Cluster Events Booking Centre Executive - Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch at Marriott International

CRITICAL TASKS

RESERVATION SERVICES

• Accommodate and document special requests in an accurate and efficient manner.
• Verify all reservation information with callers to ensure accuracy.
• Assign confirmation/cancellation numbers and clearly relay this information to callers, giving them the option of emailing and/or faxing these numbers.
• Explain guarantee and cancellation policies to callers.
• Answer guest questions about property facilities/services (e.g., hours of operation, room availability, restricted dates, rates and room types, packages, promotions, entertainment, restaurants, special events).
• Describe room accommodations and benefit feature sale amenities to guests.
• Communicate information regarding designated VIP reservations, including VIP name, company, and title to upper-level management.
• Determine the most appropriate room type to meet guest requirements and maximize room rate.
• Identify repeat guests using appropriate codes.
• Use sales techniques when assisting guests in making reservations, including personalizing calls, obtaining complete guest needs, suggesting alternate dates or directing guests to sister properties on sold out days.
• Identify guest reservation needs by asking open-ended questions to obtain all necessary information, including enrollment in Marriott Rewards program.

RESERVATION PROCESSING

• Process all reservation requests, changes, and cancellations received by phone, fax, or mail.
• Verify availability of room type, rate, and occupancy before confirming any reservations.
• Input and access data in reservation system by entering correct information into proper fields, including Marriott Rewards number, and asking for travel agency IATA and FIT numbers (i.e., flags, comments, guest messages).
• Inform guests of rules and regulations regarding qualifying rates (e.g., government and special corporate rates and discounts).
• Indicate special room reservation types (e.g., complimentary rooms, employee discounts, travel agent inspection rates, and wholesale reservations) by inputting the correct code and rate into the reservation system.

INVENTORY/ROOMS CONTROL

• Oversee accuracy of room blocks and reservations.
• Respond to any challenges found for accommodating rooming requests by communicating with guest or group contact, Sales Department, or Front Desk.

GROUP RESERVATIONS

• Input group rooming lists using reservation systems (e.g., MARSHA, Fidelio, OPERA).
• Keep organized files of all groups for easy and accurate reference for an event.
• Revise room blocks in the reservation system (e.g., MARSHA, Fidelio, OPERA) to maintain the required number of available rooms after rooming lists are entered.

RESERVATION BILLING

• Set-up proper billing accounts (i.e., share-with, room/tax/incidentals, tax exempt, direct/special billing, group bookings) according to accounting policies.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Maintain confidentiality of proprietary materials and information.
• Protect the privacy and security of clients, guests and coworkers.
• Follow company and department policies and procedures.
• Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by Supervisors.

GUEST RELATIONS

• Address clients and guests' service needs in a professional, positive, and timely manner.
• Actively listen and respond positively to guest questions, concerns, and requests using brand or property specific process (e.g., LEARN, PLEASED, Guest Response, LEAP) to resolve issues, delight, and build trust.
• Anticipate guests' service needs, including asking questions of guests to better understand their needs and watching/listening to guest preferences and acting on them whenever possible.
• Welcome and acknowledge each and every guest with a smile, eye contact, and a friendly verbal greeting, using the guest's name when possible.
• Engage guests in conversation regarding their stay, property services, and area attractions/offerings.
• Assist other employees to ensure proper coverage and prompt guest service.
• Thank guests with genuine appreciation and provide a fond farewell.

COMMUNICATION

• Answer telephones using appropriate etiquette including answering the phone within 3 rings, answering with a smile in one's voice, using the callers' name, transferring calls to appropriate person/department, requesting permission before placing the caller on hold, taking and relaying messages, and allowing the caller to end the call.
• Speak to guests and co-workers using clear, appropriate and professional language.
• Prepare and review written documents (e.g., daily logs, business letters, memoranda, reports), including proofreading and editing written information to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Talk with and listen to other employees to effectively exchange information.

WORKING WITH OTHERS

• Support all co-workers and treat them with dignity and respect.
• Develop and maintain positive and productive working relationships with other employees and departments.
• Partner with and assist others to promote an environment of teamwork and achieve common goals.
• Handle sensitive issues with employees and/or guests with tact, respect, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

• Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards.

PHYSICAL TASKS

• Enter and locate work-related information using computers and/or point of sale systems.
• Read and visually verify information in a variety of formats (e.g., small print).
• Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 10 pounds without assistance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• High school diploma/G.E.D. equivalent

Related Work Experience

• At least 1 year of related work experience

Supervisory Experience

• No supervisory experience is required