Director of Banquets

The Ballantyne Hotel & Spa, Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We're looking for a qualified team member to take on the planning and supervising of all banquet activities, from set up of banquet space, to servicing events, and break down of rooms; ensuring the hotel displays a very high level of quality service. The purpose of this role is to assist in managing the Banquet department in order to exceed guests and The New York Palace expectations, enhance brand image and maximize short - long term profitability. To support direction and provide strategic oversight of the Banquet department within the Food - Beverage Division to achieve consistently high levels of service; provide creative and innovative products; build strong relationships with guests and employees and financial success. To contribute to the direction and provide inspirational leadership with the teams in the Banquet department in order to maximize individual and team potential and develop future capability. To oversee the facilitation of the Guest experience to create a seamless journey to exceed the expectation of a luxury hotel.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.
A minimum of two years of food and beverage and/or hospitality related work experience required.
Leadership skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Attention to detail.
Planning and organizational ability.
Customer Service.

Nice To Haves

4- or 5-star hotel service experience preferred
Alcohol awareness certification and/or food service permit as required by local or state government agency.
Food Service certification as required by franchise.

Responsibilities

Supervises set up of banquet space to ensure timely and accurate room sets and ensures service staff is prepared, organized, and delivers high standards of service.
Reviews event orders with clients; responds quickly to last minute changes; answers questions to guests' satisfaction; reviews guest check with client after function and obtains signature.
Responds quickly to guest requests in a friendly manner. Follows up to ensure guest satisfaction.
Ensures proper sequence of service for events.
Schedules employees at proper staffing levels; watches labor costs daily to ensure efficiency in scheduling.
Requisitions supplies when needed and maintains adequate levels of inventory supplies to meet function needs.
Maintains orderly back areas and ensures equipment is kept clean and stored in a secure manner.
Provides a professional image at all times through appearance and dress.
Follows company policies and procedures and is able to effectively communicate them to subordinates.
Aggressively recruits and staffs department using company hiring standards (i.e. behavioral questioning, reference checks, evaluations and team interviews).
Conducts training classes regarding safety, security, department procedures and service guidelines.
Fulfills Manager on Duty shifts.
Ensures hotel is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws, including OSHA, EEOC, Wage Hour and Health laws.
Ability to work in a fast pace environment
To be familiar with cost control and P & L system
Being able to motivate all banquet staff
Very attentive to details
To guide and inspire exceptional team performance - mentor managers, supervisors - team members in the Banquet department
To build team capability, knowledge and resources to meet short and long term business objectives
Mentor, train and coach team members, oversee new hires and track team training
Manage operational coverage, work load and resource distribution within and across teams
Interviewing, hiring and succession planning of staff: manage vacation, payroll and other
Monitor and evaluate team performance
Oversee the efforts to ensure service standards are consistently met and exceeded.
To support strategic planning - long term development operational, financial and service goals of the Banquet department
Enhance services and standards for the Banquet department
Accountability for day to day P-L in the Banquet department
Instrumental in attracting and retaining loyal guests through close working relations with Sales - Marketing
Anticipate future guest trends and align services offered in the Banquet department
To act as a spokesperson for the Banquet department in order to achieve Hotel vision - build and enhance positive brand image -- with internal and external guests
Develop innovative solutions to enhance communication of guest - service information
Trouble shooting in complex service situations
Plan and prepare with team for events and coordinate unique requirements, to meet the guests needs, pace and degree of personalization
Identify, customize and deliver individual guest requirements.
Ensure effective hosting of the guest experience -- Greet guests upon arrival and departure; engaging with guests to ensure guest delight
Oversee, build and nurture strong relationships with guests and employees
Promote the building of strong relationships with guests and employees through sincere communication and demonstrating a genuine desire to serve
Maintain contact with loyal guests and win disengaged guests back