Location: Farmingdale,NY, USA
Overview:The Director of Catering is responsible for leading the catering sales and execution efforts for the property, including the planning, soliciting and negotiating of catering business, developing catering plans and budgets, maximizing catering revenues, and controlling expenses. This position is a strategic business partner who helps the property achieve its goals by being a champion for inspiring achievement in the catering and conference services team. The Director must harmonize the culture, mission, values, and quality standards to ensure maximum potential is achieved. This person must create an exceptional climate of professional and personable service that ensures the engagement of employees, guests, clients, and owners.Responsibilities:Lead, direct, and manage all department operations. Maintain regular presence throughout the department. Ensure BEO s are completed and distributed to all of the necessary departments.Complete all pertinent correspondence with outside vendors to finalize programs.Meet and greet in-house guests upon arrival, review the course of events and introduce other staff members (banquet manager, captain, etc.)Monitor performance of the banquet and catering team through verification and analysis or meeting planner satisfaction, mystery shop and quality audits. Initiate corrective action in a timely manner.Solicit new and existing accounts to meet/exceed revenue goals through telephone prospecting, sales calls, site inspections, and written communication.Assist in the creation of the annual sales and marketing plan and strategies for the property.Develop goals and strategies for the department in accordance with the annual sales and marketing plan. Communicate employee role in achievement of goals and strategies while ensuring accountability.Coordinate and participate in blitzes, expositions, fairs, familiarization trips, site inspections, and other relevant activities.Work with the Director of Revenue Management to optimize revenue through all market segments.Build business/market share by developing new ways to promote company and by participating in events to increase sales and profits.Coordinate ongoing research of the industry to detect market trends and related information for development of new sales and marketing strategies. Make recommendations to improve potential from various markets.Review and develop guest history records to enhance personalized service for repeat guests.Ensure proper communication between sales and operations departments to satisfy any special group needs.Work closely with the Sales and Marketing and Revenue Management teams and the General Manager to maximize catering and guest room revenue.Partner with the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director, and Banquet Manager in the development of catering menus.Work closely with the Food and Beverage team to ensure client needs and expectations are met.Work closely with the audio/visual team to ensure client needs and expectations are met.Create department budget to include resource quantities, costs, and expenses.Prepare and execute business plans to ensure the maximization of department performance.Create and develop goals and operational strategies for the operations that are aligned with the Hard Rock brand. Communicate the role that each employee has in their achievement and ensure accountability. Monitor actual sales, revenues, and expenses to determine variance and assess goal accomplishments, and adjust strategies and forecasts accordingly.Review weekly forecasts and planning of cost expenditures to correspond to forecasted occupancy and costs.Monitor competitive set activities and adjust execution as needed.Balance staffing levels and labor to achieve ideal employee/guest engagement and cost ratio.Attract and select the best talent available from inside or outside the organization.Develop and implement strategies to retain staff.Train, coach, and counsel managers, supervisors and employees to achieve their career goals and maximize their potential.Monitor and evaluate staff performance and deliver recognition and rewards.Promote a positive work environment for all employees and ensure all employment related processes and documentation are in compliance.Conduct regular meetings with staff to communicate global programs, implement new products and procedures, and discuss areas of opportunities, special events, and other activities.Participate in and ensure Sound Checks are being conducted in department.Ensure an extraordinary experience and create loyalty to the property and Hard Rock brand by exceeding expectations through exceptional service and product quality.Resolve guest and client complaints and implement changes to prevent future issues.Monitor quality assurance program scores and guest feedback. Take corrective action when necessary.Maintain presence in property during peak business periods.Ensure all property policies and procedures are fully implemented in department, including health and safety guidelines.Maintain effective relationships with clients.Develop positive relationships within the business and social community.Promote the organization in and out of industry and at relevant trade associations.Present a professional image to employees, guests, clients, owners, and investors.Generate incremental revenue and brand awareness through the creation and implementation of brand relevant local events and promotions.Perform duties in accordance with and ensure compliance with property management agreement and other requirements and regulations.Operate ethically to protect the Hard Rock brand. Ensure brand and business initiatives are implemented. Maintain confidentiality of guest, employee, and company information. This job description reflects the position s essential functions; it does not encompass all of the tasks that may be assigned.Qualifications:EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND CERTIFICATIONS8+ years experience in hospitality management, including 3 years in a catering sales leadership role. Luxury hotel experience preferred. Degree/diploma in Hospitality Management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides knowledge, skills, and ability sufficient to successfully perform the duties of the position.SKILLSHigh energy with effective and influential people skills. Positive attitude and the desire to motivate others.Ability to prioritize and work on several projects simultaneously should pose a challenge without being overwhelming.Ability to comprehend and use technical or professional language, either written or spoken, to communicate complex ideas.Strong communication and listening skills and excellent speaking, reading, and writing ability.Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and employees of the organization.Ability to perform complex quantitative calculations or reasoning.Ability to perform numerical operations using basic counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.Strong command of software applications, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and hotel-specific platforms (MICROS Opera, Sabre/SYNXIS, Delphi, SUN, etc.).Ability to effectively deal with internal and external customers and staff, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy.Fluency in English: additional languages preferred.PHYSICAL DEMANDSAbility to move throughout the business (standing, walking, kneeling, bending) for extended periods of time.Ability to sit for extended periods of time.Ability to make repeating movements of the arms, hands, and wrists.Ability to express or exchange ideas verbally and perceive sound by ear.Ability to obtain impressions through the eyes.Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ability to work with hand above shoulders.Ability to occasionally move objects (lift, push, pull, balance, carry) up to 10 pounds / 5 kilograms.Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, cold, chemicals, and loud/noisy environment.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSDeep understanding of lifestyle hotels and premium dining products and services.Passion for music and knowledge of music trends preferred.Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong organizational skillsAbility to travel occasionally.Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.Hard Rock complies with the City s Workplace Vaccination requirements.