Jillian Byers
CA
Summary
Guest focused, strategic-thinking Sales & Events Executive offering 7+ years of experience in cultivating partnerships, retaining top accounts and growing profit channels. Innovative and forward-thinking leader with expertise in expanding network connections and persuasively introducing brand awareness. Proven track record of identifying and creating profitable business opportunities, qualifying authentic prospects and cultivating strong partnerships. Demonstrates strong prowess in team leadership and development.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Coordinator
Promises2Kids
05.2024 - Current
- Organize and maintain all administrative records pertaining to philanthropic events
- Liaise between philanthropic donors and organization
- Solicit new donors and encourage exposure of organization's vision/mission
- Handle sensitive donor information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality in all administrative tasks related to events management.
- Become well versed in how to best utilize Auctria and SalesForce
- Manage all aspects of auctions during events including but not limited to: solicit in-kind donations for Auction, track all donations in internal trackers, enter all donations in Auctria, enter all donations and donor information in SalesForce, offer excellent customer service to encourage bidding
- Collaborated with cross-functional internal teams to plan and execute memorable events that met organizational objectives.
- Maintain detailed records of all events, facilitating post-event analysis for continuous improvement efforts.
Executive Sales Assistant
Vine Hospitality
11.2023 - 01.2024
- Supported the on-site Sales & Events Team virtually through holiday season while relocating to Southern California
- Stayed organized and on top of sales activities for multiple restaurants through regular CRM tracking.
- Progressed sales through to completion by working closely with Director of Sales and several Event Coordinators.
- Optimized sales approaches based on account, competitor and general market trends.
- Created sales proposals and delivered presentations to high-level decision-makers both within the company and the community.
- Created SOP's for implementation of additional revenue channels.
- Worked in conjunction with Director of Sales and Director of Communications to build successful sales campaigns to reach target audiences with consistent branding.
- Worked in conjunction with several Brand Chef's to create specialty menus, offerings, and experiences in order to boost sales.
Director of Events & Catering
Vine Hospitality
09.2021 - 11.2023
- Oversee Banquet and Catering revenue for full portfolio of 9 locations consisting of various restaurant brands.
- Maintain close working relationship with senior leadership, both Operations and Culinary.
- Manage, develop & support Event Coordinators and Event Assistants for each location
- Build lasting, lucrative relationships with community members and leaders through effective communication and active listening skills.
- Implement protocols and procedures to effectively manage planning process including evaluating existing plans, processes and events services to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to event pacing, cancellations, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation, and proposal development for various opportunities.
- Create marketing plans, grow event revenue each year and partner with area hotels and facilities to confirm continued top service.
- Drove catering revenues by bringing in new business to establishment, consistently exceeding quarterly and yearly goals.
- Set and enforced performance and service standards for Operations to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated closely with VIP clients to develop exciting catering menus for memorable events.
Sales and Events Manager
Vine Hospitality
02.2019 - 09.2021
- Oversee Banquet & Catering Sales and Operations for 3 locations on Santana Row - LB Steak, Meso Modern Mediterranean, and Left Bank Brasserie
- Hire and manage Events Assistants and Event Coordinators for multiple properties
- Penetrated new market areas (ie. catering and off site sales) by investigating competitor products, services and trends
- Developed and managed area sales program and market operations
- Raised customer satisfaction helping to build lasting relationships with customers
- Addressed customer complaints quickly to drive satisfaction and adjusted operational strategies to reduce issues
- Audited location sales performance and data trends to improve underperforming areas
- Met with Director of Marketing and Events on weekly basis to discuss techniques for overcoming objections and closing deals
- Cultivated and curated private dining menus and catering menus with multiple Executive Chefs and Culinary Director based off of guest requests and industry trends
Event Coordinator
LB Steak Santana Row
07.2017 - 02.2019
- Managed Banquet logistics and operations.
- Organized corporate luncheons, dinners, conferences and special events for both in-house and off site
- Maintained close communication with clients to ensure events exceed expectations
- Grew revenue by ~5% year over year closing on leads generated from events
- Managed and maintained accurate Banquet and Catering reporting for periodical P&L meetings
- Assessed and adjusted events planning services, vendors, and related costs to maximize cash flow through
- Demonstrated full store expertise on merchandise locations, enabling optimum service to inquiring customers
- Tracked private dining warehouse contents continually, maintained constant awareness of stock levels and performed formal inventory review
Service Manager
LB Steak Santana Row
04.2016 - 07.2017
- Monitored business levels and realigned team positions to provide optimal coverage for customer demands
- Conducted daily pre-shift and weekly departmental meetings to ensure organizational efficiency
- Estimated and controlled smallwares supply requirements based on historical needs and projected business levels
- Resourced/Hired both service staff and culinary staff and was main contact for onboarding and new employee training
- Coached team members on food safety and sanitation processes, customer service, menu education and up-selling techniques to drive revenue
- Trained all service staff on restaurant policies and procedures, guest service techniques and communication skills to ensure positive experience
Service Professional
Seasons 52
05.2015 - 04.2016
- Committed to running focused and disciplined shifts by leveraging positive performance through peers
- Inspired excellence by maintaining high level of standards, coaching and communicating in the moment and through follow up
- Created culture through adhering to set of values and organizing team community service
- Developed others with ongoing training and feedback
- Analyzing COGS, AvsT, inventory management for beverage and smallwares, reconciled vendor invoices/statements
Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CA05.2011
Skills
- Special Events Planning
- Administrative Recordkeeping
- CRM Tracking
- Contract Negotiations
- Self-directed
- Catering Coordination
- P&L Management
- Business Focused, Guest Oriented
- Develop Business Growth and Brand Awareness
- Excellent Written and Verbal Communicator
- Sales/Events Training and Development
- Fine Dining Service Knowledge
- Knowledgeable of FOH & BOH restaurant operations
- Skilled in SalesForce, Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, Canva, & Auctria
- Skilled in TripleSeat, OpenTable, CTUIT, Aloha, & Toast
Timeline
Event Coordinator
Promises2Kids
05.2024 - Current
Executive Sales Assistant
Vine Hospitality
11.2023 - 01.2024
Director of Events & Catering
Vine Hospitality
09.2021 - 11.2023
Sales and Events Manager
Vine Hospitality
02.2019 - 09.2021
Event Coordinator
LB Steak Santana Row
07.2017 - 02.2019
Service Manager
LB Steak Santana Row
04.2016 - 07.2017
Service Professional
Seasons 52
05.2015 - 04.2016
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
California State University, Sacramento
Similar Profiles
Ikemba DykeIkemba Dyke
Youth Development Program Coordinator at Promises2KidsYouth Development Program Coordinator at Promises2Kids
Xander PerezXander Perez
General Manager at McDonald'sGeneral Manager at McDonald's
Wendy Holt PorterWendy Holt Porter
Lead Counselor - Early Recovery Specialist. at Aegis Pinnacle Treatment Clinic.Lead Counselor - Early Recovery Specialist. at Aegis Pinnacle Treatment Clinic.