MANAR ELKHAIAT

***** ****** ***** **, ************, Ohio 44136

Tel: 908-***-****

adicq8@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE SUMMARY

To secure a position where I can apply my knowledge and experience in the hospitality/customer services industries to develop and grow the company I work for.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

■Experienced in using innovative techniques to bring new business, even during the low seasons in hospitality industry

■Excellent communication and negotiation skills

■Ability to work well both independently and in a team

■Experienced in working well under pressure and execute my goals and gain customers’ satisfaction by providing high quality services tailored to meet customers’ needs

■Fluent in Arabic and English

■Good at French (speaking, reading, and writing)

■Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs

■Proficient in the following Sales & Catering software:

■CI/TY

■Delphi

■Marsha

■Opera – PM & Sales, Catering

■FOSSE

■STS

■ESP

■SFA

■Light Speed

■ ISAC

■IHG Merlin

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Current Position

Director of Sales and Catering –Crowne Plaza Cleveland South

independence– Ohio November 4/2019

- Ensure that all events/meetings are correctly set each day

- Create floor plans for weekly events and prepare event/banquet staff accordingly

- Contact clients, update and confirm details to finalize BEOs (Banquet Event Orders)

- Collaborate with clients and the Banquet Captain upon client arrival regarding proper set-up, event execution, and resetting for day/evening

- Attends weekly department head meetings; works with Assistant General Manager on morning staff meeting agenda; provides information for the House and Grounds Committee agenda and attends bi-monthly meetings

- Create monthly security schedules for security and event staff

- Collaborates with Accounts Payable to code department invoices

Director of Sales and Marketing–Holiday Inn Little Rock West –

Arkansas 1/01/2018 – 11/1/2019

Prepares Sales Reports and annual Sales & Marketing Plan

Creates an effective Sales Programs that will increase awareness and positive perception of the Hotel, its activities, culinary services, and personnel.

Knowledge of travel industry, current market trends and economic factors

Ability to access, understand and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.

Assist Managing Director in preparation of the marketing, advertising, sales plans, programs and annual budget; manages within approved plans and budgets

Develop rates, group sales deployment strategies through review of competitive data, demand analysis and mix management.

Ability to effectively listen, communicate and perform diplomacy with internal and external customers and staff in all situations.

Ability to stand and move throughout the hotel property and continuously perform essential job functions.

Develop awareness and reputation of the hotel and the brand in the local community

Direct and manage all group, transient, and banquet sales activities to maximize revenue for the hotel.

Prepare, implement and compile data for the strategic sales plan, monthly reports, annual goals, sales and marketing budget, forecasts and other reports as directed/required.

Perform other duties as assigned.

May participate in Manager on Duty Program

Event Manager - Delta Prince Edward Hotel, By Marriott, PEI, Canada. 03/01/2016 – 09/01/2017

Development, production and delivery of projects from proposal right up to delivery.

Delivering events on time, within budget, that meet (and hopefully exceed) expectations.

Setting, communicating and maintaining timelines and priorities on every project

Communicating, maintaining and developing client relationships

Managing supplier relationships

Managing operational and administrative functions to ensure specific projects are delivered efficiently

Providing leadership, motivation, direction and support to my team

Travelling to on site inspections and project managing event.

Being responsible for all project budgets from start to finish.

Ensuring excellent customer service and quality delivery

Cairo Marriott Omar Elkhayyam Casino -Egypt Cairo. 02/2015 -02/2016

Event Manager

Handling all the events social & SMERF

■Responsible for meeting spaces, and ballrooms for corporate and SMERF clients at Cairo Marriott (Second biggest hotel in the Middle east & Africa) 1280 rooms.

■Oversee event’s management by processing event contracts, planning the menu for the event, arranging our ballrooms to meet the client’s needs, make sure every member of the staff knows his/her job for the event, and oversee the billing procedures

Holiday Inn Princeton –New Jersey -USA (11/2013- 12/ 2014)

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Book group events within the group booking parameters, ensuring that sales progress seamlessly and accurately by following established process and procedures

• Up-sell products and services, closing the best opportunities for the property based on market conditions and property needs • Gather and input all important customer data in order to plan appropriately (e.g. customer’s goals, specific needs, key account info, etc.)

• Closes sales by collecting client deposit and signed contract

• Provide accurate, complete and effective turnover to Event Coordination and the Food & Beverage team(s)

• Manage the Event Coordinator to ensure events progress seamlessly by following established procedures, collaborating with other employees, and ensuring accuracy

• Confirm final billing accuracy prior to and then process the final bill

• Handle event planning aspects prior to the business turning over for business booked in advance (greater than one year out) • Gain and maintain an understanding of the overall market (e.g., competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc.) and sell against them

• Identify operational challenges associated with a group and determine how to best work with the property staff and customer to solve these challenges and/or develop alternative solutions

• Represent sales department at staff and stand up meetings and report on sales activity

• Work to develop new or existing policies and procedures as determined by need in order to enhance the productivity of the event process

• Ensure site inspections/visits; verify that the business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for quality service delivery • Adhere to all standards, policies, and procedures

