Complex Director of Catering

HRI Hospitality•New Orleans, LA

4d•$65,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

At HRI Hospitality, we offer a unique perspective on hotel ownership and management. We’re here to expand the possibilities of what once was, with our history of restoring properties to their former glory as well as new build projects that become the center of their vibrant urban community, we take it to the next level. We are looking for people to join our team that share in the passion for warm welcomes and creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. With a wide array of brands in exciting locations, HRI Hospitality is the destination to set course for growing your career! The Barnett Hotel and Maison Metier Hotel is looking for a Complex Director of Catering. As one of the most distinctive hotels in New Orleans Warehouse District, The Barnett pulses with New Orleans energy, only blocks away from Caesar’s New Orleans and the Caesar’s Superdome. Designed to blend luxury with comfort, immaculate guest rooms cultivate a sense of ease. Each boasts vintage-inspired decor, plush bedding, and standout amenities that cater to every need. The Barnett provides a sophisticated, stylish retreat that embodies the spirit of its surroundings, ensuring an unforgettable experience for every guest. Maison Métier is where New Orleans’ magic meets timeless luxury. A One MICHELIN Key hotel for two consecutive years and honored among Fodor’s Travel’s 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World, our historic retreat stands on the storied corner of Carondelet and Lafayette streets, once home to the City Hall Annex built in 1906. Today, its original character is elevated by contemporary design and curated art, designed in partnership with Studio Shamshiri. You’ll find the unmistakable spirit of the Big Easy is within our walls. Rich with character yet refined in every detail, Maison Métier invites you to experience the city’s festivals, flavors, and heritage with intimacy, elegance, and your four-legged companion by your side. JOB SUMMARY The Director of Catering provides overall sales leadership to exceed banquet and catering revenues (food, beverage, room rental and audio visual) for the property. The Director of Catering is also responsible for meeting assigned monthly sales goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent industry experience.
Minimum 2-3 Years as a Director of Catering or Sr. Catering Sales Manager level with demonstrated wide-ranging knowledge of food and beverage and meeting room setup
Must be able to read, write, and understand English
Excellent verbal and written communication skills including leading and participating in formal presentations
Strong negotiation skills as well as the ability to cultivate leads, build relationships, and achieve financial expectations
Strong experience in the booking and execution of high end social events, to include Galas, Wedding ceremonies, Wedding receptions, Rehearsal dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s, Birthday and Anniversary parties
Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
Extensive knowledge of all aspects of banquets, catering, and conference services
Extensive knowledge of creative and profitable menu development
Strong computer skills. Microsoft Office, Delphi, Envision, or other hotel sales systems, and other programs as it pertains to this position
Understanding of budgetary and fiscal responsibility to the department
Knowledge of all operational areas of the property
Ability to provide strong leadership, mentorship, training, and coaching & counseling skills
Strong desire to deliver high-quality customer service
Detail-oriented and organized as it pertains to accuracy and efficiency
Good personnel, management, and organizational skills
Understanding of pace and productivity reporting

Nice To Haves

Envision knowledge is highly preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead the Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s) in achieving and exceeding budgeted goals in food, beverage, and room rental revenue, profit, and occupancy for the total hotel
Ensure Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s) adhere to professional and timely correspondences, proposals, contracts, and follow-up
Responsible for accurate and timely production of the property catering pace report and catering productivity report
Responsible for the training and development of newly hired Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services as it relates to banquet and catering-specific topics
Work with the Director of Sales on the development of quarterly booking goals for Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s)
Work with the Director of Sales on the catering revenue and expense budget/forecast reports
Work with the Executive Chef and Food and Beverage team to ensure that Banquet and Catering Menus are creative, innovative, and priced appropriately for the market
Attend and actively participate in yield management meetings with the goal of optimizing the catering mix of business.
Carefully review all catering contracts to ensure proper contribution to catering profit
Identify trends, research the competition’s products, services, and pricing, and use it to develop strategic business plans.
Work with Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s) to ensure the optimization of room rental and audio-visual revenues
Actively participate in community and industry-related organizations
Monitor sales performance of Catering Manager(s) and Conference Service Manager(s) and coach and council toward success
Work with the Director of Sales on the completion of the Annual Marketing Plan and Quarterly Owner Review presentations
Partner with the Director of Sales to develop sales strategies for maximizing catering revenue
Partner with the Corporate Marketing Manager to develop promotions to drive catering revenue during need periods.
Participate in management meetings to discuss budget and forecast
Conduct weekly sales calls to existing and new accounts, as well as uncover new business through internet searches, telephone and email solicitations, mailings, referrals, networking, trade shows, professional and community organizations, sales, blitzes, etc.in the assigned market segment(s)
Build and strengthen relationships with existing and new accounts to enable future bookings. Activities include sales calls, entertainment, trade shows, etc.
Arrange site inspections of the hotel for new accounts
Maintain accurate sales records in the hotel sales system to provide complete history, ensure future and current quality of service, and enhance future prospects
Respond to all sales inquiries within 24 business hours
Execute and support the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposals, writing contracts, customer correspondence, BEO’s)
Responsible for negotiating catering sales contracts and the implementation and setup as required
Actively and creatively up-sell each catering event to maximize revenue
Analyze historical, current, and future hotel/market trends and develop strategies to maximize function space occupancy through creative and selective selling
Partner with the operations team to coordinate customer specifications, and effectively respond to customer issues and comments to ensure customer satisfaction
Adjust work schedule as needed to meet the business demands, which may include hours in early morning, evening and/or weekend hours
Supervise execution of banquet events which may include working on the weekends, evenings or holidays
Participate in property weekly meetings, if applicable
Other duties as assigned