Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

The Catering Sales Manager has a primary duty of making corporate, convention, and social event sales and obtaining catering contracts for venue.  This position is responsible for leading, generating, managing and coordinating inside and outside catering sales, as well as initiating, directing and implementing marketing functions in the Catering Department.  This role will independently manage and oversee all aspects of full group operations from reservation, through contract negotiation and finalization, to group reception and event catering. This position will report to the General Manager, or designee.

The Catering Sales Manager maintains a positive and professional relationship with the Seattle Aquarium Senior Managers and staff as well as external clients. The Sales Manager will handle sales and customer service issues including providing outstanding customer service; researching, resolving and clarifying invoice questions; and provide knowledgeable and appropriate suggestions regarding menu selections, service style, and space set-up. The Sales Manager will facilitate the flow of information internally, as well as communicate with all guests and vendors. Must be available to assist with general catering operations.   

Oak View Group is the food services and hospitality partner of the Seattle Aquarium. The Seattle Aquarium is a conservation organization working to regenerate the health of Earth's one ocean. The Seattle Aquarium thoughtfully brings the ocean to life for the public with experiences that inspire awe, empathy, and conservation action. The Aquarium is the ninth largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Since opening, the Aquarium has hosted over 27 million visitors and provided marine conservation education to two million school children.

OVG is searching for a Catering Sales Manager to oversee private events sales and operations at the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, WA. The Sales Manager will be a champion OVG representative in all our sustainability initiatives at the Aquarium, including:

• Zero waste in 2025
• 80% of purchases meet Seattle Aquarium’s sustainable purchasing policy including zero single-use petroleum-based plastic.
• Participation in regenerative working group.
• Fully electric appliance kitchen.

This role pays a yearly salary of $78,000 and is commission eligible.

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until May 2, 2025.

• Build relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision makers, establish and develop strong and effective relationships with influencers through the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Prospect new business via previous contacts, networking, trade publications, resource guides, database companies and cold calls. Target local hospitality industry, i.e. event planners, corporate planners, and direct corporate level decision makers to sell private events.
• Independently sources, identifies, and pursues outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events, or special events attended by prospects.
• Directly responsible for negotiating, authoring, and finalizing contracts and BEOs.  
• Develop and implement new, creative ways to package social events for increased sales.
• Tour available spaces to prospective clients and actively sell venue locations.
• Responsible for coordinating menu development and event plans and timing with the culinary team
• Responsible for managing all Catering requirements and requests in a timely and helpful manner.
• Responsible for managing, planning and coordination of catered events
• Maintain accurate records for all Catering sales activities.
• Communicate daily with Exec Chef, Food & Beverage Manager, and Catering operations staff on the requirements and expectations of every event.
• Maintain an extensive client database for follow-up sales calls and contact (in person, phone, email, mail, etc.)
• Responsible to achieve a minimum annual sales goal of $3,000,000 in year 1
• Responsible for collecting payments for all events prior to event execution.
• Is the primary group and convention contact once the contract is signed; approves any inventory or other changes, responds to questions or concerns in a timely manner.

• 3-5 years of sales experience, preferably in related hospitality industry.
• Previous experience in a sales role, with verifiable sales success.
• Demonstrated proficiency and successful experience in catering sales generation, contract negotiation and pricing, event scheduling, training, catering, banquets and menu development.
• Ability to work independently both on and off venue property with little supervision or oversight.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications (Microsoft Office programs with an emphasis on creating word documents, Excel spreadsheets, email).
• Experience with Tripleseat Catering Management system or similar catering system
• Ability to adhere to high standard of business etiquette, professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to consistently represent the Company in a professional, positive and knowledgeable manner.
• Ability to adhere to highest standard of confidentiality and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to produce detail-oriented, accurate work.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to travel to outside sales calls and/or events.
• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• Proven ability to make solid, appropriate, and independent decisions.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.