Sonesta Hotels
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Director of Sales and Marketing, the Director of Catering oversees the functions of Catering and Conference Services. The position ensures implementation of Sonesta’s service strategy and initiatives.
The role has overall responsibility for executing all property events with a seamless turnover from Catering to operations and back to Catering. It ensures the team meets Sonesta’s customer needs, achieves employee satisfaction, focuses on growing event revenues, and maximizes the financial performance of the department. DOC is responsible for client outreach and education, including entertaining and in‑house site visits with new prospects and existing clients.
Job Description Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:
Professionally represent the hotel in community and strategic networking events.
Participate as a team player with other Senior Level Directors.
Provide constructive feedback to all departments and to the hotel catering/conference service team.
Actively participate in DBR, BEO, and resume meetings.
Responsible for monthly, quarterly and annual banquet and catering forecasting.
Ensure that function bookings, catering and group resumes, amenity forms, and banquet event orders are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently.
Ensure meeting and function rooms are properly maintained at all times, liaising with food and beverage outlets regarding reservations and flow of clients.
Be the champion for proper usage of Delphi to ensure data and reports may be extracted. Lead and support the catering/CS team to ensure Delphi standards are current and accurate.
Be a leader and role model to all employees.
Additional duties as necessary and assigned.
Job Responsibilities
Assist with the entire catering and conference services team; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies which may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Establish a sense of urgency with the team to understand and achieve the needs of the hotel.
Operational / Functional
Work with General Manager, Director of Finance, DOSM, Executive Chef and Sales/Catering/CS team to develop and execute revenue management strategies to maximize space usage while driving higher average checks.
Work closely with the Catering/CS team to ensure financial accuracy with forecasting.
Consistently review monthly budget and team production to goal.
Ensure that the catering team is properly deployed, is working the correct market segments, and participates in strategic networking activities.
Work with culinary team to ensure pricing of catering menus is consistent with competitive set.
Review and respond to results of Meeting Metrix Survey.
Responsible for Banquets and Catering revenue.
Financial responsibilities also include compensation and the processing of sales incentive payments.
Strategy and Planning
Work with DOSM to develop and execute catering strategies presented in the strategic sales plan, implementation and administration of the Catering/CS budget, and the establishment of annual seller goals.
Regularly analyze industry intelligence reports (Property forecasting tools, Knowland, etc.); pull and analyze appropriate data to develop and recommend appropriate actions.
Develop and approve catering and CS team annual goals, and review and revise the goals as needed mid‑year.
Directly work with the DOSM team to develop strategies for public relations, advertising, marketing/sales providers with responsibility for promoting food and beverage efforts of the hotel.
Develop and execute KPI’s against existing and new target accounts to achieve and exceed sales quotas within the assigned segment.
Financial Management
Drive Top Line Revenue.
Work closely with the catering team towards achievement of aggressive both quarterly and annual goals for production and consumption.
Encourage calculated risk‑taking to generate incremental revenue and deliver excellent guest service.
Work closely with conference services team towards achievement of food and beverage goals.
Possess financial acumen.
Reporting and analytics.
Have knowledge of hospitality systems.
Research and analyze new products, pricing and services of competition.
Work directly with major groups when high profile and financial impact will be significant.
Develop working relationships with outside vendors and establish prices and service agreements to enhance the event experience and to increase additional revenue opportunities for the property.
Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Managing Your Team
Recruit, supervise, train and motivate multiple levels of managers.
Ensure team members receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations and in accordance with company policy and/or local laws.
Monitor, measure, and recognize performance management of team members who directly report to the role and indirect reports.
Support, comply and promote company initiatives, policies and guidelines.
Handle employee issues in a professional, thoughtful and timely manner.
Work with direct reports to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges or conflicts.
Leading with Passion
Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments; be capable of influencing peer group to perform to their highest standard and establishing a trusting environment to enrich the culture.
Focus on the mission and well‑being of the department, hotel, and company as a whole.
Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.
Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate our values and GUEST People Standards.
Ensure the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations.
Set expectations and hold catering/CS management team accountable for desired service behaviors related to product and service delivery.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration, Business Administration or related field experience preferred.
5+ years of previous Director level hotel sales experience preferred.
Successful track record of direct catering sales and new business development.
Successful track record with creating and maintaining loyal client partnerships.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organization skills.
Demonstrated business and financial acumen.
Appropriate professional appearance and demeanor.
Ability to deliver presentations in a concise, well‑organized manner.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Demonstrates knowledge of job‑related processes and systems (e.g., IT systems specific to sales including Delphi, Meeting Broker and technologies or distribution channels used to source group business such as The Knot, Starcite, Cvent).
