Director of Catering and Conference Services

Salamander Palm Beach Employer LLC•Palm Beach Gardens, FL

22d

About The Position

The Director of Catering and Conference Services is the champion of the resort’s catering, meetings and events experience. Applicants must possess at least 5 years of catering and convention services experience and 3 in a leadership role in a similar or bigger size catering and conference Services department dealing with guests in the luxury space. As a critical and key leadership role within the catering and meetings and events team, the Director of Catering & Conference Services is responsible for working effectively with other hotel departments to create a community of best practices for a seamless catering and meetings experience. They are an essential point of continuity, and an expert partner for the Meeting Planner through all stages of their experience, taking a proactive approach and building long term relationships. Responsible for leading the efforts of the catering and convention services team as well as detailing and facilitating large events and ensuring a high degree of customer satisfaction, generating increased revenues, expanding market share, and nurturing return business.

Requirements

Must be revenue-focused driven and have the capacity to monitor forecasts and business booking pace
Flexible work hours to include weekend and holidays in order to meet the demands of a 24-hour operation
At least 5 years of experience in catering & Conference Services
Strong leadership skills to inspire and drive the team to achieve results
Good capacity to create and maintain excellent client relationships and to look for new business opportunities
Capacity to permanently innovate the catering product and to ensure that all revenue streams are maximized
Should lead by example, fosters trust within the team and the hotel in general
A depth of Catering/Conference Service experience plus a strong F&B operation
Previous leadership experience within a similar role required
Computer literate in Microsoft Window applications and relevant computer applications required
Strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
Highly responsible & reliable
Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times

Nice To Haves

Relevant related college education (preferable)

Responsibilities

Handles one or more Catering & Conference Services market segments based on the need of the resort and/or instructions from senior management. In that role, the Director of Catering & Conference Services will actively handle the representation, selling and servicing of catering events or groups at the resort.
Completes forecasts, plans, and productivity reports for senior management.
Participates in the preparation of annual departmental operating budgets and financial plans.
Monitors budget and up-sell products and services while managing departmental costs and waste.
Negotiates pricing of catering, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.
Ensures that all special arrangements-Food and Beverage, Audio Visual, and other requests are properly documented on BEO's and signed by an authorized representative.
Attends pre-conference meetings with clients and pertinent departments to confirm all relevant details are communicated.
Understands and responds to all guest needs and requests in a timely and professional manner.
Acts as a liaison between hotel and groups, ensuring meeting space is appropriately set up, and handling any special client requests and activities on or off-site.
Creates group resumes sheets which detail group purpose, room/suite block/pickup, rates and special negotiations, VIP’s, meeting and recreation agenda, AV, accounting, and all special instructions to operational departments of hotel.
Plans all group food and beverage events, including assistance with menu selection, decorations, entertainment, and audio visual.
Addresses unexpected problems as they arise to make sure that the events go as planned.
Attains pre-set monthly revenue goals for catering and banquet departments, as determined by senior management.
Meets clients upon arrival and introduces them to key hotel staff.
Creates Banquet Event Orders that include information for each groups’ meeting and food and beverage functions.
Communicates last-minute changes in group functions to hotel staff and ensures satisfactory follow-up.
Plans and direct pre-convention meetings, as requested by client.
Leads weekly group evaluation meetings, as needed, ensuring that other hotel departments understand their roles in upcoming group programs, and reviewing past performance for groups which have checked out.
Follows all policies and procedures.
Consistently offer professional, friendly and engaging service
Direct and manage all activity related to the office, ensuring all service standards are followed
Responsible for all catering & Conference Services team members; from booking to execution and conference services from the time a contract becomes definite to execution
Establish and maintain rapport with clients, prior to, during and post conference, exceeding their expectations and encouraging repeat business.
Conduct site inspections as required.
Develop annual business plans for the department in conjunction with the Director of Sales and Marketing or other senior management executives
Ensure that function bookings, group resumes and event contract are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently
Ensure meeting and function rooms are properly maintained at all times liaising with food and beverage outlets regarding reservations and flow of clients
Work closely with the Sales & Marketing team to prepare monthly forecasts
Balance operational, administrative and Colleague needs
Follow departmental policies and procedures
Follow all safety policies
Serve on the Leadership Committee
Maintain Delphi and all operational communications
Continuously trains and develops staff