Senior Conference Services and Catering Manager

Job Description

We are home to events that matter.  As the Senior Conference Services & Catering Manager, you will work alongside the Director of Conference Services & Catering to lead a dynamic team to excellent results by developing your team’s skills and working with all conference service and catering sales staff, in order to solicit, book and coordinate banquet/ catering functions that ensure customer satisfaction and maximize hotel revenue and profitability.                                                                     

Your expertise will enhance the reputation by acting as a liaison between client and operational departments to ensure a successful meeting and generate repeat business.  You will also ensure profitability of the department by maximizing revenues, control labor expenses and maintaining food and beverage expenses. *Position is based on-site.

Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000

What you will be doing:  

• Solicit and book Catering & Conference Service Events, including weddings and business through targeted activities.  Soliciting includes making sales calls, responding to inquiry calls, appointments, etc.
• Organize catering and/or convention booking files and consistently maintain accurate records of communication and activities.
• Obtain/confirm all event-related information including, but not limited to, meeting specifications, audio visual, rooming lists, technical needs, exhibit needs, food and beverage requirements, etc.
• Organize/distribute group resumes, conference agendas, banquet event orders, floorplans, etc. to all operating partners accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Ensure function space is optimized/maximized for guest experience and financial performance of department.
• Yield sleeping room block and function space, ensuring optimization of financial return/performance.
• Drive revenue growth through upselling.
• Initiate/follow up on billing procedures, ensuring deposits and/or credit applications are received within acceptable timeframes.
• Accurately forecast revenue by day, by meal period by month for each assigned Group.
• Conduct any/all site inspections as required, including ‘walk-in’ inquiries.
• Conduct pre-conference/event meetings with clients and pertinent departments to confirm all relevant details are communicated.
• Attend necessary meetings within hotel that affect/are affected by the Catering, Conference Services &/or Events department (i.e. credit, pick-up, sales, leadership).
• Establish and maintain rapport with clients, prior to, during and post conference, exceeding their expectations and encouraging repeat business in order to achieve high VOG scores.
• Ensure guest/group experience while onsite, through personal interaction and attendance at functions throughout the stay.  Work closely with Operations partners to ensure smooth transition/turnover. Check-in with the meeting planners of each event to make sure everything is in order.
• Participate in local community through associations, memberships and involvement.  Be an ambassador of the hotel within the local community.
• Complete yearly competitive shop within our group mix of hotels

Qualifications

Your experience and skills include:

• Must be able to fluently speak, read, write and understand the English language.
• Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process.
• Must be service oriented and capable of communicating effectively with persons involved in all levels of authority, both internally and externally.
• Must possess basic mathematical ability.
• Must possess computer skills, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and e-mail functions.
• Experience with Opera and SocialTables preferred
• Must be able to multi-task and be detail-oriented in a fast paced, high volume environment.
• Must have ability to work independently and to prioritize or seek clarification in prioritizing work assignments.
• Maintain a professional working environment and attitude.
• Must have a proven ability to plan and organize events effectively with an acute sense of detail.
• Strong leadership, excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, proven problem solving abilities.
• Understand banquet operations and how it pertains to Catering & Conventions.
• Have a good understanding of menu description, design, and pricing.

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent or vocational training
• University/College degree in a related discipline preferred
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification preferred

Experience

• Two years of previous leadership experience within luxury market, and similar role, required