Convention Services Manager / Catering Manager (Finance)

Job Description Summary

The ideal candidate will work closely with the Sales, Reservations, Banquets, and Culinary departments to administer all logistical aspects of group contracts and Catering contracts. The person is responsible for managing all client or event needs from beginning to end, including but not limited to guestroom accommodations, amenities, VIPs, rooming list, arrival/departure patterns, processing payment methods, vendors, organization of shipment, transportation, on/off-site activities, menu specifications, all F&B needs, AV requirements, Forecasting Food & Beverage revenues, etc., and any additional tasks as deemed necessary by the Director of Conference Services.

The principal role of this position is to build business relationships and maximize incoming revenues (Food, Beverage, Audiovisual, and Room Rental) from definite group contracts. Creating event experiences that facilitate rebooking future events is a primary goal of the position. Markets served will include Corporate, Association, Government, and Other segments as assigned by the Director of Conference Services. The candidate will be the primary liaison with the hotel operations team and provide consistent feedback to key departments to ensure client success.

Job Description
Special Qualifications, Education or Licenses:

• High school diploma or equivalent vocational training certificate.
• 3-5 years' experience in a similar position in an upscale Luxury Hotel.
• Ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing.
• Compute basic arithmetic to include percentages.
• Knowledge of various food service styles.
• Familiarity with sales and marketing in a hotel environment
• Ability to speak to groups of people.
• Understand viticulture and be able to recommend wines.
• Understand liquors.
• Understand Culinary terms for menus.
• Be able to sustain direct contact with public; must establish high degree of customer service (smile, eye contact, positive personal presentation, etc.) and high volume of interaction with guests and staff.
• Learn and master computer programs such as Delphi and Social Tables.

• College degree (preferred).
• Knowledge in a second language helpful (Spanish preferred).
• Certification in CPR.
• Previous guest relations training and experience.

• Previous experience in Catering and Food Service.

Special Qualifications, Education or Licenses (cont'd):

• Ability to suggestively sell.
• Creative talent.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Delphi background a plus.

Essential Elements:

• Exert physical effort in transporting up to 30 pounds to and from work area.
• Reach overhead full arm's length.
• Remain in stationary position for 2-3 hours throughout work shift.
• Ability to move freely within whole hotel area.
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time.

Job Tasks:

• Meet and/or achieve budgeted banquet food & beverage goals
• Accurately forecast Food & Beverage revenue from groups
• Maintains relationships with past local business to promote and establish convention business.
• Meets with potential clients in order to detail definite events.
• Maintains all correspondence related to group clients: group pick up reports, Banquet event orders, ensure proper billing to guest folios and master account.
• Ensures that all BEO's and paperwork has been completed properly.
• Responsible for arranging all food & beverage details for functions assigned.
• Works with clients to prepare menus and floor plans and assists them in other needs
• Coordinates the preparation, presentation, and service of food and beverage products of functions to ensure highest quality at all times
• Monitor the performance of the events through verifications and analysis of customer satisfaction systems.
• Reviews with all Managers any information of past, present and upcoming events.
• Coordinates functions and activities with other department heads as appropriate.
• Familiar with group rooms management software (Passkey)
• Manages multiple clients simultaneously
• Adheres to all Sonesta Hotel Safety and Sanitation Guidelines.
• The employee is expected to work in other areas of the hotel when needed to assist operations to perform job duties not necessarily contained in this job description.
• Perform job functions with attention to detail, speed and accuracy.
• Work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality of guest and associates information and pertinent hotel data.
• Work well under pressure of organizing and attaining production schedules and timelines.

• Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental, divisional, and hotel policies, procedures, and standards.
• Read and understand diagrams.
• Be familiar with all Hotel services/features and local attractions/activities to respond to guest inquiries accurately.
• Review the daily activities, such as:
  • House count
  • Catering activity
  • Purchases
  • Meetings
  • Appointments
  • VIPs/special guests

• Suggestively sell menus that meet the client's needs and maximize revenues.
• Where appropriate, entertain clients in the hotel outlets to sell the hotel facilities. Make reservations at non-peak times in order to allow the outlet to provide the best service.
• Adhere to all Accounting policies regarding payment.
• Attend scheduled Sales, Catering, Food and Beverage, departmental, credit and any other meetings as requested by the Director or Assistant Director of Catering and to fill in for the department head when needed.
• Attend daily function meetings to review group needs.
• Any other duties reasonably assigned by the Director of Conference Services

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.