Sales and Event Planner

The Arizona Student Unions is looking for talented Sales & Event Planner to join our team.

YOUR ROLE

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. 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.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
• Experience with catering setup, menu and catering and/or event planning, management and design trends.
• Event Planners must be comfortable working occasional nights and weekends, meeting clients on and off campus, and overseeing outdoor event operations in various weather conditions.

• Experience with event management systems.