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The Starting Gate | Hampden, Massachusetts
Catering Sales Manager

About the Venue
The Starting Gate is a state-of-the-art private event facility for social and business events located in Hampden, Massachusetts near Springfield, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. The venue shares its bucolic location with GreatHorse – a family–owned and high-end, private full-service country club.

Starting Gate rests on a ridge with scenic views of the Berkshire Mountains, Connecticut River Valley and GreatHorse. This premier facility has garnered accolades including Best Wedding Venue from North Central News (2017 – 2020), Couples Choice Award from the Wedding Wire (2017 – 2020), and The Knot Best of Weddings Award (2019 and 2021).

This venue has 8,000 sq.ft. of indoor space and accommodates social and business functions for up to 400 guests with most events ranging between 150 – 200 guests. There are three reception rooms with varying capacities that can combine to host larger events. The facility has its own production kitchen and culinary team, offers a 3,000 sq.ft. expansive outdoor deck, a picturesque wedding garden for ceremonies accommodating up to 200 guests, and a thoughtfully appointed wedding suite.

Reports To:
The General Manager and Director of Operations

Coordinates With:
Sr. Catering Sales Manager
Jr. Catering Sales Manager
Executive Chef
Senior Operations Manager
Spirits Manager

Basic Function
The Catering Sales Manager serves as a key ambassador of Starting Gate responsible for selling and servicing private events at the catering facility. He/she is responsible for the booking, planning and execution for all events and is the primary contact for the client, managing the relationship and communication from initial contact to event closure, billing, and follow-up. The Catering Sales Manager is expected to meet all event organizers and guide them through the entire event planning process. This position will coordinate with department heads to ensure all relevant parties are informed on event details.

Roles & Responsibilities

  1. Serve as the client’s main point of contact for the entire event process.
  2. Monitor and ensure that clients and their guests receive excellent customer service throughout the event planning process and follow up post event to solicit feedback.
  3. Provide facility tours for potential clients to sell the merits of the facility appropriate for the occasion. Develop complete knowledge of all event spaces, menus, wine lists and miscellaneous services offered.
  4. Facilitate and execute client events via being onsite a reasonable time before start time of the event, to the conclusion of the event. Must be present for all major events and weddings.
  5. Maintain a detailed log of all event inquiries, tours given, declined business, and booked business.
  6. Produce event quotes and pricing and create event contracts securing the client’s deposit and agreement to the presented offering and terms. Ensure all contract documents are complete: IRS questionnaire, Media Agreement, Photography Agreement, Event Contract, etc.
  7. Create event orders and effectively communicate all necessary information to other department heads and vendors.
  8. Coordinate with vendors to ensure timely and secure deliveries and pick-up of function related items.
  9. Prepare daily and weekly event paperwork in a timely fashion and distribute to staff.  Attend weekly Event Order Meeting to review the upcoming week’s events and answer any questions.
  10. Coordinate with the General Manager, Director of Operations, Executive Chef and Catering Department on the proper event space set up, food service and clean up details for each event.
  11. Maintain banquet events calendar and keep online calendar updated as well as ensure it is distributed to all key staff involved.
  12. Manage all billing and payment transactions involved with events.
  13. Maintain all event files, client files, preferred vendor lists, website, and online photo gallery.
  14. Address and resolve client complaints and suggestions tactfully and in a timely manner, reporting them to the General Manager and Director of Operations as necessary.
  15. Coordinate the marketing efforts with the General Manager and Director of Operations to appropriately promote the Starting Gate and event facilities.
  16. Develop and maintain a professional network with clubs at a peer level within the local market. Evaluate The Starting Gate’s position regarding event pricing with other peer catering facilities.  Leverage those relationships to cultivate new business when other facilities are unable to accommodate their guests/members.
  17. Attend networking events and professional association meetings, thereby enhancing his/her value and quality of services to the membership.

Apply for This Position
Interested candidates should complete the online candidate profile form and submit a compelling cover letter and resume for consideration to DENEHY Club Thinking Partners at http://denehyctp.com/apply-for-a-position/. If you have any questions or to recommend a candidate, please contact Barb McAuliffe at 203.319.8228 or Barbara@denehyctp.com.