Assistant Director of Catering and Conference Services

Assist with implementation of catering sales and marketing strategies, including securing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and executing tactical plans to maximize the profitability of the hotel while maintaining customer satisfaction and servicing VIP clients. Serves as Catering/Convention Services Director in his/her absence.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Assist in the management of day-to-day operations and assignments of Catering staff, plan and organize work, communicate goals, and schedule/assign work. Advise staff of formal policies and procedures, identifying options and resolving issues. Alert management of potentially serious issues.Ensure all staff is properly trained and have the tools and information needed to effectively carry out their job functions.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 sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals. Assist the Director of Catering/Convention Services in daily management tasks such as complete forecasts and sales production reports checklists, menu planning, and other duties and special projects as assigned. 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 events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services and approved method of payment. Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner. Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction.Coordinate with other hotel-level departments to facilitate contracted services.Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meeting with clients, guests, and catering staff as needed.Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include Sales Staff, Executive Chef, Banquet Manager and/or convention services staff, and hotel Executive Committee.Interact with outside contacts:Guests - to ensure their total satisfactionRegulatory agencies - regarding safety and compliance mattersVendors - to arrange services Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups) Perform other duties as assigned.ACCOUNTABILITY: This job is second in command for Catering/Conference Services.Qualifications and Requirements:Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality with focus in sales and marketing, or related field or equivalent, and a minimum of 15 years experience in a catering setting or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Direct supervisory experience over a sales/catering/convention services team preferred. Must speak fluent English. Other languages preferred.This job requires ability to perform the following:Frequently standing up or moving within & outside of the facilityCarrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 poundsHandling objectsBending, stooping, kneelingOther:Communication skills are utilized a significant amount of time when interacting with others; demonstrated ability to interact with guests, employees and third parties that reflects highly on the hotel, the brand and the Company.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. Hospitality