Complex Director of Catering

Job Description Summary

We’re Sonesta International Hotels. The Complex Director of Catering at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta & Fifty Sonesta New York is a key staff position responsible for the administration, analysis, development and communication needed to service customers and develop revenues. The CDOC must be an enthusiastic, aggressive, results‑driven professional who possesses the ability and passion for guest service and booking business. The CDOC will be responsible for selling catering events within the hotel and hotel outlets, as well as servicing all meetings and catering events.

The CDOC works closely with the ADOSM and Revenue Director to achieve annual goals, budget and targets and supervises catering sales managers, Event Services Managers, trainees, and administrative staff. Additional support is provided to Group Sellers when requested. The CDOC acts as a liaison between Catering & Convention Services and all departments throughout the hotel, with strong communication and organizational skills.

The position requires the candidate to live in the New York metropolitan area and will work on site at the hotel.

• Sells 80% of time; 20% analytical, administrative.
• Responsible for achieving individual revenue goals.
• Assist ADOSM with establishing a sense of urgency with team to understand and achieve the needs of the hotel.
• Generate weekly reports of definite, tentative, and lost business.
• Generate monthly Pace reports.
• Generate leads for new business.
• Sell and service all events.
• On-site tours of hotel to prospective guests.
• Send menus, proposals, BEO’s and contracts to clients.
• Entertain new and repeat clients.
• Ensure all contracts are signed and payment received.
• Responsible for post‑event follow‑up.
• Coordinate the food and beverage needs booked by sales department.
• Communicate to all departments involved in executing events.
• Attend weekly Sales, Department Head, Catering and Food & Beverage meetings.
• Attend weekly BEO meetings.
• Direct activities of the catering sales team, providing leadership and motivation to implement effective sales and marketing strategies and maximize catering revenues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients to produce group and/or conference business, including room sales, food & beverage sales, catering/banquet services and meeting room rental.
• Manage and monitor sales activities/performance to ensure the team meets or exceeds the revenue plan and accurately reports variances/projections.
• Assist the Area Director of Sales & Marketing with the development/update of the hotel‑level business plan, including input on sales goals and plans that support overall business and sales strategies.
• Recruit, hire, train, and provide career development for all catering sales personnel; conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback using company hiring standards and guidelines.
• Follow company policies and procedures and communicate them to subordinates.
• All other duties deemed necessary by a member of management.
• Partner with marketing to create hotel‑specific collateral and promotions for catering and restaurant.
• Analyze key reports monthly for potential new business to maintain and increase share.
• Manage tentative bookings and inventory issues, ensuring timely follow‑up by Group & Catering Sales Managers and Group Services.
• Assist in the budget/marketing plan process.
• Communicate property‑specific information on new competition, market mix changes, and needs to the NY Sales Team.
• Complete monthly catering forecasting.
• Consistently offer professional, friendly, and engaging service.
• Work closely with ADOSM to increase team engagement and development in sales and/or management roles.
• Direct, train, and manage all activity related to the Catering and Convention Services office, ensuring all service standards are followed.
• Responsible for all catering, from booking to execution and conference services from the time a contract becomes definite to execution.
• Proficient in general computer knowledge and able to train and monitor the event contractual agreement process, quoting pricing, setting traces, and managing accounts.
• Prepare an annual budget…