Director of Events - Now Hiring

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.

Overview:

The Director of  Events is responsible for directing, coordinating, training and supervising the Conference Services (Operations) Managers and Catering Sales Manager(s).  He/she is also responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing assigned group business after it is turned over by the sales department, throughout and through the closure of the event and subsequent financial aspects of the program, while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels. He/she is expected to market ideas to promote business; reduce employee turnover; maintain revenue and payroll budgets; and meet budgeted productivity while keeping quality consistently high.  The Director of  Events is also responsible for acting as a liaison between client and operating departments to ensure a successful meeting and to generate repeat business.

Responsibilities:

• Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.
• Respond to requests by Meeting Planners
• Liaise with other department to anticipate event and equipment needs through regular BEO meetings, group resumes meetings, and ongoing
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event set-up.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Create, review and revise rooming lists and VIP lists.
• Manage the Sales Inventory management system and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during
• Respond to guest complaints in a timely
• Keep immediate manager fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her
• Work with F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely
• Know meeting room set-ups and capabilities.
• Know sleeping room configurations and types.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audiovisual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One to One Customer Service Training, )
• Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Catering Sales Managers.
• Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and
• Coordinate all aspects of the ongoing implementation of the Highgate Hotel Enrichment philosophy of
• Ensure participation within department for monthly Highgate Hotel team
• Focus team on their role in contributing to the Guest Service and audit scores
• Conduct meetings according to Highgate Hotel standards as required by
• Assist DOSM with the generation and analysis of various reports through Envision, PAW (Planning & Analysis Website), and any additional tools utilized.
• Team leader as necessary in the absence of DOSM. Will lead Stand up, DBR, Sales, and other meetings as identified by DOSM.
• Coordinate communication and action items with any and all hotel partners including outside vendors, Cescaphe, Sentral, Sporting Club, Retail Tenants etc.

3rd Party & Vendor Management

• Ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of the physical property through inspections and preventive maintenance programs with third party vendors.
• Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers and employees of vendors.
• Interact with outside planners and vendors for event setups.
• Develop service standards for vendors to ensure all policies align with Highgate SOPs.
• Create a positive team-oriented environment which focuses on the guest, through employee development and motivation.
• Ensure implementation of all Highgate Hotel policies and house rules.  Understand hospitality terms.
• Conduct weekly staff meetings, including weekly training sessions presented by managers and self-using the steps to effective training according to Highgate Hotel standards, and the review of previous and future sales and operations efforts.
• Develop selling guidelines to ensure market alignment on pricing and guest expectations.

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 2-year college degree and at least 3 years of related experience.
• Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Must have knowledge of F&B preparation techniques, health department rules and regulations, liquor laws and regulations.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.