & Convention Services Manager OEM

Department: Sales and Catering

Reports To: Director of Catering/DOS

FLSA: Non-Exempt (OEM)

Position Overview

The Catering & Convention Services Manager is responsible for generating, planning, and executing catering events, corporate meetings, and convention business while actively managing associated group room blocks. This dual-focused role balances proactive sales acquisition with meticulous logistics management, acting as the primary single point of contact for planners from contract execution through departure. The manager oversees banquet food and beverage details, meeting specifications, rooming lists, reservation cutoff dates, and billing reconciliation to maximize total property revenue and ensure seamless guest experiences. 

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Revenue Generation

· Proactively identify, qualify, solicit, and close catering and event sales opportunities to achieve or exceed individual and team revenue goals. 

· Cultivate and expand relationships with corporate accounts, convention organizers, association planners, and social event hosts. 

· Develop, tailor, and present persuasive catering proposals and menu options aligned with client objectives and budget parameters. 

· Partner with the commercial sales team to identify cross-selling opportunities across guest rooms, banquet functions, and audio/visual services. 

Event Planning & Convention Services

· Act as the dedicated liaison for clients throughout the entire event lifecycle, orchestrating all logistical requirements. 

· Conduct client site visits, planning meetings, menu tastings, and comprehensive operational walkthroughs. 

· Author, detail, and distribute precise Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and Group Resumes, communicating operational timelines, room setups, audiovisual needs, and food/beverage specifications across all hotel departments. 

· Lead weekly BEO and group resume review meetings with Banquet, Culinary, Front Desk, and Housekeeping leaders to align on execution plans.

· Provide on-site coverage during key convention activities and major functions to welcome planners, oversee setups, and handle real-time client requests.

Group Room Block & Housing Management

· Serve as the primary contact for group housing needs once contracts are finalized, managing room blocks across assigned corporate, convention, and social groups.

· Monitor group pickup reports, attrition clauses, room block commitments, and release dates; audit room blocks regularly to mitigate slippage and attrition risks.

· Oversee cutoff dates proactively, communicating directly with meeting planners to secure extensions, release unused rooms back into inventory, or adjust commitments.

· Receive, verify, and process rooming lists, VIP requests, billing instructions (room/tax vs. incidentals), and special accommodations in the property management system.

· Coordinate customized group booking links (Passkey/direct booking URLs) and assist attendees and meeting planners with reservation changes or troubleshooting.

· Conduct daily group reservation audits prior to arrival and coordinate pre-arrival check-in logistics with the Front Desk and Reservations teams.

Client Care & Account Administration

· Deliver prompt, polished customer service by resolving inquiries, revision requests, and operational challenges efficiently. 

· Prepare and process contracts, addendums, deposit schedules, and event payment authorizations in strict compliance with hotel credit standards. 

· Maintain accurate account activity, trace dates, BEO files, and room block histories in hotel CRM and property management systems (e.g. CI/TY, Delphi.fdc, FSPMS, MARSHA, Power of M). 

· Perform post-event billing audits alongside the accounting team, validating room charges, attrition, and food/beverage consumption before presenting the final master invoice to the client. 

· Solicit post-convention feedback to identify service enhancements and secure repeat booking commitments. 

Qualifications & Competencies

· Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of experience in hotel convention services, catering sales, group rooms coordination, or event management. 

· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred (or equivalent practical experience).

· Technical Skills: Hands-on experience with hospitality property management and sales platforms (e.g., CI/TY, Delphi.fdc, FSPMS, MARSHA, Power of M) and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

· Rooms & Housing Knowledge: Solid understanding of group room blocks, inventory management, cutoff enforcement, attrition calculations, and master billing setups.

· Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication, client presentation, and negotiation skills. 

· Organization: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple group arrivals, tight deadlines, and shifting event parameters with exceptional attention to detail. 

· Schedule Flexibility: Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, based on group arrivals and event schedules. 

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

· Ability to walk, stand, and navigate convention spaces, meeting rooms, and back-of-house banquet areas for extended periods during active events.

· Ability to lift, transport, or position event signage, registration materials, and small meeting items up to 25 lbs as needed.

  Disclaimer & Employment Status

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; additional details will be specified by the direct supervisor. The associate may also perform other reasonable business duties assigned by their direct supervisor.

Dreamscape Hospitality reserves the right to change this job description, job responsibilities, duties, and working hours as needs prevail.

Dreamscape Hospitality is an at-will employer. This document does not constitute a contract of employment, and nothing contained in this job description issued by Dreamscape Hospitality is intended to create a contract of employment or guarantee employment. is a guideline and does not constitute a written or implied employment contract.