Director of Catering and Events - Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead

Location

Waldorf, MD | United States

Job description

Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is looking for a  Director of Catering and Events to join the team! This position reports to the Director of Sales & Marketing. Excellent Compensation package, along with UNCAPPED bonus potential with quarterly bonus structure and option to work remote 2-days per week.

Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is in the prestigious Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, next to Luxury retailers, high performing finance and banking institutions along with 17 Fortune 500 companies located thought Atlanta.  Atlanta is also home to the fastest growing film industry in the nation! 

What will I be doing?

As Director of Catering and Events you will provide continuous leadership in creating and delivering an exceptional team member experience and best place to work. The Director of Catering & Events will be directly responsible for contributing to the achievement of superior business results in the areas of ensuring outstanding guest service, team member engagement, favorable financial outcomes, strategic leadership and talent development, culture, innovation, and event operations.   

Specifically, your essential functions will be to perform the following tasks to the highest standards:

• Help establish and maintain the hotel’s marketplace position as the city’s most elite venue within social and corporate communities.
• Ensure all site inspections and client visits to the hotel are successful by planning carefully and communicating accurate details in advance to all departments.
• Provides oversight, training, and direction to catering managers and support staff.
• Responsible to solicit and book Food & Beverage business through solicitation, leads, knowing the competition & handling assigned inquiry calls & walk ins to meet revenue goals and maintain productivity of department.
• Food & Beverage reports on events, prepare annual budget and F &B forecast for the following month, document solicitation calls, and produce trace sheets.
• Interacts with hotel staff to communicate client needs (i.e., Special menus, floor set up, AV).
• Handle all meetings and supervision and direction to the staff.
• Attends all Catering functions and introduces client to Banquet Manager.
• As part of the Catering department to proactively achieve consistently high post-event scores and guest reviews
• Generates Banquet Event Orders, Group Resumes, Business correspondence, and function room diagrams. 
• Responsible for servicing catering events and assist with in house events as assigned by the Director of Sales and Marketing.
• Assist with coverage and duties as needed. 
• Utilize Delphi system for accurate blocking of events, groups, traces, and generation of BEOS.
• Obtain guarantees for food and beverage functions.
• Check Delphi Daily and Weekly reports.
• Adhere to selling policies as set forth by DOSM.
• Obtain necessary approvals/permits/insurance certificates for functions that utilize outside vendors.
• Promptly share leads on group, corporate FIT and travel trade business with relevant members of the Corporate and Travel sales team
• Chair pre-conference and post-conference meetings as needed. 
• Communicate all group information/changes to existing information to appropriate hotel colleagues in an accurate and timely manner.
• Entertain clients, as appropriate.
• Maintain an active trace system for all assigned groups.
• Remain available to hotel colleagues while on property and via hotel provided cellular phone at all times.
• Audit banquet checks for assigned groups.
• Contract business with approved vendors, as appropriate
• Approve payment and provide backup for contracted vendor business.
• To attend all business-critical meetings to include BEO, Resume, Pre/Post Convention, Site Inspection, etc.
• Be aware of current market trends.
• Be aware of departmental goals and strive towards achieving them.
• Attend all training programs for department and for the hotel.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of Sales & Marketing
• Forecast catering pick up expectations as requested.
• Financial responsibilities
• Audit banquet checks for assigned groups.
• Contract business with approved vendors as appropriate
• Approve payment and provide back up for contracted vendor business.

STRATEGY:
•    Successfully, innovatively, and timely implement Commercial strategic initiatives and monitor for best-in-class results
•    Drive innovation and creativity within event delivery 
•    Partner with the General Manager/Executive Committee to deliver on Hilton’s values by creating high-impact event experiences
•    Ensure that high quality service standards are maintained through continuous reviews of processes and procedures 
•    Provide owner relations guidance in key areas of Events expertise, as needed (Banquet Capital Expenditures, Staffing Models) 
•    Actively support the sales process. 

