Director of Catering and Convention Services

Sonesta Hotels•Minneapolis, MN

21d•$95,000 - $105,000

About The Position

Develop and implement the total sales and marketing strategies of the catering department, including securing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and executing sales and marketing tactical plans to maximize the profitability of the hotel while maintaining guest satisfaction. Oversee all functions of the Conference/Conventions Services Department. Ensure that all conferences, meetings and group activities are coordinated and managed within client expectations. Upsell client events and manage function space and room block inventory to maximize hotel profit. Ensure hotel and client fulfill group contract commitments.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in marketing or related field or equivalent
3+ years’ experience in a catering setting or related field, with direct supervisory experience over a sales/catering team, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
Must speak fluent English
Demonstrable expertise in analysis and action taking
Excellent oral and written communication
Excellent organization skills
Appropriate professional appearance and demeanor
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Reading and writing abilities are utilized often when completing paperwork and management reports, interpreting results, giving and receiving instructions, and training
Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances are utilized frequently.
Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are used often.
Ability to travel to attend workshops, tradeshows, conventions, etc.
May require a valid Driver’s License.
May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

Nice To Haves

Other languages preferred

Responsibilities

Direct the day-to-day activities of the catering and conference services team.
Advise staff of formal policies and procedures.
Develop and maintain relationships with key clients in support of food & beverage sales, and catering/banquet services.
Establish client base of organizations, associations and commercial business through direct outside sales efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel.
Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
Identify operational problems that impact the effectiveness of overall catering sales performance and work closely with appropriate departments on solutions.
Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients in accordance with company and property policy.
Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc.
Arrange all details of conventions and or catering events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services, and approved method of payment.
Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
Schedule conventions and business group activities and coordinate with other hotel-level departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
Monitor and ensure all functions are set-up, refreshed and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and department procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
May serve as manager on duty when required.
Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.
Work closely with Executive Chef on menu design and concepts pricing for catering events.
Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meeting with clients and catering staff.
Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the hotel.
Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner.
Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction.
Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals.
Complete forecasts, plans, and sales production reports.
Develop and motivate a catering team that is responsible for developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and implementing catering strategies to achieve catering revenue goals and maximize profits for the hotel, while maintaining guest satisfaction.
Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing/human resources-related actions in accordance with Company rules and policies.
Ensure team members receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations and in accordance with company policy and/or local laws
Responsible for monitoring, measuring, and recognizing performance of team members who directly report to the role and indirect reports
Support, comply and promote company initiative, policies and guidelines.
Handle employee issues in a professional and timely manner
Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate office
Capable of influencing employees to perform to their highest standard and establishing a trusting environment to enrich the culture
Focus on the mission and well-being of the department, hotel, and company as a whole
Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect