Event Sales Manager

The iconic Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) is a historic gem and the only floating hotel in Dubai. The hotel features 447 distinctive rooms. A one-of-a-kind entertainment destination, rich in history where the past is relived in the luxury of today. Guest experience is a true British heritage and history with a visit to one of the world's most celebrated ocean liners, now permanently docked in the new marina at Dubai's Port Rashid in the UAE. 

• Oversees the Event Planning function and related staff to ensure the planning and delivery of successful hotel events.
• Develop a flexible sales strategy to reflect the achievement of hotel budget commitment and which responds to local market conditions.
• Ensures products and or services provided by Event Planning meet or exceed guest expectations and build customer loyalty through product and or service excellence
• Take a proactive sales approach and in line with strategy, adapt sales solutions to meet client needs and expectations
• Competitor analysis to be completed and recorded on a regular basis including: Promotions, pricing, availability, test calls and conference boards.
• Ensure efficient management of enquiries, turn down and lost business to create future pipeline and repeat business
• Manages the daily operation of Event Planning to achieve or exceed budget expectations.  Monitors wages and expenses and makes ongoing adjustments as needed to achieve goals.  Ensures accuracy of Forecast and Pace reports and works to provide excellent critiques for financial expenditure and departmental performance on a monthly basis
• To develop relationships with local clients, direct bookers and agency bookers to ensure a strong base of new and regular repeat business and to ensure confidence in the hotel and booking process
• Accurately identify customer needs, draw up well-presented and customised proposals in line with brand policies and standards of presentation
• Promote, manage, and host a regular program of client FAM trips and show rounds
• Pro-actively manage BOB against Budgeted target and identify need periods and undertake comprehensive program of sales activity to secure new and ad hoc business minimizing the impact of low activity periods
• Supervise the billing – Payment guarantees, Credit Policy and Deposits

• Proven experience as a Event Sales Manager or in a similar commercial role preferably in a large, fast paced luxury hospitality setting.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Results-oriented with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.
• Fluency in verbal and written English is essential – an additional language e.g. Russian, Arabic and French would be an advantage.
• Must be a highly capable user of Microsoft office programs including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Previous working experience in a truly global work environment is essential.