Associate Director of Catering (Finance)

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director of Catering sets the tone for Sonesta's Culture of Caring. We expect leaders to focus on creating amazing moments for guests and team members and dig deep to find ways to create success for their team.

The Director of Catering is responsible for driving the social and corporate catering business and for managing the Catering department team members. The Associate Director of Catering is responsible for coordinating, supervising, and directing all aspects of the Catering Department and for developing and implementing strategies to meet and exceed budgeted revenues. The Director of Catering will develop new social catering business and ensure hotel retains and rebooks existing business while also acting as a liaison between clients and operating departments to ensure repeat business and the successful execution of all events.

The ideal candidate should be an excellent communicator (verbal and written) both within the hotel and with outside clientele.

Job Description

Work Environment

This position works mostly in an office environment.

Physical Demands

• Standing/sitting for extended periods of time and moving about the hotel.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Expected Hours of Work

• Ten to twelve-hour shifts are sometimes required.
• Must be flexible to work variable days of the week to include weekends and holidays.

Education and Experience

• High school degree or equivalent required. College degree preferred.
• A minimum of 7+ years of social catering sales experience in a luxury food and beverage environment with 3+ years experience managing a high-performance team.
• 1-2 years of sales or marketing-related experience required.
• Sales experience in a hotel preferred.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:

Operational/Functional:

• Lead the sales efforts, prospect, and solicit new accounts. Ensure that inquiry calls, and proposals are handled in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures.
• Achieve personal, team, and hotel catering revenue goals.
• Prepare and present effective and persuasive presentations to prospective clients.
• Negotiate, prepare, write, and submit contracts in a timely manner.
• Set the agenda of the department and assign duties to all associates to ensure flawless execution of all functions and events.
• Engage with clients and collaborate with key members of the F&B team to ensure complete guest satisfaction.
• Inspect banquet and meeting space regularly and make necessary recommendations for repairs and improvements.
• Review event sheets and BEOs. Develop revenue forecasts and make revisions and adjustments as necessary.
• Create special themes and develop attractive menus.
• Prepare and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO). Ensure all BEO paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Attend daily BEO meetings.
• Coordinate functions and activities with other department heads as appropriate and communicate the Meeting/Event planner's needs to the appropriate staff.
• Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
• Check function/Event room setups prior to client arrival, ensuring all details agree with the client's requirement and hotel standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by the appropriate personnel.
• Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients.
  • Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.

• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Strategy and Planning:

• Develop key focus areas and markets for sales solicitation/prospecting.
• Develop personal sales campaigns and promotions to generate leads, promote hotel and increase visibility.
• Produce monthly sales-related reports and sales forecasts for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of market trends, competition, and customers.
• Assist with developing annual budget and marketing plan.

Financial Management:

• Participates in the management of the department's operating budget and assist in the development of the annual capital budget.
• Achieve budgeted revenues, control labor costs and expenses.
• Manage staffing levels to ensure that guest service, operational needs, and financial objectives are met.
• Actively participate and advise in the budget and forecasting processes that support the overall objectives of the hotel.

Managing your Team:

• Interview, hire, train, and promote Catering department staff. Provide constructive and consistent feedback and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Ensure employees receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations in accordance with company policy and/or local laws.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings with staff and review all information pertinent to the day's business.
• Monitor, measure, and recognize the performance of employees. Conduct the annual performance evaluations of catering department staff.
• Coach team by providing specific feedback to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
• Ensure employees are treated fairly and equitably. Handle employee issues in a professional and timely manner.

Leading with Passion:

• Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate offices.
• Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.
• Inspire your coworkers to embrace and demonstrate Sonesta's core values and the guest service standards.

Qualifications and Skills

A candidate for this position must possess the following applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities and be able to demonstrate and provide applicable examples to support his/her competency.

• Ability to prepare signage for catering functions. Ability to create special themes and menus.
• Must have a track record of success for selling and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a high level of creativity for new ideas and service upgrades to improve our guest experience.
• Must have a strong knowledge of food and beverage products and current trends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments.
• Extensive knowledge of the hotel and hospitality industry.
• Delphi FDC experience required and Opera PMS experience a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

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

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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