• Support other members of the Sales Team, stepping in to assist in duties as appropriate

• Attend and participate in staff meetings as required

• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned

Indigo by IHG Intercontinental, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA (05/2011 - 11/2013)

Sales & Catering Manager

■Along with the Sales responsibilities mentioned below I was also responsible for organizing events (i.e. weddings, reunions, corporate parties, and birthday parties, etc.) held at the hotel

■Oversee event’s management by processing event contracts, planning the menu for the event, arranging our ballrooms to meet the client’s needs, make sure every member of the staff knows his/her job for the event, and oversee the billing procedures

■Responsible for selling rooms, meeting spaces, and ballrooms for corporate and SMURF clients at Hotel Indigo

■In collaboration with other Marketing & Sales colleagues, bring in business with new customers & expand the current one to new domains

Hampton Inn by Hilton, South Plainfield, NJ, U.S.A (01/2011 – 05/2011)

Sales Manager

■Responsible for selling rooms and meeting spaces, for corporate and SMURF clients, at the Hampton Inn

Marriott Regional Sales Office, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A. (03/2008 – 12/2010)

Sales Manager

Responsible for selling rooms and meeting spaces, for corporate and SMURF clients, in 28 properties across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York

Courtyard by Marriott, Basking Ridge, NJ, U.S.A. (03/2006 – 01/2008)

Front Desk Supervisor

In charge of ensuring that all of the day’s check-ins go smoothly and resolving any issues that may arise with upset customers or faculty error

Manage day-to-day room allocations and management focused on VIP & major accounts’ guests

Training new employees to be able to perform all of the duties required of them at the Front Desk/Check-In counter

Planning out the week’s Front Desk schedule

Follow up with the housekeepers to make sure that all rooms were cleaned, without issue, so that the rooms are available on time for all of the day’s check-ins & resolving any issues that may have come up

Order all Front Desk stationary supplies and equipment and making sure they are stocked (i.e. room keys, printer paper, pens, etc.)

Rite Aid Pharmacy, Basking Ridge, NJ, U.S.A. 01/2004 – 02/2006

Contracted Pharmacy Technician

Supervised by a registered Pharmacist, I acted as the primary contact for all patients - registering, preparing, and dispensing prescriptions

My role also involved dealing with patient complaints, moderating between patients, physicians, and health insurance companies to resolve issues all while maintaining patient satisfaction.

Japanese School, Dubai, U.A.E. 11/1996 -11/1998

Public Affairs Associate & Arabic Secretary to the School

My main functions was to liaise with U.A.E. Ministry of Education & represent the Japanese School’s point of view to the ministry administrator, ensuring compliance with local regulations

The primary focus was to resolve long standing issues with the Ministry of Education caused by poor communication & disrupted understanding between the Japanese School & their local counterpart

CERTIFICATIONS

■IHG Way of Sales Solution Selling for Lifestyle Brands December 2019

■Director of Sales Orientation for Lifestyle Brands

■Completed all Intercontinental Sales & Catering Courses

■Completed all Hilton Management Courses (ADA, OnQ R&I, Hilton HHonors, and Revenue Management)

■Marriott Affinity Sales Certificate - 2008

■Marriott SFA Certificate - 2008

■Marriott MCRB Management Certificate - 2007

■Pharmacy Technician Certification - Raritan Valley Community College - 2003

HONORS & AWARDS

■Letter of Recognition - Hotel Indigo - 2014

■Associate of the Quarter - Courtyard by Marriott - 2007

■Employee of the Month - Courtyard by Marriott - 2006

■Letter of Recognition - Japanese School - 1998

EXTRA TRAINING

■Focusing on your customers - HMM plus, Marriott training Center - March 2007

■Giving & receiving feedback - HMM plus, Marriott training center - March 2007

■Keeping teams on target - HMM plus, Marriott training center - March 2007

■Leading & motivating - HMM plus, Marriott training center - April 2007

■Front desk & above - Marriott training center - Dec. 2006

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Mimi Varchi

General Manager at Hotel Indigo by IHG

Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

Cell: 267-***-****

adicq8@r.postjobfree.com

adicq8@r.postjobfree.com

Adam Henderson Goonjan Dhar

General Manager at Holiday Inn

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA Director of Sales at Marriott

Bridgewater, NJ, USA - Tell: 646-***-****

Tell: 732-***-****

Cell: 908-***-****

Flora Brotherson

General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott

Elizabeth, NJ, USA

Tel: 732-***-****

adicq8@r.postjobfree.com

MORE INFORMATION

■Hold American, Canadian, and Egyptian citizenship

■Successful track in the customer services & hospitality industry, documented by recognitions & awards from both management & customers alike

■Established track of accountability

■Successful track in developing new concepts / providing new options to gain agreements, resolve issues & manage crisis

■All documents and Certifications available upon request

EDUCATION

Pharmacy Technician: (2003)

RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Branchburg, NJ

Bachelor Social Services (1992)

Helwan University – Cairo - Egypt

Contact this candidate