Job Description

Job Location: Corporate Headquarters - Atlanta, GA 30318Proof of the Pudding is a dynamic and multifaceted catering and hospitality company dedicated to innovative culinary creations and producing unforgettable experiences. With the addition of three distinctive physical event venues to the Proof portfolio, we will provide an additional opportunity to meet the needs of the Atlanta community providing 5-star service, Proof signature catering, and seamless logistics.
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Venue Sales + Business Development. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the sales and business development for three distinctive event spaces. This role involves creating and implementing targeted sales strategies, ongoing focused business development, developing standard venue SOPs, and building a sales successful team to ensure unparalleled end-to-end service and customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities:
- Directs venue sales and develops the tactics, operational plans, and processes to implement the organizational sales strategy, drive revenue growth, and accomplish financial objectives.
- Develops and implements comprehensive sales processes, sales collateral tools, and structures to support the venue sales operations.
- Oversees goal setting for each venue as well as division as a whole.
- Measures and monitors sales processes, identify issues, and enhance performance. Implements methods and systems to effectively analyze and monitor the industry, business environment, and competitors and expand the customer base.
- Uses market and customer insights to collaborate with complimentary divisions to identify and suggest new products, services, and revenue streams to increase overall annual venue revenue.
- Actively promotes venues to the greater Atlanta events community. Hosts and attends networking events to increase venue visibility in the Greater Atlanta market.
- Collaborates with marketing, sales, catering, and operations to support sales growth and business development plans.
- Builds effective sales and support teams with mentoring and development programs.
- Coordinates closely with catering sales manager and venue operations/beverage manager to ensure seamless execution.
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with clients (prospective and repeat), vendors, and key industry contacts.
Performs other related duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
- Proven track record in venue sales and management, catering/event sales, with a focus on driving venue bookings.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with clients, industry professionals, internal teams, and complementary department teams.
- Experience in negotiating contracts, pricing, and managing client expectations.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
- Knowledge of the hospitality, venue, catering and event planning industry.
- Must live near or be willing to relocate to the Atlanta, GA area.
- - The ability to travel across the Greater Atlanta Area and to other POP venues as needed.
Education and

Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Hospitality, (preferred) or relevant work experience
• Minimum of 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of event planning, catering sales and venue sales and management.
CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
- Business Acumen - Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships.  Possess the expertise and skill levels required of the job and perform with quality.
- Dedication - Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion.  Willing to put in as much time as necessary to complete tasks.  Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
- Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values and beliefs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
- Safety & Security - Observe safety and security standards.  Use equipment and materials properly.  Comply with safety standards and personal protective equipment requirements.  Report potential unsafe conditions or practices to appropriate person immediately.  Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness and security compliance at all times.
- Teamwork - Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently and timely.
- Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding and trust to fellow associates, managers, supervisors and guests. Listen carefully to opinions and views of others; state understanding of what has been heard.
- Initiative - Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency.  Be proactive in troubleshooting problems or issues and take action to mitigate potential problems.
- Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjusts well to new situations.  Perform well under tight time schedules and pressures to change direction quickly.
- Service Orientation - Demonstrates a sense of urgency. Is welcoming, friendly and smiles when visible to guests.

Work Environment
This position breakdown will be around 60% in office work, 40% event attendance. Office work entails computer usage, interdepartmental meetings and communications via email, phone, and in person, and assisting with event preparation and planning. Event attendance includes client relations and being a managerial presence. Events can be in an indoor or outdoor setting with movement between temporary structures, buildings, and semi loading trucks.
Physical Demands:
- Prolonged periods of moving through an event space, and traveling from venue to venue
- Bending, lifting, scooping, and carrying miscellaneous equipment and food items
- Ability to perform physical tasks; such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 25 lbs.
Position Salary & Benefits:
- This is considered a full-time salary position with a starting base pay of $75,000 per year
- This position is also entitled to a competitive tiered commission structure inclusive of venue rental fee, food & Beverage sales, and supplemental venue revenue streams.
- Proof is pleased to provide all full-time eligible employees with Basic Life and AD&D as well as long term disability at no cost to employees.
- Full-time eligible employees may choose to enroll in optional benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, and Voluntary Hospitality Indemnity
- Additional benefits include daily lunches in the office and a cell phone stipend.
Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.