Director of Rooms - The Ritz-Carlton

Sage Hospitality•Chicago, IL

49d•$115,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

Why us? Iconic architecture, a thriving culinary scene, beautifully landscaped public spaces, and an array of museums are just part of what draws visitors to the Windy City. At The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, a luxury hotel set atop Water Tower Place in the historic Gold Coast, guests will have every chance to explore the city, from shopping along Michigan Avenue to viewing famous works at the Art Institute. Yet with our hotel’s spa, rooftop lounge, locally inspired restaurant, indoor lap pool and spacious accommodations overlooking the city, guests may not want to leave the premises. Recognized as the gold standard of hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton selects only the most passionate and skilled hospitality professionals. As one of our Ladies and Gentlemen, you will reflect the values that make us the world’s finest luxury brand. Here, in a diverse environment where individual aspirations are fulfilled and quality of life is enhanced, you will be inspired to work alongside your fellow employees to bring special moments to life for our guests and each other. Job Overview Plan and manage the room and related area's operations of the hotel to achieve customer (guests, employees, corporate and owners) satisfaction and quality service while meeting/exceeding financial goals. Position is responsible for short and long-term planning and day-to-day operations of the room and related areas. Recommends the area's budget and manages expenses within approved budget constraints. The major areas of responsibility/management include: the front office, guest services, housekeeping, security and gift shop. May have responsibility for recreation and tennis. May participate in total hotel management as a member of the Hotel Executive Committee.

Requirements

A four-year college degree or equivalent education/experience.
Four to five years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and complex problems.
Ability to study, analyze and interpret complex activities and/or information in order to improve new practices or develop new approaches.
Ability to make decisions with only general policies and procedures available for guidance.
Supervisory/management skills.
Must possess communication skills in terms of the ability to negotiate, convince, sell and influence professionals and/or hotel guests.
Ability to respond to guest requests and questions over the phone
Excellent speech communication skills are required to communicate both in person and via telephone with guests, associates and corporate contacts in a professional and extensive manner.
Excellent literacy is required. Must be able to both assimilate and generate explicit and concise documents for publication within our corporate environment.
Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying -must be able to accomplish any task required of associates within assigned departments.
Bending/kneeling -must be able to accomplish any task required of associates within assigned departments.
Mobility -must be able to accomplish any task required of associates within assigned departments.
Continuous standing -must be able to accomplish any task required of associates within assigned departments.
Climbing up to approximately 40 steps 1% of 40 hour week.
Climbing ladders up to approximately 5 feet 15% of 40 hour week.
Driving required as necessary
Inside hotel and office environment 95% of shift

Responsibilities

Manage the human resources functions in the division in order to attract, retain and motivate the employees; interview, hire, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication vehicles, discipline and terminate, as appropriate.
Manages check-in procedures for arriving guests on a daily basis, using both manual and computerized methods, in order to ensure guests are satisfied and in rooms as requested. May need to fill in for various roles within the rooms department as the demands of business requires (Front Office and Housekeeping roles).
Manages guest departure (check-out) on a daily basis by following established manual and computer procedures in order to close guest accounts and open the room for the next sell.
Monitors and regularly calculates and/or posts monies, receipts, guest accounts and other forms of credit using accurate, proper cash handling methods and established procedures in order to present the customer with timely and precise hotel charges upon check-out and maintain accurate hotel records.
Courteously answers inquiries and accepts reservations, both in person and by telephone, by accurately communicating hotel rates and information and by using suggestive selling techniques to sell room nights, increase occupancy and revenue.
Maintains good customer relations by keeping abreast of all in-house and area functions in order to answer questions and concerns with timely and knowledgeable responses, in person and on telephone.
Maximizing revenue in each phone/desk transaction. (Sell from the top down and offer specials last)
Operates the PBX equipment by accepting incoming calls, assisting outgoing calls, scheduling and setting wake-up calls and paging guests to provide guests with timely and efficient service.
Manages the standard procedures for cash transactions at the front desk and maintains complete responsibility for personal bank as specified by hotel bank agreement policy.
Resolve customer complaints as appropriate to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and quality.
Maintains a friendly, cheerful and courteous demeanor at all times.
Ensures that the overall operation of the front desk is completed daily.
Implement emergency organization procedures and training through the management of the security staff to ensure appropriate protection for hotel guests, staff and company assets.
Works closely with housekeeping and maintenance to ensure property is maintained.
Hiring, motivating and training of staff.
Performs other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management.