Senior Account Director of Catering Sales

We're People People. Are you? We're Sonesta International Hotels-the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast). With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we're everywhere our guests need us to be. But here's the thing-we're not just in the business of hotels, we're in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect-delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting). What this role is all about Great events start with a brilliant vision - and our Catering Sales team brings that vision to life. You will lead the strategy behind our catering business, driving revenue growth while creating memorable events that guests genuinely love. What you'll be doing Develop and lead the hotel's catering sales strategy, driving revenue growth across corporate meetings, weddings, social events, conferences, and special events. Own catering revenue goals, booking pace, forecasting, conversion, and profitability, identifying opportunities to strengthen performance. Manage the full catering sales cycle for the hotel, from prospecting and relationship development through negotiation, contracting, event planning, and post-event follow-up. Build strong relationships with corporate clients, event planners, wedding partners, local businesses, vendors, and community organizations to generate new and repeat business. Respond to strategic and high-profile catering opportunities, creating tailored proposals, conducting site tours, and delivering compelling client presentations. Partner closely with Culinary, Banquets, Conference Services, Revenue Management, and Operations teams to ensure seamless event execution and exceptional guest experiences. Establish pricing strategies, catering packages, promotions, and upselling opportunities that maximize food and beverage revenue, audiovisual services, event enhancements, and hotel accommodations. Review banquet event orders (BEOs), event timelines, room setups, catering menus, and operational details to ensure accuracy and alignment across teams. Lead catering sales meetings, pipeline reviews, forecasting discussions, and strategy sessions, providing clear updates and recommendations to hotel leadership. Monitor market trends, competitor activity, client feedback, and local demand to identify new business opportunities and keep the hotel's catering offering fresh and competitive. Represent the hotel at networking events, industry functions, community partnerships, and client entertainment opportunities. Maintain accurate sales activity, contracts, account information, event details, and reporting within CRM and hotel sales systems. Coach and develop the F&B Operations Management team to drive catering leads for private dining in the restaurant and event spaces. Ensure catering sales practices, contracts, pricing, and event commitments align with hotel standards, policies, and revenue objectives. Any other duties as assigned. What great looks like Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Marketing, Business, or a related field preferred. 5+ years of progressive experience in Catering Sales, Hotel Sales, Event Management, Banquet Sales, or Hospitality Sales, including leadership experience. A strong track record of delivering catering revenue growth, achieving sales targets, and building long-term client relationships. Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing successful sales teams. Strong knowledge of catering operations, banquet services, food and beverage planning, pricing strategy, forecasting, and event management processes. Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage senior clients and hotel leaders. Commercially focused, with the ability to interpret sales data, booking pace, market trends, and profitability to inform strategy. Highly organized, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to oversee multiple events, #J-18808-Ljbffr reitmr