Senior Sales & Events Manager

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SENIOR SALES & EVENTS MANAGER POSITION

The Senior Sales & Events Manager is responsible for qualifying, selling, detailing, and executing weddings, social celebrations, corporate retreats, and group events at The Chanler at Cliff Walk.

This is a highly visible role and a key steward of The Chanler brand. The Senior Sales & Events Manager is responsible for identifying and securing the right business for the property, balancing revenue opportunities with The Chanler’s luxury positioning, operational capabilities, and commitment to exceptional guest experiences.

Working closely with the Sales Manager and property leadership, this position manages designated business segments and assigned events from the initial inquiry through final billing and post-event follow-up. The Senior Sales & Events Manager builds trusted client relationships, converts qualified opportunities, develops comprehensive event plans, and leads the coordination necessary to deliver seamless, highly personalized experiences.

Success in this role is measured not only by revenue generation, but by the quality of business secured, strength of client relationships, accuracy of event planning, operational execution, and overall impact on The Chanler guest experience.

This is not a traditional cold-calling sales position. The primary focus is on responding to qualified inquiries, consultative selling, relationship development, thoughtful business conversion, and end-to-end event management.

THE CHANLER

As a prestigious Two Michelin Key and double Forbes Five-Star property, The Chanler is renowned for impeccable service, chic European dining, and warm, welcoming hospitality. Reimagined as a magnificent stately manor residence overlooking Newport’s Cliff Walk, The Chanler offers guests an intimate expression of luxury rooted in history, character, and authenticity.

Every detail matters. Our approach to hospitality is refined yet personal, creating experiences that feel both exceptional and effortless.

The Senior Sales & Events Manager plays an important role in protecting and advancing this standard across every event experience.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Respond promptly, professionally, and thoughtfully to all wedding, social, corporate, and group event inquiries.
• Qualify prospective clients based on event requirements, budget, timing, guest profile, service expectations, and alignment with The Chanler’s brand and operational capabilities.
• Convert qualified opportunities into contracted business through consultative selling, relationship-building, personalized proposals, and confident communication.
• Exercise sound judgment when evaluating business opportunities, recognizing that the right business—not simply more business—is essential to long-term success.
• Partner with the Sales Manager to achieve revenue objectives while protecting The Chanler’s brand standards and guest experience.
• Identify opportunities to maximize total revenue through event enhancements, food and beverage selections, guestroom utilization, and ancillary services.
• Conduct property tours, site inspections, and client presentations that effectively communicate the unique value and experience of The Chanler.
• Maintain accurate lead information, sales activity, forecasts, contracts, and reporting within designated systems.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of The Chanler’s guestroom offerings, food and beverage outlets, event spaces, menus, amenities, and operational capabilities.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with wedding planners, event designers, travel advisors, corporate meeting planners, destination management companies, venues, and other strategic referral partners.
• Build relationships that generate repeat business, referrals, and long-term revenue opportunities.
• Conduct familiarization tours and site inspections for qualified planners, travel advisors, and prospective clients.
• Represent The Chanler professionally at relevant industry events, networking functions, trade shows, and client engagements.
• Maintain current knowledge of luxury wedding, social, corporate, and group business trends within the Newport and broader New England markets.
• Monitor competitive activity and market opportunities and communicate relevant insights to Sales and Leadership.

EVENT PLANNING & DETAILING

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned events from contract through final execution, billing, and post-event follow-up.
• Translate client expectations and contracted commitments into accurate, detailed, and operationally executable event plans.
• Lead planning conversations, menu discussions, tastings, timeline reviews, and final-detail meetings with clients and planners.
• Prepare and maintain accurate event orders, timelines, floorplans, rooming lists, seating plans, guarantees, and other event documentation.
• Coordinate menu selections, guest accommodations, transportation, entertainment, décor, and other event requirements.
• Manage all third-party rental and vendor requirements, including tents, flooring, staging, specialty furniture, linens, tables, chairs, lighting, décor, power, and related infrastructure.
• Coordinate closely with outside vendors and planners to ensure deliveries, installations, strikes, and other vendor activity are properly scheduled and executed.
• Maintain accurate event budgets and ensure all contracted services, rental charges, enhancements, and event-related expenses are properly documented.
• Manage deposits, payment schedules, guarantees, final billing, and event reconciliation in accordance with company policies.
• Review all event details carefully to ensure commitments are realistic, achievable, properly communicated, and aligned with The Chanler’s operational capabilities.
• Identify potential operational challenges early and collaborate with internal leadership to develop appropriate solutions.

EVENT EXECUTION

• Serve as the primary client liaison during assigned weddings, social events, corporate programs, and group events.
• Be present during assigned events as required to oversee execution and ensure the client experience reflects the agreed-upon vision.
• Conduct pre-event meetings and communicate event details clearly to all relevant departments.
• Partner closely with Food & Beverage, Culinary, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Leadership teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Ensure all event spaces, guest areas, menus, amenities, rentals, and other contracted details are prepared and presented to The Chanler’s standards.
• Anticipate client and guest needs and proactively address challenges before they impact the experience.
• Respond to unexpected circumstances with discretion, composure, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Maintain a visible, polished, and professional presence throughout event execution.
• Conduct post-event follow-up with clients and planners to reinforce relationships, address outstanding items, and identify future opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years of experience in luxury wedding sales, catering sales, event management, or a comparable hospitality environment.
• Demonstrated experience selling and managing high-end weddings is required.
• Experience in a luxury hotel, resort, private club, destination property, or comparable high-touch hospitality environment strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple events and clients simultaneously while maintaining exceptional organization and attention to detail.
• Strong consultative sales and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of food and beverage operations, event production, hospitality standards, and event logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and execute contracts and detailed event documentation.
• Proficiency with sales, catering, CRM, event management, and/or property management systems.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules.
• Ability to remain composed and professional in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is equal parts salesperson, planner, and hospitality professional. They possess the commercial instincts to recognize a strong business opportunity, the organizational discipline to manage complex event details, and the judgment required to deliver exceptional experiences within a luxury environment.

They understand that selling luxury hospitality is not simply about closing a contract—it is about building trust, setting appropriate expectations, and creating confidence that The Chanler can deliver on every promise.

The Senior Sales & Events Manager is highly organized, proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership from the first inquiry through the final guest departure. They anticipate needs rather than react to them, communicate clearly across departments, and remain calm and solutions-focused when circumstances change.

Most importantly, they understand that not every piece of business is the right piece of business for The Chanler. They exercise thoughtful judgment when evaluating opportunities and consistently balance revenue generation with brand integrity, operational feasibility, team capacity, and the long-term guest relationship.

They are passionate about creating memorable celebrations and experiences and take personal pride in ensuring that every event at The Chanler feels effortless to the guest, meticulously planned behind the scenes, and unmistakably Chanler.