Hotels - Catering Sales & Events Manager La Bahia Resort & Spa

About Us:

Set against the stunning backdrop of Santa Cruz’s pristine coastline, La Bahia Resort & Spa is poised to become a premier destination for luxury hospitality and events. Our mission is to provide guests with unparalleled service, exquisite accommodations, and unforgettable experiences.

We are seeking a proactive and innovative Catering Sales & Events Manager to lead wedding and event sales, ensuring a seamless experience from the main event and room blocks to pre-wedding celebrations, rehearsals, and post-wedding brunches.

Position Summary:

The Catering Sales & Events Manager will be responsible for soliciting, selling, and servicing wedding and social event business while maximizing revenue opportunities across all event spaces, room blocks, and additional pre- and post-event experiences. This individual will work closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing to develop and execute strategic sales initiatives and partnerships to position La Bahia as the Monterey Bay destination for luxury weddings and events.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a strategic planto attract and secure weddings and social events, with an emphasis on full-property event experiences.
• Actively prospect, solicit, and close wedding and event businessthrough networking, inbound inquiries, site visits, industry events, and bridal fairs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for wedding clients, ensuring seamless communication and coordination from initial inquiry to event execution.
• Negotiate contracts and agreementsfor catering, event spaces, guest room blocks, and additional event-related services.
• Collaborate with the Culinary and Banquet teams to create cusrated food and beverage offerings for weddings and events.
• Collaborate with the Reservations Team to optimize room block management, cut-off dates, and attrition.
• Maintain strong relationships with wedding planners, event vendors, and industry professionals to generate referrals and expand market reach.
• Conduct site tours and client meetings, showcasing the resort’s offerings and tailoring proposals to meet client needs.
• Work closely with the Banquet Manager to coordinate event details, including set-up, staffing, and execution.
• Ensure all contracts, proposals, and billing are accurately maintained and communicated.
• Track event revenue and sales performance metrics, providing regular reports to the Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Represent La Bahia Resort & Spa at wedding industry events, trade shows, and community networking opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of catering sales or event management experiencein a luxury hotel, resort, or high-end venue.
• Proven track record in wedding sales and event planning.
• Strong knowledge of hotel room block management and ability to upsell accommodations as part of event packages.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a passion for building client relationships.
• Experience with contract negotiation, budgeting, and revenue management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and event management software (Delphi, Opera, or similar preferred).
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and adapt to evolving client needs.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and evenings, as required for events.

This is a unique opportunity to join La Bahia Resort & Spa’s opening team and play a key role in establishing it as the premier wedding and event destination in Santa Cruz. If you have a passion for luxury hospitality, wedding sales, and creating unforgettable experiences, we invite you to apply!