Private Events Sales Manager

Xiquet by Danny Lledó | Washington, DC

Compensation: $60,000 Base Salary + Commission
Employment Type: Full-Time | Hybrid Following Initial Onboarding
Experience: 5+ Years in Hospitality Sales, Private Events, or Business Development

Xiquet by Danny Lledó is seeking an experienced, results-driven Private Events Sales Manager to develop and grow our private dining and special events business.

We are looking for an established hospitality sales professional who knows how to generate business, build relationships, and turn opportunities into confirmed events.

The ideal candidate brings an existing book of business or a proven understanding of lead generation, lead flow, prospecting, and how to independently develop a qualified sales pipeline.

This is not simply an event coordination position. We need someone who is equally comfortable pursuing new business, negotiating and closing high-value events, and managing the details that make each event exceptional.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Proven Sales Experience: A successful track record in private event sales, hospitality business development, or corporate event bookings.

• Business Development: An existing professional network or demonstrated ability to independently generate and convert qualified leads.

• Relationship Building: Confidence developing partnerships with corporate clients, executive assistants, event planners, luxury concierges, and private clientele.

• Sales Ownership: The ability to manage the entire sales cycle, from initial prospecting through contract execution and repeat business.

• Event Expertise: Experience coordinating complex, high-value events while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

• Independent Accountability: A self-directed, organized approach to managing sales goals, pipelines, follow-ups, and revenue performance.

We want someone who understands that exceptional hospitality and successful sales go hand in hand.

Xiquet (pronounced chee-KETT) by internationally award-winning Chef Danny Lledó earned its MICHELIN Star in 2021—just one year after opening its intimate dining room in Glover Park—and has retained the distinction every year since.

Recognized among the finest restaurants in Washington, DC, Xiquet showcases modern Spanish cuisine inspired by the flavors and traditions of Valencia, paired with warm Mediterranean hospitality.

Guests experience a thoughtfully curated 10-course tasting menu beginning with vibrant aperitivos, with each course prepared in our stunning glass-enclosed wood-fire kitchen. The evening concludes in our elegant mezzanine lounge with after-dinner cocktails, digestifs, and petit fours.

Our distinctive setting provides an exceptional backdrop for corporate gatherings, executive dinners, private celebrations, luxury brand experiences, and exclusive restaurant buyouts.

• One MICHELIN Star (2021–2025)

• Michelin Guide Sommelier of the Year (2022)

• AAA Five Diamond Award (2022–2026)

• Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (2023–2026)

• RAMMY Award – Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year (2023)

• Washingtonian Top 10 Best Restaurants (2023)

• OAD Top 100 Restaurants in North America (2023, 2024)

Sales & Business Development

• Actively prospect and generate new private event business through outreach, networking, referrals, and partnerships.

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate accounts, executive assistants, professional event planners, luxury hotels, and private clients.

• Manage inbound inquiries while independently developing new business opportunities.

• Conduct site visits, prepare proposals, negotiate agreements, and close event bookings.

• Meet established sales and revenue targets while developing a consistent pipeline of future business.

• Identify opportunities for repeat bookings, client referrals, and long-term corporate partnerships.

Private Event Coordination

• Serve as the primary client contact throughout the planning process.

• Coordinate menus, beverage selections, event timelines, seating arrangements, and special requests.

• Collaborate with culinary, service, and management teams to ensure flawless execution.

• Manage event contracts, deposits, documentation, and client communications.

• Support on-site event coordination as needed and maintain relationships following each event.

Sales Strategy & Performance

• Maintain accurate CRM records, lead tracking, and sales pipeline documentation.

• Monitor booking conversions, lead sources, and revenue performance.

• Develop strategies to increase private event revenue, including during traditionally slower periods.

• Provide regular sales forecasts and performance updates to management.

• Identify new partnerships, market segments, and business development opportunities.

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in hospitality sales, private events, luxury hospitality, or related business development.

• Proven success generating leads, closing event bookings, and meeting revenue targets.

• Existing book of business or demonstrated ability to independently build a sustainable sales pipeline.

• Established Washington, DC-area professional network strongly preferred.

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.

• Experience with CRM systems, lead tracking, and sales reporting.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate multiple events simultaneously.

• Confidence working with executive-level clientele and high-value private events.

• Experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, or premium event venues preferred.

• Self-motivated, highly accountable, and comfortable working independently.

This is a full-time position that transitions to a hybrid schedule following initial onboarding.

Initial Onboarding: Approximately 50 hours per week on-site at Xiquet to develop a thorough understanding of our operations, event spaces, guest experience, and sales opportunities.

Established Hybrid Schedule: Following successful onboarding, approximately 20–30 hours per week on-site, with the balance of working hours performed remotely.

Candidates must maintain flexibility for client meetings, property tours, networking opportunities, and private events, including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Base Salary: $60,000 annually

• Sales Commission: Earn 3–5% commission on private event sales, with performance-based commission tiers that increase as revenue targets are achieved. 

• Health insurance

• Paid time off

• Dining discounts

• Professional development opportunities

• Hybrid work flexibility following onboarding

• Opportunity to develop and grow a significant revenue channel within a Michelin-starred restaurant

At Xiquet, hospitality comes first. We believe the most successful events are built through genuine relationships, thoughtful planning, and exceptional execution.

We value initiative, accountability, professionalism, and the ability to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

If you know how to build a book of business, cultivate relationships, close sales, and deliver extraordinary hospitality experiences, we'd love to meet you.

Salary: $60,000 + Commission
Benefits: Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Dining Discounts, Hybrid Work Opportunities

Private Event Sales · Business Development · Lead Generation · Client Acquisition · Relationship Management · Corporate Sales · CRM Management · Negotiation · Event Coordination · Revenue Management · Luxury Hospitality