Assistant Director of Catering and Conference Services
About The Position
The Assistant Director of Catering and Conference Services supports strategic and operational leadership of the department, helping maximize banquet, catering, meeting, conference, wedding, and group event revenue while ensuring an exceptional luxury guest experience. The role assists with planning, coordinating, executing, and following up on group meetings, social events, weddings, corporate functions, incentive programs, and special events. The position partners with Sales, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Banquets, Revenue Management, Rooms Division, and other operational departments to deliver seamless events aligned with the resort’s luxury standards and brand values. It supports team leadership and development, revenue generation, client relationship management, financial oversight, event execution, and operational excellence. This is an on-site role in a fast-paced luxury hotel and resort environment. The schedule varies according to business demands and may include overnight hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays. The position requires legal eligibility to work in the United States; the hotel cannot assist with obtaining work authorization.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of progressive catering, conference services, or event management experience.
- Minimum 2 years of leadership experience within an upscale or luxury hotel, resort, or destination property.
- Experience managing large-scale meetings, conferences, weddings, and high-profile events.
- Knowledge of luxury hospitality standards and group business operations.
- Strong leadership and coaching abilities.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Advanced organizational and project management skills.
- Strong negotiation and client relationship management abilities.
- Financial acumen and budget management experience.
- Ability to prioritize multiple concurrent events and deadlines.
- High attention to detail and commitment to service excellence.
- Proficiency with Delphi, Opera, Salesforce, or similar hospitality systems.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills.
- Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business demands.
- Must be legally eligible to work in the United States; the hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining U.S. work authorization.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field; equivalent luxury hotel experience may be considered instead.
Responsibilities
- Assist in leading, coaching, developing, and managing the performance of the Catering and Conference Services team.
- Foster luxury service excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation; conduct departmental meetings, training, and one-on-one coaching.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and talent development, and ensure compliance with company policies and employment standards.
- Support annual catering and conference services revenue goals and drive sales opportunities for corporate groups, social events, weddings, galas, and incentive business.
- Assist with pricing strategies and review and approve proposals, contracts, banquet event orders, and event agreements.
- Identify opportunities to upsell food, beverage, audiovisual, décor, ancillary services, and premium experiences.
- Oversee event planning and coordination from contract turnover through post-event review, ensuring events meet luxury service standards.
- Monitor event timelines, room setups, banquet requirements, guest preferences, and special requests; conduct pre-convention, pre-event, and post-event meetings.
- Resolve guest concerns and service recovery opportunities professionally and proactively.
- Develop and maintain client relationships with meeting planners, corporate clients, wedding planners, and travel partners; participate in site inspections, familiarization tours, and sales presentations.
- Serve as a primary contact for assigned key accounts and VIP programs and support client satisfaction and repeat business.
- Assist with annual budgets, monthly forecasts, and strategic business plans; monitor revenue, expenses, productivity, and profitability and recommend corrective actions.
- Ensure accurate billing, deposits, contract administration, and event reconciliation.
- Collaborate with Banquets, Culinary, Stewarding, Engineering, Housekeeping, and Front Office teams.
- Ensure banquet event orders and event documentation are accurate and distributed on time; monitor event-space utilization and inventory.
- Support brand standards and luxury service initiatives and maintain awareness of market trends and competitive intelligence.
Benefits
- Competitive medical, prescription, and vision benefits.
- Employer-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, with additional coverage options available.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching.
- Paid time off, including vacation and personal holidays.
- Performance and incentive bonus opportunities.
- Colleague discounts, including 50% off resort dining, 50% off the Fairmont Store, and 30% off Spa Without Walls treatments.
- Employee rates at more than 5,000 Accor hotels worldwide and Friends & Family travel privileges.
- Complimentary meals while working on property.
- Development resources and career pathways.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
