Sales & Event Planner

As a Sales & Event Planner, you'll be responsible for managing a variety of events within the Student Unions and across campus, handling hundreds of events annually. This position involves planning and executing custom events for University of Arizona clients while also prospecting sales with non-university clients to drive revenue growth. The Sales & Event Planner manages and executes a high volume of events on campus. This role is responsible for planning customized events for university clients, generating revenue through sales prospecting with external clients, and meeting a sales goal of over one million dollars annually. This role requires extensive experience in event planning, marketing, food and beverage operations, excellent customer relationship management, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. Occasional weekend and evening work will be required.

Join us at the Student Union Memorial Center and make a significant impact on the University of Arizona community!

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Market,
  schedule, and manage a high volume of meeting reservations, low to high
  profile events, room selection, room layout changes, and catering needs
  for use by campus and outside organizations.
• Coordinate all
  types of events from start to finish, focusing on customer needs,
  logistics and operational capabilities, assessing client needs and
  requirements, and providing timely and effective solutions while staying
  on budget.
• Contact,
  nurture, and grow relationships with current, former, and prospective
  clients to market and promote catering and event services.
• Work directly
  with catering, vendors, and event services staff to ensure all event
  logistics and catering options/menus are presented to the customer
  accurately and effectively.
• Work directly
  with beverage manager and process internal alcohol permits are reviewed
  and approved along with the alcohol permit manager.
• Attend events
  to coordinate with client, catering staff, facility operations, and
  culinary staff.
• Ensure all food
  and beverage products are prepared and displayed according to
  specifications.
• Respond to
  facility rental inquiries and menu proposals quickly and courteously and
  ensure timely follow-up to each event including briefings, minutes, and
  thank you letters.
• Develop
  proposals for potential customers and coordinate pending bookings.
• Make daily
  customer service follow-up calls to validate satisfaction, resolve issues
  if necessary, and to coordinate pending bookings.
• Ensure that all
  appropriate communication for upcoming events is complete and distributed
  in a timely manner to the event service and catering teams.
• Create and
  monitor event orders and attend events as necessary or requires.
• Conduct
  tastings and presentations of catering menu items for existing and
  prospective customers.
• Respond to
  customer issues and feedback in a timely and professional manner,
  communicate as necessary.
• Foster positive
  internal and external relationships being attentive, friendly, helpful,
  courteous, and professional.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to
  drive to and from events around the university campus.
• Knowledge and
  proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Skill in
  customer service, communication, and sales - both verbal and written.
• Ability to
  execute action plans to achieve results and functions independently and
  intuitively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to
  multitask in planning and managing multiple events simultaneously and
  under deadlines.
• Highly
  organized, detail oriented, and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of
  room scheduling and rental, room set-up, and audio-visual
  components.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to
  transport/move a maximum of 10 pounds.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work
  experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience with catering setup, menu and catering and/or event planning, management and design trends.