Do you enjoy hosting parties, executing strategic sales and programming initiatives, and generating content for social media!? Our DFH Events Manager is the perfect position for someone looking for a dynamic start-up career where no two days are the same and the work keeps you on the balls of your feet! Durham Food Hall has three thoughtfully designed event spaces for hosting everything from business meetings, private dinners and happy hours, conferences, and large milestone events. Its a wonderful community space, ripe for the right person to help bring the business to the next level.

The perfect candidate is goal oriented, self-motivated, and thrives working on their own while also embracing the opportunity to work with and manage others. The Events Manager generates top line catering revenue for Durham Food Hall by maximizing all earning potential through reactive and proactive sales tactics, up-selling additional events/amenities whenever possible, and coordinates with individual DFH vendors to manage and direct the execution of successful and noteworthy events. They manage DFH social media accounts with the help of DFH Marketing, and partner with the DFH Hall Director to plan and execute general programming throughout the Hall.

Come join our hard working, team oriented, and community focused family at DFH!

Responsibilities:

Sales

• Build local client base through outside sales calls, prospecting, networking and referrals; focusing on all market segments local and national
• Conduct property site tours and represents the Hall at industry trade shows and business events
• Achieve budgeted revenue goals and booking goals
• Maximizes profit and optimizes event space in accordance with established pricing models, exercising good judgment
• Execution of the entire sales process to include prospecting and client inquiries through payment confirmation and follow up thank you notes
• Create and execute sales agreements and addendums, collaborating with Hall ownership and teammates where appropriate to ensure profitable bookings
• Communicate with clients immediately after an event to get feedback and rebook.
• Acquire thorough knowledge of products and services, responding to client questions quickly and confidently
• Utilize industry standard software to,
  • Create and maintains account files
  • Create inquiry records
  • Document daily activities
  • Create and print necessary reports
  • Create sales agreements
• Maintain optimal working relationships with guests, groups, and personnel from other departments
• Account/Client financial maintenance including BEO & Final bill reconciliation to assure accuracy in financial reporting.

Event Management

• Ensure successful events, exceeding client needs, and company profitability expectations
• Plan and execute all Durham Food Hall events
• Assume responsibility for the entire process; client inquiries through payment and follow up thank you notes including menu selection, audio visual needs, event space set up, and generating Tripleseat Event Leads
• Coordinate with DFH ownership, the Hall Director and individual Vendor Chefs to maximize profit and optimize space
• Use creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups
• Assist with PR/marketing efforts for new business and DFH sponsored events
• Maintain / implement efficient set up & tear down process
• Interact with the on-site contact and assist with any requests
• Hands-on management of events
• Supervise Event Staff
• Enforce and adhere to internal and external cutoff and due dates across departments
• Reconcile BEO & client bill, and assure accuracy in financial reporting.

Social Media

• Updating and maintaining Instagram and Facebook profiles
• Working with vendors to share content
• Feed content to DFH Marketing team for monthly newsletters
• Edit and print weekly programming calendars to place around the Hall

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to perform most work tasks independently, as there is minimal direct supervision.
• Extensive knowledge of selling strategies and the ability to meet goals
• Able to utilize property adopted software for booking, tracking, forecasting, and executing optimal selling strategies
• Comprehends the group sales process
• Ability to deliver coaching and training
• Analytically approaches problem solving
• Able to analyze financial statements and market data
• Desires to participate as part of a team
• Demonstrates self-confidence, energy and enthusiasm
• Presents ideas and information in a concise, well-organized way
• Effective listening skills
• Manages group or interpersonal conflict resolution effectively
• Manages time well, correctly prioritizing tasks
• Excellent negotiation skills in order to create win-win solutions
• Must possess computer skills, including, but not limited to, accounting programs, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Must pass a background check

Education/Formal Training:

• High school or equivalent education required. Bachelor's Degree preferred

Travel Requirements:

• Some local travel to client sites and networking events

Attire Requirements:

• Will always represent Durham Food Hall in a professional and business-appropriate manner
• Exercises good judgment in attire decisions, with the goal of representing DFH at all times
• Demonstrates outstanding personal hygiene including cleanliness of nails, wardrobe and hair
• Encouraged attire for women: Business-appropriate slacks, blouses, jackets, denim jeans (no holes), skirts and dresses.
• Encouraged attire for men: Business-appropriate pants, shirts, jackets, denim jeans (no holes)
• NOT allowed: denim jeans with holes, shorts of any kind, skirts/dresses that fall above the knee, cut-off tops, personalization of any attire including buttons, pins or slogans