Catering Sales Manager in Chicago, Illinois at The Blackstone Hotel

About the Property & Employer

The Blackstone, Autograph Collection is proudly owned and operated by Vinayaka Hospitality (VH). As the managing company, VH serves as the employer and is responsible for all employment-related decisions, including hiring, compensation, benefits, and workplace policies.

Vinayaka Hospitality was founded in 2008 on a foundation of innovation, intelligence, and compassion. With a passion for hospitality and a practical, results-driven approach to hotel management, VH collaborates with leading global brands—including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and Wyndham—to successfully manage a growing portfolio of properties across diverse markets.

We are proud to welcome The Blackstone Hotel to our portfolio as part of our continued expansion. Located on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, The Blackstone is one of the city’s most iconic historic hotels. Originally opened in 1910, it has long been recognized as a landmark in Chicago hospitality, known for hosting presidents, dignitaries, and distinguished guests from around the world. Today, it offers a unique blend of timeless character and modern sophistication.

At VH, we are committed to growth—both for our properties and our people. We take a proactive and agile approach to sales, marketing, and revenue strategy, allowing us to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. Equally important, we invest in our associates by creating an environment where individuals can grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply—you may be a great fit for this or future opportunities within VH.

Benefits

Eligible team members may have access to a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

· Medical, dental, and vision insurance

· Paid time off (vacation, sick time, holidays)

· Six paid company holidays and one floating holiday

· 401(k) with company match (up to 4%)

· Life and disability insurance

· Employee assistance programs

· Employee discounts (hotel and travel discounts)

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on position, employment status, and tenure.

JOB SUMMARY

Prospects and solicits corporate markets to generate new catering business to ensure monthly/annual catering goals are met. Plans and administers all catering events by assuring that the following duties are accomplished personally and through subordinates:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains established customer relations and generates new relationships.
• Consistently solicits new clients through phone calls, emails and local outside sales calls. Minimum requirement of ten new, ten old, and ten existing target account calls monthly.
• Handle account details so that all pertinent aspects of solicitation and closing are complete and documented.
• Conducts property tours and prepares information for site inspections.
• Conducts competitive set site tours; build relationship with competitive set to gain referrals.
• Attend industry related meetings and events.
• Conducts local outside sales calls to promote the hotel and review competition reader boards to develop leads.
• Meet budgeted sales catering goals of food, beverage, room rental, and audio/visual.
• Responsible for monthly forecast reports.
• Manages time and workload with attention to detail.
• Responds to sales leads within 24 hours.
• Conducts weekly sales calls to build on existing relationships and solicit new opportunities.
• Communicates with Sales and Catering team in S&C meetings with written materials.
• Works with clients to determine specific needs and designs a program to fit the requirements outlined by the client.
• Responsible for detailing of all events.
• Creates BEO and follows through on all details with Banquet Supervisor, banquet staff and client.
• Works events as required to welcome group contacts upon arrival at function to ensure satisfaction.
• Responsibilities subject to change to best meet the needs of the hotel.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.
• Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Most tasks are performed independently or in a team environment with the employee acting as a team leader.
• Must possess basic computer skills.
• Must possess communication skills in terms of the ability to negotiate, convince, sell and influence professionals and/or hotel guests.
• Excellent comprehension and literacy required to develop marketing plan, create menus and programs, etc.
• Knowledge of hotels and competitive markets.
• Ensure that guest satisfaction is consistently obtained and maintained.
• Ability to make decisions with only general policies and procedures available for guidance.

Physical Demands

• Excellent hearing required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision required for viewing set-ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying - tables, chairs, boxes (50 lb. maximum) occasionally.
• Bending/kneeling - taping down cords, skirting tables, picking up floor after function, occasionally.
• Mobility - ability to service clients on a moments notice, variable distances. Continuous standing - function observation, client site inspections (one hour minimum to four hours maximum). Climbing - up to 55 steps, 3-5% of 10 hours.

AVAILABILITY

This company operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Generally, the position works Monday through Friday with hours varied based on business demand. At times it may be necessary to move you from your accustomed work day, to include Saturdays and Sundays, or time of work if business or task assignments demand. In addition, it should be understood that business needs determines the amount of hours that you work.