Director of Catering and Convention Services

Sonesta International Hotels

An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities. Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect.

Together We Thrive
—bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting.

Develop and implement the total sales and marketing strategies of the catering department, including securing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and executing sales and marketing tactical plans to maximize the profitability of the hotel while maintaining guest satisfaction. Oversee all functions of the Conference/Conventions Services Department. Ensure that all conferences, meetings and group activities are coordinated and managed within client expectations.

Upsell client events and manage function space and room block inventory to maximize hotel profit. Ensure hotel and client fulfill group contract commitments.

Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:

• Operational/Functional: Direct the day-to-day activities of the catering and conference services team. Advise staff of formal policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients in support of food & beverage sales, and catering/banquet services.
• Establish client base of organizations, associations and commercial business through direct outside sales efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel. Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
• Identify operational problems that impact the effectiveness of overall catering sales performance and work closely with appropriate departments on solutions.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients in accordance with company and property policy.
• Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc. Arrange all details of conventions and or catering events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services, and approved method of payment.

Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include Executive Chef, other sales staff, Banquet Department and/or convention services staff, and other hotel Executive Committee members. Interact with outside contacts:

• Guests – to ensure their total satisfaction
• Vendors – to arrange services
• Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups)

Schedule conventions and business group activities and coordinate with other hotel-level departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients. Monitor and ensure all functions are set-up, refreshed and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and department procedures. Perform other duties as assigned. May serve as manager on duty when required.

Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines. Work closely with Executive Chef on menu design and concepts pricing for catering events. Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meetings with clients and catering staff.

Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the hotel. Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner. Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction. Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals. Complete forecasts, plans, and sales production reports.

• Attract and retain the best talent
• Develop and motivate a catering team that is responsible for developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and implementing catering strategies to achieve catering revenue…