Benefits
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
Pay Range $100,000 to $120,000/year. Pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills and job‑specific experience/overall experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement 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.
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The role has overall responsibility for executing all property events with a seamless turnover from Catering to operations and back to Catering. It ensures the team meets Sonesta’s customer needs, achieves employee satisfaction, focuses on growing event revenues, and maximizes the financial performance of the department. DOC is responsible for client outreach and education, including entertaining and in‑house site visits with new prospects and existing clients.
Job Description Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:
Professionally represent the hotel in community and strategic networking events.
Participate as a team player with other Senior Level Directors.
Provide constructive feedback to all departments and to the hotel catering/conference service team.
Actively participate in DBR, BEO, and resume meetings.
Responsible for monthly, quarterly and annual banquet and catering forecasting.
Ensure that function bookings, catering and group resumes, amenity forms, and banquet event orders are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently.
Ensure meeting and function rooms are properly maintained at all times, liaising with food and beverage outlets regarding reservations and flow of clients.
Be the champion for proper usage of Delphi to ensure data and reports may be extracted. Lead and support the catering/CS team to ensure Delphi standards are current and accurate.
Be a leader and role model to all employees.
Additional duties as necessary and assigned.
Job Responsibilities
Assist with the entire catering and conference services team; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies which may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Establish a sense of urgency with the team to understand and achieve the needs of the hotel.
Operational / Functional
Work with General Manager, Director of Finance, DOSM, Executive Chef and Sales/Catering/CS team to develop and execute revenue management strategies to maximize space usage while driving higher average checks.
Work closely with the Catering/CS team to ensure financial accuracy with forecasting.
Consistently review monthly budget and team production to goal.
Ensure that the catering team is properly deployed, is working the correct market segments, and participates in strategic networking activities.
Work with culinary team to ensure pricing of catering menus is consistent with competitive set.
Review and respond to results of Meeting Metrix Survey.
Responsible for Banquets and Catering revenue.
Financial responsibilities also include compensation and the processing of sales incentive payments.
Strategy and Planning
Work with DOSM to develop and execute catering strategies presented in the strategic sales plan, implementation and administration of the Catering/CS budget, and the establishment of annual seller goals.
Regularly analyze industry intelligence reports (Property forecasting tools, Knowland, etc.); pull and analyze appropriate data to develop and recommend appropriate actions.
Develop and approve catering and CS team annual goals, and review and revise the goals as needed mid‑year.
Directly work with the DOSM team to develop strategies for public relations, advertising, marketing/sales providers with responsibility for promoting food and beverage efforts of the hotel.
Develop and execute KPI’s against existing and new target accounts to achieve and exceed sales quotas within the assigned segment.
Financial Management
Drive Top Line Revenue.
Work closely with the catering team towards achievement of aggressive both quarterly and annual goals for production and consumption.
Encourage calculated risk‑taking to generate incremental revenue and deliver excellent guest service.
Work closely with conference services team towards achievement of food and beverage goals.
Possess financial acumen.
Reporting and analytics.
Have knowledge of hospitality systems.
Research and analyze new products, pricing and services of competition.
Work directly with major groups when high profile and financial impact will be significant.
Develop working relationships with outside vendors and establish prices and service agreements to enhance the event experience and to increase additional revenue opportunities for the property.
Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Managing Your Team
Recruit, supervise, train and motivate multiple levels of managers.
Ensure team members receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations and in accordance with company policy and/or local laws.
Monitor, measure, and recognize performance management of team members who directly report to the role and indirect reports.
Support, comply and promote company initiatives, policies and guidelines.
Handle employee issues in a professional, thoughtful and timely manner.
Work with direct reports to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges or conflicts.
Leading with Passion
Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments; be capable of influencing peer group to perform to their highest standard and establishing a trusting environment to enrich the culture.
Focus on the mission and well‑being of the department, hotel, and company as a whole.
Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.
Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate our values and GUEST People Standards.
Ensure the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations.
Set expectations and hold catering/CS management team accountable for desired service behaviors related to product and service delivery.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration, Business Administration or related field experience preferred.
5+ years of previous Director level hotel sales experience preferred.
Successful track record of direct catering sales and new business development.
Successful track record with creating and maintaining loyal client partnerships.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organization skills.
Demonstrated business and financial acumen.
Appropriate professional appearance and demeanor.
Ability to deliver presentations in a concise, well‑organized manner.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Demonstrates knowledge of job‑related processes and systems (e.g., IT systems specific to sales including Delphi, Meeting Broker and technologies or distribution channels used to source group business such as The Knot, Starcite, Cvent).
Benefits
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
Pay Range $100,000 to $120,000/year. Pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills and job‑specific experience/overall experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement 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.
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