An inspiring career awaits you! 
 
The Kessler Collection is a portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, unique restaurants and experiences with a Bohemian twist. The collection's captivating hotels feature curated art, original music, unique architecture and stories around every corner, all located in destinations people want to be. Our mission of inspiring places, intuitive service, and exuberant guests means we are committed to our Grand Performers learning, development, and well-being. We believe people want to be inspired!

Grand Performers may enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Marriott Employee Discounts Worldwide
• Competitive Wage & Discretionary Bonus Program
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company-Sponsored Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• 401(K) with Discretionary Company Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary

The overall objective and purpose of the Director of Catering position are to coordinate, supervise, manage and direct all aspects of the Catering Sales Department in accordance with Hotel standards.

Standards & Culture

Individuals must serve as a cultural ambassador by upholding and promoting our standards.

• Image & Presence: Our team is sophisticated and purposeful in their communication and body language.
• Service: Intuitive. Our team inspires the guest (and Grand Performer) experience with warmth and deliberate elegance.
• Performance: Extraordinary. Our team rises to outperform and consistently be at our best for even better.

Core Responsibilities 

Primary areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to the full

• Monitor the Revenue pace of Catering Sales and lead the teams to sell into those periods that require an increased pace.
• Work cooperatively between Revenue Management, PR, and Marketing to establish strategic goals for attaining budgets.
• Direct, organize and supervise departmental activities including, but not limited to, telemarketing, prospecting and qualifying potential leads, soliciting viable leads, and preparing and presenting written proposals/contracts and oral presentations.
• Direct and develop grand performer's job performance to include, but not limited to, providing supervision and professional development, scheduling, coaching and counseling, timely evaluations, improving performance, and delivering recognition and reward.
• Recruit, interview, and train grand performers.
• Assist in compiling catering forecasts, collecting and reporting sales data and manage the department budget.
• Oversee the optimization and use of the many Sales systems offered via the Collection and Brand.
• Develop and target lists and action plans for account solicitation, assist in assignment and distribution of leads and inquiries and assist in the approval of file turnovers.
• Conduct property tours showcasing all hotel services available; entertain customers on the property during site inspections, program operation when appropriate.
• Complete required site forms to alert the hotel of site tours in advance.
• Direct maintenance of catering files, accounts, and additional administrative duties.
• Participate in leadership meetings, weekly Operations, Group resumes, and daily EO meetings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with competitive sets and actively participate in community organizations and professional associations to maintain visibility and market share.
• Excellent knowledge of the hotel's surroundings including the history, culture, and points of interest.
• Follow up on grand performers' outstanding proposals and contracts to effectively close business.
• Process definite contracts and route information appropriately to the Event Services Manager and the Controller using the turnover process.
• Analyze competition, market trends and customer needs to continually assess the productivity against established goals and budgets.
• Analyze historical, current, and future hotel performance to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet/exceed catering goals and catering budget.
• Maximize revenue by assisting catering grand performers in selling all facets of the hotel to include restaurant, spa, gallery, and outlets.
• Manage the execution of account details so all pertinent aspects of solicitation and closing are complete and documented in the required sales and catering system.
• Track monthly production towards quarterly catering goals set forth by management using required documentation.
• Competently utilizes the required systems/equipment and platforms to effectively evaluate availability, profitability and track the progress of groups from proposal through execution.
• Maintain accurate, organized, and up-to-date files including computer filing and sales platform records (attachments, traces, activities, etc.).
• Participate in monthly Playbook meetings to develop promotions and collateral to assist with selling the properties.
• Effectively use Kessler branded collateral throughout the department sales process.
• Conduct monthly department meetings to review catering pace, systems reports, and company/department updates.
• Actively participate in all sales/operational meetings to include National Sales Organization collaboration.
• Develop and maintain a working relationship with national franchised brands.
• Knowledge of all Kessler Collection hotels to effectively cross-sell.
• Complete required reporting and documentation.
• Use logic, integrity, and sound judgment when making business decisions by considering the big picture, operational needs, and impact on other departments.
• Conduct monthly one on one's with grand performers to provide support, leadership, and direction.
• Perform other duties assigned to meet business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

To perform this role successfully, an individual must have experience achieving desired result(s) in their areas of responsibility. The requirements listed below are representative of observable behaviors and essential knowledge, skill, and abilities required of a successful incumbent.

• Strategic business leader - Works strategically to devise plans in alignment with organizational goals.
• Cultivates engagement - Builds loyalty to the company and not to themselves. Proven ability to host/facilitate effective meetings, motivate teams to produce results with tight timeframes while simultaneously managing several projects.
• Generates alignment - Ensures proper time and effort is spent to build high-level performance and consistency throughout collection.
• Leads with courage - Provides a culture of accountability.
• Execution of plans - Utilizes our systems, tools, and resources to accomplish results and achieve goals
• Advanced level of written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments
• Ability to work well in stressful, high-pressure situations
• Knowledge of CI/TY or Delphi, including merging menus, blocking function space, and creating Event Orders. 
• Knowledge of staffing guidelines/requirements to set up, turn, and break down function spaces.  
• Knowledgeable of revenue forecasting and variance preparation.
• Knowledgeable of Top Accounts for the Hotel.
• Ability to create, implement and analyze manual and automated reports.
• Knowledge of food and beverage operations.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Response well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings

Minimum Qualifications

Education, License, Certifications, Experience

• Bachelor’s degree - required
• 4+ years of relevant work experience in similar scope and title – required
• Experience within luxury brand/markets – preferred
• Previous event planning experience – preferred
• Knowledgeable of Top-Accounts for the Hotel - preferred
• Valid Driver’s License – required

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Supervisory and leadership responsibilities include achieving results through providing direction and accountability of the following Grand Performers within the culture and policies established by the Kessler Collection. 

• Catering Sales Manager

Work Environment 

The work environment/conditions described herein are representative of those that an incumbent may experience.

• Must be comfortable working in a shared space, with constant noise, without the use of a private office.
• Must be able to cope with frequent changing priorities and deadlines with a high degree of optimism, professionalism & collaboration.
• Schedules may vary from week to week based on business demands in excess of 40 hours with or without notice.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions & physical demands of this role.

• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to move 10lbs on a daily basis.
• Push, pull, and lift up to 50lbs on a weekly basis.
• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to travel by foot, car, bus,  airplane, or other means of transportation which require sitting, waiting, and standing for long and short periods of time. 

The Kessler Collection is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics