Area Director of Catering and Conference Services

• Achieve department’s budgeted revenues and personal sales goals.
• Ensure that both you and your sales team consistently exceed booking goals
• Conduct regular one-on-ones with Catering Sales Managers to review sales funnels, prospects, tentatives, lost business, conversion of business, and proactive plan traction
• Conduct regular one-on-ones with the Conference Services team ensuring hotel communications on each event is clear and concise
• Must be proficient in event contractual agreements, quoting pricing, setting traces, and the management of accounts
• Responsible for monitoring, measuring, and recognizing performance of team members who directly report to the role
• Recruit, hire and train to fill open catering department positions
• Implement and train on existing policies and procedures and develop new processes as needs rise
• Ensure that function bookings, group resumes, and event contracts are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently
• Work closely with appropriate departments to enhance service delivery and to overcome operational challenges
• Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner. Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction
• With direction and guidance from the Area Director of Sales and Marketing and Market Director of Revenue, develop banquet menu pricing, rental fees and revenue minimums, using current competitive data
• Working with the Area Director of Sales ensure proper utilization of function space to yield maximum revenues.
• Assist Area Director of Sales and Marketing in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans.
• Establish monthly forecasting of banquets and catering revenues
• Own / manage audio vision and third-party vendor relationships
• Support, comply and promote company initiative, policies and guidelines.
• Handle employee issues in a professional and timely manner
• Act as a “floater” servicing leader when & where necessary.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients in accordance with company and property policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university; and a minimum of three years of catering and/or convention services leadership experience
• Experience managing a catering sales team and / or multi-unit operation is a plus
• Ability to analyze reports and develop and implement strategies to improve outcomes
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages
• Ability to speak effectively to groups including customers and employees
• Proficient in Delphi FDC, including system setup, menu and items, BEOS and Banquet Checks
• Must speak fluent English
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Excellent organization skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• May require a valid Driver’s License.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

• Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 15 pounds without assistance
• Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening, and hearing ability and visual acuity
• Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period or for an entire work shift
• Reach overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping
• Must be flexible to work variable days of the week to include weekends and holidays

• 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

Sonesta