Director of Catering

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation•Royal Sonesta Cambridge, MA

1d•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. This role requires an enthusiastic, aggressive, and results-driven professional with 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. This position works closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM) to achieve annual goals, budget, and targets. The Director of Catering is responsible for the supervision of Catering sales managers, trainees, and administrative staff. This role collaborates with the Asst. Director of Convention Services and acts as a liaison between Catering & Convention Services and all departments throughout the hotel. Strong communication and organizational skills are of the utmost importance.

Requirements

Enthusiastic, aggressive, and results driven professional
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 for approval and administer that budget 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 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.
Ability to 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
Ability to follow departmental policies and procedures
Ability to follow all safety policies

Nice To Haves

Experience in the hotel industry
Experience in sales and marketing

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