Director of Catering

Royal Sonesta Cambridge, MA•Cambridge, MA

2d•$120,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Catering is a key staff position responsible for the administration, analysis, development and communication needed to service customers and develop revenues. DOC must be an enthusiastic, aggressive, and results driven, professional individual who possesses the ability and passion for guest service and booking business. The Director of Catering will be responsible for selling catering events as well as servicing all group rooms related conventions/meetings and Catering events. Work closely with DOSM to achieve annual goals, budget and targets. The DOC is responsible for the supervision of Catering sales managers, trainees, and administrative staff. Collaborate with the Asst. Director of Convention Services and act as a liaison between Catering & Convention Services and all departments throughout the hotel. Communication and organizational skills are of the utmost importance.

Requirements

Enthusiastic, aggressive, and results driven, professional individual who possesses the ability and passion for guest service and booking business.
Proficient in general computer knowledge.
Ability to train and monitor the Event contractual agreement process, quoting pricing, setting traces, and the management of accounts.
Ability to prepare an annual budget and administer it in a fiscally responsible manner.
Ability to develop annual goals for Catering and Convention Services Team.
Ability to monitor and review Catering Sales Managers’ sales achievement as it relates to productivity.
Ability to keep the DOSM informed of all activities related to the Catering & Convention Services Department with regular meetings and daily communication.
Ability to work closely with DOSM and DORM on revenue strategies.
Ability to assist the DOSM in establishing and maintaining the annual Sales & Marketing Plan.
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, prior to, during and post conference, exceeding their expectations and encouraging repeat business.
Ability to conduct site inspections as required.
Ability to develop banquet menu pricing, rental fees and revenue minimums, using current competitive data and as directed.
Ability to negotiate/achieve maximum revenue/profit while satisfying clients’ needs.
Ability to participate in daily business review meeting, weekly Catering prospecting review, sales meetings and management meetings.
Ability to coordinate sales efforts between hotel sales department and catering sales to ensure proper utilization of function space to yield maximum revenues.
Ability to ensure that function bookings, group resumes and event contracts are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently.
Ability to work towards providing efficient processes and updating/creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
Ability to ensure Team is well trained on Delphi, monitor Delphi and enforce SOP’s for its use with audits as needed. Work with Delphi Manager on month end reports, maintaining and meeting deadlines.
Ability to answer questions daily from Staff as needed and maintain a good morale in the office-alerting DOSM to any concerns as needed.
Ability to maintain a harmonious working relationship with other departments in the hotel, other hotels, convention bureau and regional offices, as well as constant knowledge of what is happening in the market and other hotel properties.
Ability to ensure meeting and function rooms are properly maintained at all times liaising with food and beverage outlets regarding reservations and flow of clients.
Ability to work closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing to prepare monthly forecasts.
Ability to balance operational, administrative and Colleague needs.
Follow departmental policies and procedures.
Follow all safety policies.

Nice To Haves

Supervision of Catering sales managers, trainees, and administrative staff.
Collaboration with the Asst. Director of Convention Services.
Acting as a liaison between Catering & Convention Services and all departments throughout the hotel.
Communication and organizational skills are of the utmost importance.

Responsibilities

Consistently offer professional, friendly and engaging service
Assist in the recruitment and hiring of team, training, managing and coaching managers to meet company goals and maximize hotel revenues.
Work closely with DOSM to increase Team Engagement and Development in their Sales and/or Management Roles.
Direct, train and manage all activity related to the Catering and Convention Services office, ensuring all service standards are followed.
Responsible for all catering, from booking to execution and conference services from the time a contract becomes definite to execution
Must be proficient in general computer knowledge and able to train and monitor the Event contractual agreement process, quoting pricing, setting traces, and the management of accounts.
Prepare an annual budget for approval and administer that budget in a fiscally responsible manner. Develop annual goals for Catering and Convention Services Team
Monitor and review Catering Sales Managers’ sales achievement as it relates to productivity
Keep the DOSM informed of all activities related to the Catering & Convention Services Department with regular meetings and daily communication
Work closely with DOSM and DORM on revenue strategies.
To assist the DOSM in establishing and maintaining the annual Sales & Marketing Plan
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 banquet menu pricing, rental fees and revenue minimums, using current competitive data and as directed.
Negotiate/achieve maximum revenue/profit while satisfying clients’ needs
Participate in daily business review meeting, weekly Catering prospecting review, sales meetings and management meetings.
Coordinate sales efforts between hotel sales department and catering sales to ensure proper utilization of function space to yield maximum revenues.
Ensure that function bookings, group resumes and event contracts are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently
Work towards providing efficient processes and updating/creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
Ensure Team is well trained on Delphi, monitor Delphi and enforce SOP’s for its use with audits as needed. Work with Delphi Manager on month end reports, maintaining and meeting deadlines
Help to answer questions daily from Staff as needed and maintain a good morale in the office-alerting DOSM to any concerns as needed.
Maintain a harmonious working relationship with other departments in the hotel, other hotels, convention bureau and regional offices, as well as constant knowledge of what is happening in the market and other hotel properties
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 Director of Sales & Marketing to prepare monthly forecasts
Balance operational, administrative and Colleague needs
Follow departmental policies and procedures
Follow all safety policies