Banquets - Banquet Event Manager

Human Resources•Napa, CA

1d•$80 - $85•Onsite

About The Position

Acts as central contact for assigned event business, creatively bringing together customer visions and budgets with property resources to exceed customer expectations and meet/exceed property goals.

Requirements

Normally requires high school diploma or general education degree (GED), or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management desired.
Normally requires two years of experience planning, organizing and/or executing events with Convention services, Catering, and/or Banquets. Ability to assist in preparing creative menu offerings from banquet menu guide. Experience with food and wine pairing desired.
Ability to understand and participate in the monthly forecasting and annual budget process.
Strong knowledge of sales techniques with strong skills and ability to negotiate and close sales. Uses skills to up-sell services. Excellent creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups. Ability to generate creative and innovative menus while working closely with Chef on pricing specialty menus.
Completes all required training as scheduled.
Requires ability to determine needs of customers and persuasively present sales options through verbal face-to-face and telephone interactions. Must be able to create and effectively provide options to potential customers. Contacts sometimes contain confidential/sensitive information so requires ability to use discretion. Must demonstrate positive attitude and professional demeanor.
Requires strong communication and interpersonal skills and commitment to a high level of guest satisfaction.
Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Requires attention to detail.
Must be able to solve problems and remain calm and alert if dealing with difficult guest, during busy activity periods or in an emergency situation.
Requires working knowledge of MS Office applications and ability to learn and use telephone and computer systems used at the hotel. Knowledge and experience with current Audio/Visual technology and equipment required to understand customer needs and present optimal solutions.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, vendors and staff. Must be able to speak, read, write and understand English to communicate with management, customers, Team Members and guests.
Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, Team Members may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel. Work schedules will include working on holidays, weekends and alternate shifts.
Must maintain a clean appearance and professional demeanor.

Responsibilities

Meets with customer to understand needs, offer suggestions, and determine all set-up needs, equipment and menu items. Anticipates all needs to provide a flawless execution of the event. Identifies opportunities to cross-sell and up-sell services to optimize total revenue potential and guest experience. Hosts or participates in site inspections and client presentations to ensure property's offerings are showcased. Rebooks for future events.
Executes written sales agreements for varied events including full-service meetings, conventions and social and corporate events.
Creates and maintains each event's banquet event order (BEO) outlining all of the event's details, including instructions for the event, including setup, menu and wine choices. Maintains appropriate contact with customer contact to ensure accuracy and finalize all event details. Generates detailed resumes for the operating departments.
Disseminates all information to appropriate operational departments to ensure customer needs are being met.
Attends and oversees execution of events to ensure client satisfaction. Works closely with banquet department on operations and event execution and quickly evaluates alternatives and decides on a plan of action as needed.
Must wear closed toe and heel shoes. Slip-resistant shoes recommended and may be required. Follows all safety policies and procedures. Acts on reports of potential safety issues or whenever observed and takes immediate action to resolve in emergency situations. OSHA laws require the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when performing work duties that have the potential of risk to your health or safety. Team Members will be trained in the proper use and care of assigned PPE if applicable. The hotel provides the required PPE. Team Member has responsibility to report defective, damaged or lost PPE or equipment that does not fit properly to their Manager. Maintains strict compliance with hotel's Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) program and familiarizes self with current MSDS.
Reporting to work as scheduled (on time and on regular basis) is an essential function of the job.
Maintains well-documented, accurate, organized and up to date file management system to serve client and maintain records of sales efforts and activities.
Develops and maintains strong relationships with current and potential customers through frequent, professional, courteous and ethical interaction.
Promptly follow up with customer inquiries and needs.
Resolves guest complaints within scope of authority, otherwise refers the matter to upper management. Notifies supervisor and/or Security of all unusual events or circumstances.