Wedding Planner - Newbury

Wedding Planner - Donnington Valley Group

Permanent Contract
40 Hours per week
28 Days Annual Leave

As an award winning employer, we believe that investment in each and every one of our staff members is key to the success of our business and happiness of our customers.  As an employer, The Vineyard Group offers support, training and development opportunities to help your career flourish.

The Vineyard Group encompasses The Vineyard, Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa and Barns Hotel. Each property is focused on providing the highest quality of service, food and beverage.

We are currently recruiting for a Wedding Planner for Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa, on a full time, permanent contract, working 40 hours per week, as per needs of the business.

Summary of role

The prime function of this exciting new role is to grow the business profitably through both proactive and reactive routes. You will be the main point of contact within the hotel for all wedding enquiries and you will be responsible for converting those enquiries into bookings to meet and exceed revenue targets. From there your role is to plan each event, communicating client requirements to both the internal and external team verbally and in writing.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Managing incoming calls and carrying out showrounds for potential brides and grooms
• Following up on all enquiries and showrounds and ultimately converting enquiries into bookings
• Proactively researching and analysing competitor information, local press leads and exploring all new opportunities to create sales activity in order to grow the wedding business
• Hosting FAM trips, attending wedding fairs or any other events to promote the Hotel and the Group
• Ensuring that upon booking relevant contracts are completed and a full understanding of guest requirements is gained
• Maintaining contact with guests from the point of booking the event right through the wedding (including on the day if required), finalising details and ensuring payments are up to date
• Carrying out post event calls in order to check guest satisfaction
• Building good relationships with external wedding suppliers ensuring the supply of their goods and services meet the requirements of the clients, and charges are passed on accordingly
• Liaising with the Operational team to ensure all event details are handed over so that service is delivered to meet and exceed requirements
• Carrying out all administration including producing function sheets, menus and table plans
• Adhering to all Company and Hotel procedures relevant to the role, this includes sales disciplines and procedures, production of statistical information, billing

Personal Specification

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in organising weddings and events, be sales orientated, have proven networking experience with the ability to proactively promote the hotel.

You will possess excellent communication skills at all levels and be adept at identifying customer needs and providing solutions to match these. You will be organised, articulate, have exceptional attention to detail and the desire to go the extra mile for our guests.

If you feel you have the skills and experience we are looking for and the enthusiasm and drive to build the property and team from strength to strength, we would love to hear from you!

Benefits Package:

In return we will offer the successful Wedding Planner a market leading benefits package, including:

• A competitive salary
• Skills and career development opportunities
• Employee recognition rewards
• New employee referral scheme
• Meals whilst on duty