Banquet Sales Manager

Banquet Sales Manager

Sofitel Istanbul Taksim combines contemporary French elegance with the rich cultural heritage of Istanbul. Located in the heart of Taksim, the hotel offers 202 rooms and suites, distinctive dining experiences, and extensive meeting and event facilities, including two pillar-free ballrooms and versatile function spaces.

As part of Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality groups, we are committed to creating memorable experiences for our guests while providing an inclusive and inspiring environment where our Heartists® can grow and develop.

We are currently looking for an experienced and commercially driven Banquet Sales Manager to join our Sales & Marketing team.

Reporting to the Director of Sales & Marketing, the Banquet Sales Manager will be responsible for driving revenue and maximizing business opportunities across weddings, social events, corporate meetings, conferences, banquets, and other group functions.

The successful candidate will combine strong sales capabilities with excellent organizational and relationship-management skills, ensuring that every event opportunity is professionally managed from initial inquiry through to contracting and handover to the operations team.

Qualifications

• University degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Tourism, Sales & Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in hotel banquet, event, catering, or MICE sales, preferably within an international luxury hotel environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Istanbul corporate, wedding, event, and MICE markets.
• Demonstrated ability to generate new business and successfully convert leads into confirmed events.
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent negotiation and closing skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-management capabilities.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple events, deadlines, and client requirements simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and a solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent command of Turkish and English, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel sales / event management systems.
• Flexible approach to working hours when required by client appointments, events, and business needs.

Additional Information

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a proactive and energetic sales professional who enjoys building relationships, developing new business, and turning opportunities into successful events.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong commercial instincts while understanding that, in luxury hospitality, successful event sales is not only about closing the business but also about creating confidence, trust, and memorable guest experiences from the very first client interaction.

• Proactively develop and manage banquet, wedding, social event, corporate meeting, and conference business.
• Identify new business opportunities and build strong relationships with corporate clients, event agencies, wedding planners, associations, and other potential partners.
• Handle incoming event inquiries efficiently and convert qualified leads into confirmed business.
• Conduct hotel site inspections, client meetings, presentations, and entertainment activities.
• Prepare professional proposals, quotations, contracts, and event agreements in line with hotel pricing and commercial strategies.
• Negotiate rates and commercial conditions while protecting profitability and maximizing total event revenue.
• Achieve and exceed assigned banquet and event sales targets.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and ensure timely follow-up on all leads and opportunities.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, pricing, and emerging business opportunities within Istanbul's events and hospitality market.
• Work closely with Revenue, Reservations, Food & Beverage, Banquet Operations, Culinary, Finance, and Front Office teams to ensure seamless event execution.
• Ensure complete and accurate communication of confirmed event requirements to the operational teams.
• Support the preparation of annual banquet revenue budgets, forecasts, and sales action plans.
• Maintain accurate client, activity, and account information within the hotel's sales systems.
• Develop repeat business by maintaining strong relationships with existing clients and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Represent Sofitel Istanbul Taksim at relevant networking events, exhibitions, trade events, and client functions.
• Ensure all sales activities are conducted in accordance with Sofitel and Accor brand standards and commercial policies.