Director of Catering and Convention Services Requisition ID 2024-60406 Category Catering and Convention Services Job Location US-FL-St Pete Beach Property TradeWinds Island Resort Compensation Type Yearly Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition.  Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Location

 

Discover more sun and more fun! Escape to a tropical beachfront paradise complete with everything you need for the perfect getaway, including delicious dining, beachfront bars, relaxing comforts, and endless activities. Here you’ll stay at one, play at two — with two connecting resorts right on the soft white sands of St. Pete Beach. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a romantic retreat, a group getaway, or anything in between, it’s all here at TradeWinds Island Resorts. https://www.tradewindsresort.com/careers

Overview

Follow your passion all the way to paradise at TradeWinds Resort, a Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace for seven years in a row! TradeWinds features two destination resorts just 200 flip flops from one another along the gorgeous Gulf Coast on St. Pete Beach.

 

Responsible for the management of all aspects of the Catering & Conference Services department in accordance with resort standards. Coordinates all aspects of clients’ program including rooms and F&B and maintains budgeted revenues through solicitation of business while controlling expenditures.  This role is pivotal in driving our catering sales strategy, managing social and wedding events, and ensuring financial success through meticulous forecasting and budgeting. 

Responsibilities Liase daily with Catering & Conferences Services staff to review status of business, schedules, priority assignments, bookings, and all information pertinent to the department operation.Direct and monitor the performance of Catering & Conferences Services staff, ensuring that all procedures are followed.; correct any deficiencies with respective personnel.Review the Captain's reports/logbook for previous day functions; follow up any problems noted and file.Review Banquet sales for the previous day; resolve discrepancies with accounting; track revenue against budget.Review Banquet checks for the previous day's functions; ensure accuracy of charges and presence of guest signature; resolve discrepancies.Establish a departmental manual identifying all policies relevant to booking functions with respective charges.Ensure that Catering & Conferences Services staff are knowledgeable of such:Rooming lists proceduresGroup Resume processGroup Pre-cons and Post-consFunction room capacities and various set upsBlocking space (definite/tentative)Ensure that Catering & Conferences Services staff are familiar with Banquet service standards to better sell the facilities.Review Catering & Conferences Services staff's request to block space to ensure that appropriate space is blocked to accommodate the group's requirements and to maximize labor costs; resolve any discrepancies.Establish and monitor the file and trace system.Assign specific files and sales objectives to Catering & Conferences Services personnel.Establish standardized form letters for use by all Catering & Conferences Services staff as response to inquiries, tentative/ definite bookings, thank you, cancellations, and re-bookings.Ensure appropriate letters are sent and filed.Monitor and mentor, the catering sales team in a positive way.The catering sales team to be set on S.M.A.R.T plans to include plans for regular scheduled outside sales calls, client on-site entertainment, wedding planners’ on-site events etc.Actively solicit and book new business through orchestrated prospect calling.Set strategic plans with the catering managers to find new customers through vendor relationships.Meet with clients to work out the details of their functions.Escort clients through the property and highlight features of facility as well as available services.Suggestively sell menus, which meet the client's needs and maximize revenues.Liase with the Executive Chef to plan special requests for clients and special event menus; arrange introductions between the client and Chef.Ensure that all definite functions are detailed accurately on Banquet Event Orders, signed by clients, and distributed to designated departments on a timely basis; resolve any discrepancies with respective Catering & Conferences Services staff.Review estimated guarantees and ensure that firm guarantees are obtained 3 business days prior to scheduled function; ensure that the overset figure complies with established standards.Monitor the preparation and distribution of the Daily Event Sheet; ensure that all information is complete and accurate and distributed on a timely basis.Monitor changes to Banquet Event Orders; ensure that accurate information is communicated to respective departments on a timely basis to best service the client; resolve discrepancies with catering staff.Monitor the preparation and distribution of the Weekly Event Sheet; resolve any incomplete information or problems with respective Catering & Conferences Services staff prior to the distribution of the sheet.Identify groups which do not have scheduled functions and communicate with outlets to help them anticipate expected business levels.Prepare and distribute the weekly Catering forecast identifying covers and sales by meal period.Ensure that a Banquet check is typed for each function one day prior to scheduled event and given to the Banquet department.Monitor the accurate record of each check