Area Director of Convention Services - Sterling/Loudoun County

B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group is a subsidiary of the largest private real estate company in the Washington, D.C. area, and has been in operation for over 130 years. The Hospitality Group operates a portfolio of more than 20 business class hotels with top brands from Intercontinental Hotel Groups, Marriott International, Hilton, and Best Western Hotels: along with The Watermark Hotel, The Hay-Adams Hotel, and Perch Putt. These properties are operated by a team of more than 1,000 enthusiastic hospitality professionals! 

Are you ready to elevate your career in hospitality management?  B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, a leader in the industry and the largest owner-operator in Loudoun County, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Area Director of Convention Services.  This pivotal role is perfect for the ambitious professional eager to embrace the challenges and rewards of overseeing multiple properties and brands, along with an expansive Conference Center.  B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group demonstrates commitment to our team in our “One Team!” values. Our integrated approach in obtaining top talent ensures key players who are committed to their professional and personal development represent our hotels, have a sound understanding of the industry, and possess significant attributes to enhance our culture. Joining our team says you are committed to guest satisfaction and promise to uphold the highest level of integrity.

As the Area Director of Convention Services, you will play a crucial role in ensuring seamless operations and exceptional guest experiences across our diverse portfolio in Loudoun County.  You will lead a talented team, foster strategic partnerships, and implement innovative solutions that enhance service delivery and maximize revenue.  If you are passionate about hospitality and ready to make an significant impact within a thriving organization, we invite you to join us in shaping memorable events and exceptional stays for our guests.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Area Director of Convention Services is responsible for assisting the Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management and Food & Beverage departments with various sales initiatives, ensuring hotels’ financial goals are met and consistent, high level of service is delivered with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of the property’s sales objectives. The Area Director of Convention Services focuses on client and hotel objectives in support of Our Quality Pledge and Standards of Service for the B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group. The Area Director of Convention Services directly manages the property's reactive and proactive sales efforts while maintaining accountability for achieving revenue opportunities under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Director of Sales and Regional Management team. The Area Director of Convention Services is also responsible for overseeing the sales support team as it relates to communications of customer details to the Operational Departments and collaboration to ensure successful events.  

B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group invites you to take your career to the next level! As a leading Owner and Management Company in the Hospitality Industry, our commitment to our team is in our “One Team!” values. Our integrated approach in obtaining top talent ensures key players who are committed to their professional and personal development represent our hotels, have a sound understanding of the industry, and possess significant attributes to enhance our culture. Joining our team says you are committed to guest satisfaction and promise to uphold the highest level of integrity.

• Targets group, catering, and business transient accounts, markets, or segments with heavy emphasis on proactive solicitation and account saturation.
• Responds to incoming sales leads for the property.
• Identifies, qualifies and solicits new business to achieve personal and property’s revenue goals.
• Focuses efforts on key and target accounts with significant potential sales revenue.
• Develops and executes effective sales plans and actions.
• Maximizes revenue by selling food and beverage to groups.
• Understands the overall market; competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.
• Closes the best opportunities for the property based on market conditions and property needs.
• Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts.
• Handles complex business with significant revenue potential as well as significant customer expectations.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings. Activities to include sales calls, entertainment, FAM trips, trade shows, etc.
• Develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for sales opportunities.
• Provides excellent customer service in order to grow share of the account.
• Leadership, training, mentorship and onboarding of catering sales and support personnel.
• Conducts formal pre-event meetings as required to review/communicate group needs.  Ensures proper and prompt follow up on all upsell opportunities.
• Manages meeting space, room set up, food and beverage and audio visual requirements. 
• Collaborates with all other operational departments to communicate group details via the banquet event order  pertaining to meeting space setup, food and beverage needs, audio visual requirements and related information.
• Identifies improvements to enhance the client experience.
• Maintains performance level when experiencing changes or challenges.
• Adhere to all standards, policies, and procedures and consistently maintain a professional and ethical representation within the Sales and Catering Department.
• Performs other duties, as assigned, to meet business needs.

• Skills and Abilities: 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates independent problem solving skills and identify process improvements needed.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel. 
• Strong work ethic and professional focus; High level of integrity and discretion.
• Ability to work extended hours based on business needs, with physically demanding responsibilities such as walking, standing, carrying, and lifting throughout the extended shift.  Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 20 pounds on occasional basis.

• Experience: 
• At least (3)+ years of sales experience required, with a minimum of 1 year managing direct reports preferred. 
• A proven track record of success in a hotel or a related service industry

• Education:
• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, or related major, preferred..

• Well-Being Benefits:
• Health Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Vacation Policy

• Long Term Planning:
• 401(k) Retirement Program
• Paid Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

• Team Member Programs:
• Our Big 3 Mission Statement Leaders of the Month/Year
• Annual Performance Appraisals and Wage Increase Opportunities
• Annual Team Member Banquets
• Annual Team Member Engagement Survey
• Discounted Room Rates for Team Members, Family and Friends
• Complimentary Room Stays
• Weekly Payroll
• Incentive Eligible

B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring diverse professionals.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled