Group & Social Sales Manager (Florence, Italy)

OUR COMPANY 

Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences, and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With hotels and resorts across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. Please visit aubergeresorts.com to learn more about our Collection. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Linkedin, Facebook and Pinterest: @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge.

Our mission is to be the best-loved operator of one-of-a-kind luxury properties and experiences. Auberge is a family of intimate, one-of-kind hotels and resorts that define an approachable style of luxury in both product and service that resonates with the curious modern traveler. Passionately local, experience-led, romantic, and stylish, these hotels hum with a vibrancy that is both refined and relevant.

OUR PROPERTY

Auberge’s latest European escape takes inspiration from the artistry and perfection of Renaissance greats whose eye for beauty bridges past and present. Tucked down a cypress-lined entrance north of Florence’s cobblestoned centro storico, wrought-iron gates open onto Collegio alla Querce, an exquisite cluster of reimagined 16th-century UNESCO buildings once serving as a cultural institution, preparatory school, chapel and theater. The hotel grounds, embraced by acres of magnificent Baroque gardens, gaze upon panoramic views of the iconic Duomo and terracotta cityscape, and on the opposite side, miles of lush Chianti winelands. Offering all the pleasures of a refined country home, Collegio alla Querce balances the sophistication of Florence with the relaxed pace of Tuscany in characteristic Italian style.

ROLE SUMMARY
Join our team as Group and Social Sales Manager and become one of the authors of our story. The Group & Social Sales Manager is responsible for identifying and sourcing group and social business in accordance with Collegio alla Querce’s strategic plan to maximize room revenue during peak and nonpeak periods.  Responsible for meeting or exceeding target group sales goals by leveraging all available sources from existing business relationships, to prospective inquiries to new business prospects within the assigned sales territory.
 

The ideal candidate will have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, is innovative, results-driven with a desire to exceed customer expectations.  This role requires exceptional business acumen with attention to detail. The candidate must have experience with revenue generation with differentiating strategies.  Collegio alla Querce is looking for a self-directed leader and an active member of the team, handling high profile clients, while willing to be a part of an opening and the operations.

The position requires a schedule which matches client demand.  Hours will flex based on site inspection requirements and event execution.  It is expected that the Group & Social Sales Manager is present to greet all clients in advance of events, check-in with them daily during on-site, and be present to review the final billing and conduct post-conference interviews.  Weekends are required when site inspections, banquet or catering events are taking place on the property.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of everything that needs to be done  Within this, the key responsibilities for this position are:

Sales:

• Establish rapport and work closely with meeting planners and third-party event management companies.

• Be available to meet clients, both corporate and social, any day of the week, by scheduling site inspections and meeting with walk-in prospective clients to show and describe rooms and services.

• Meet or exceed quarterly and annual sales goals by ensuring repeat business through positive customer relationship management and prospecting for new business.

• Maintain a relationship with business contacts throughout the planning of bookings.

• Develop new accounts in the corporate group business segment from within assigned sales territory.

Administrative:

• Respond in a timely manner to all sales inquiry calls, internet inquiries; all sales leads in assigned territory.

• Attend and participate in all property sales meetings as scheduled.

• Prepare month-end sales reports outlining new prospective, tentative and definite business as well as site visits and sales call activities. 

• Troubleshoot guest problems as appropriate, using discretion and good judgment; interact with property leadership to ensure guest satisfaction in all aspects of group stays.

• Negotiate contracts based on knowledge of property and property limitations.

• Work closely with the sales team to ensure timely deposits, follow up with accurate guest information, and process payments.

• Coordinate all details of bookings for room blocks with the Reservations team.

• Manage relationships with accounts to achieve repeat bookings and ensure that all information/history in Daylight is current and accurate.

Communication Skills:

• Promote positive guest relations at all times by anticipating guests’ needs, responding promptly and acknowledging all guests within a respectful time frame.

• Field guest requests and glitches by following procedures and ensuring guest satisfaction.

• Maintain a close relationship with the Area Director of Sales & Marketing to ensure the department runs smoothly and that group sales initiatives are coordinated. 

Operational Wherewithal:

• Be familiar with all resort services and features, local attractions and activities and their hours of operation, to respond accurately to any guest inquiry.

• Maintain complete knowledge of scheduled in-house group activities, locations and times.

• Foster and promote a cooperative working climate, maximizing productivity and team member morale.  Prepare all appropriate written documentation for group room blocks.

• Participate in and support resort and company efforts towards sustainability and environmental initiatives as part of the Planet Solage program.  

• Work closely with Meetings & Events Service Manager to ensure proper client care and explore all up-sell opportunities for all groups.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in both Italian and English both verbal and written.

• High School Graduate (required)

• College Education (preferred)

• Proven success in a similar role, prefer four years of Catering, Event & Wedding experience in a luxury market.

• Experience in hotels / resorts or event planning is required.

OUR STORY
At Auberge, we are passionate about our mission to be the best-loved operator of one-of-a-kind luxury properties and experiences.  We are storytellers and story-makers, delivering simple pleasures and creating unforgettable memories.  Born in Napa and inspired by the most relaxing places in the world, we prize simplicity, comfort, and beauty.  Whatever role we play in Auberge, and wherever we work, we all live by the view that our core purpose is to enrich people’s lives.

If you feel that our approach is aligned with your own passions and beliefs, then please share with us why you want to become part of our collection.

Auberge Resorts LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V. Auberge Resorts LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all team members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Auberge Resorts LLC complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
 

This is a full time position