issued and ensure the security of all unused checks.Ensure that door cards are typed for each scheduled function and properly posted.Prepare and distribute amenity request forms for specified clients; obtain designated approvals and follow up on delivery.Check function room set-ups prior to guest arrival, ensuring all details agree with client's requirements and hotel standards; ensure respective personnel correct deficiencies.Meet with the Chef prior to function time to verify arrangements and to observe the quality of the food presentation.Assist in plate up of meals as requested; ensure that standards are met.Welcome group contact upon arrival at function and ensure guest satisfaction.Check that functions are properly staffed to provide the required standard of service; ensure that staff are well groomed; resolve any deficiencies with the Banquet Manager and/or Supervisor on duty.Assist in supervising the service of functions, ensuring guest satisfaction.Monitor, handle and process all billing/payment procedures according to accounting standards.Monitor guest reactions and confer with service staff to ensure guest satisfaction.Anticipate guests' needs, respond promptly, and acknowledge all guests, however busy and whatever time of day.Always promote positive guest relations.Be familiar with all hotel services/features and local attractions/activities to respond accurately to any guest inquiry.Monitor and handle guest complaints by following the six step procedures and ensuring guest satisfaction.Contact clients after scheduled functions to ensure guest satisfaction and to solicit rebooking.Conduct weekly B.E.O. review meetings; resolve any discrepancies.Conduct ongoing training with existing staff.Provide feedback to Catering & Conferences Services staff on their performance; handle disciplinary problems and counsel employees according to hotel standards.Foster and promote a cooperative working climate, maximizing productivity and employee morale.Prepare weekly work schedules in accordance with staffing guidelines and labor forecasts; adjust schedules throughout the shift to meet the business demands.Ensure that Catering & Conferences Services staff report to work as scheduled, document any late or absent employees.Prepare and submit daily/weekly payroll records.Prepare and present weekly forecast with accuracy.Conduct function book review as scheduled with the Director of Sales; agree the potential dates, which pose a negative impact on the available function space; confirm release dates for "hold all space"; ensure that Catering & Conferences Services staff comply with restricted dates;resolve discrepancies.Prepare and distribute the monthly booking report according to procedures; compare actual to forecast.Monitor, maintain and distribute a monthly Lost Business Report following hotel standards; ensure appropriate pieces of lost business are traced for future solicitation.Prepare and distribute an annual catering-marketing plan in accordance with hotel specifications; assign monthly action steps to Catering & Conferences Services staff and follow up on each; adjust and update the marketing plan each quarter.All other duties as required. Qualifications Experience: Minimum two years’ experience as a Catering & Conferences Services Director with a preference in a luxury hotel/resort.Must have proven selling, negotiating and presentation skills.General Skills: Must be able to perform job functions with attention to detail, speed, and accuracy; prioritize, organize and follow-up; be a clear thinker, remaining calm and resolving problems using good judgment; follow directions thoroughly; understand a guest’s service needs; work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team; work with minimal supervision; maintain confidentiality of guest information and pertinent hotel data.Must have the ability to delegate, effectively train and coach a team with diverse talents.Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays. Highgate Hotels, L.P. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains the policy of recruiting and retaining the best-qualified personnel who demonstrate the ability to perform competently and work well with others. It is the policy of Highgate Hotels to provide equal employment opportunity regardless of race (including traits historically or culturally associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion (including religious dress and religious grooming), color, age (40 and over), genetic information, disability (mental and physical), medical condition (as defined under state law), national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license issued under section 12801.9 of the California Vehicle Code), ancestry, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression), sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, parental status, domestic partner status, citizenship status, pregnancy (including perceived pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or pregnancy-related conditions), military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy of nondiscrimination is applied to all aspects of the employment relationship. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws in ensuring equal opportunity and employment for qualified persons with disabilities. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

The following link provides more information regarding the Federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment: EEO is the Law – Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.