LEADERSHIP:
•    Provide overall leadership and direction in all Events matters. 
•    Serve as the hotel’s credible Subject Matter Expert on all matters relating to event experience
•    Serve as a highly visible, participatory leader who proactively and consistently engages with their General Manager/Executive Committee, Sales, Catering and Events team members, external guests, and suppliers 
•    Remain current on event trends to evaluate innovative ways for process/practice improvements and shares best practices
•    Participate or represent Hilton in industry social/meeting/events professional associations

CULTURE:
•    Inspire high-performing multi-cultural, multi-generational teams that build Hilton’s Catering and Events talent pipeline 
•    Integrate Hilton’s Values/Mission/Purpose when implementing Catering & Event initiatives and support Team Member-centric and guest-centric programs
•    Lead with Hilton culture engaging with Team Members through direct and meaningful interactions 
•    Be an ambassador for customer service.  

TALENT:
•    Motivate and provide a work environment in which team members are productive 
•    Ensure all Catering and Event manager roles have career development plans in place that are actively supported by leadership and profiles are current for succession planning 
•    Listen and respond to team members needs while having an open-door policy
•    Manage group and interpersonal conflict effectively 

OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE:
•    Ensure the proper use of all function space, exhibit hall, and event spaces 
•    Manage supplier and vendor relationships 
•    Possess subject matter expertise and ensure standards/practices
•    Development and management of departmental budgets 
•    Responsible for the overseeing short, medium, and long-term forecasting and actual cost reporting for events 
•    Ensure proper staffing for the needs of the business 
•    Integrate current trends in event management and design 
•    Participate in customer site inspections and assists with the sales process as necessary 

#LI-SC1

What are we looking for?

Mandatory

• Flexible work hours to include weekends and holidays in order to meet the demands of a 24-hour operation.
• Excellent communication skills in all aspects: verbal, written and  non-verbal.
• Proficient in both verbal and written English language.
• Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in catering or event services, preferably in a luxury hotel property.
• Candidates must have a track record of success in the hotel industry.
• Appropriate, professional appearance and presentation
• Strong computer knowledge, with technical ability and/or aptitude to fully use Delphi.fdc property management systems.
• Motivated personality with the ability to demonstrate successful negotiating business acumen both in person, and over the phone.
• Team player who fosters good work relationships with a positive mental attitude.
• Very detail - oriented and desire to proactively assist colleagues and guests who need help at any time.
• Must work in a safe, prudent and organized manner.
• Must have mathematical skill, computer software aptitude and hotel operation knowledge.
• Must be able to relate to all levels of management.
• Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks at one time.
• Must have superior organizational skills. 
• Must be able to sit for 8-12 hours per day.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in for a luxury hotel brand preferred.
• Strong social and community contacts in the Atlanta community preferred.
• Restaurant PDR experience would be a distinct advantage.
• Degree or Diploma from a reputable university.

Since being founded in 1919, Hilton has been a leader in the hospitality industry. Today, Hilton remains a beacon of innovation, quality, and success. This continued leadership is the result of our Team Members staying true to our Vision, Mission, and Values. Specifically, we look for demonstration of these Values:

• Hospitality - We're passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Integrity - We do the right thing, all the time.
• Leadership - We're leaders in our industry and in our communities.
• Teamwork - We're team players in everything we do.
• Ownership - We're the owners of our actions and decisions.
• Now - We operate with a sense of urgency and discipline.

In addition, we look for the demonstration of the following key attributes:

• Quality
• Productivity
• Dependability
• Customer Focus
• Adaptability

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its  global brands .  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!

The Benefits – Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture ranking #2 Best Company To Work For in the U.S. and #1 Best Workplaces for Women List - 5th Year In a Row.

We support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members so they can Thrive personally and professionally in a diverse and inclusive environment, thanks to innovative programs and benefits such as: 

• Access to your pay when you need it through DailyPay
• Health insurance 
• Career growth and development 
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Recognition and rewards programs
• Go Hilton travel discount program 
• Best-in-Class Paid Time Off (PTO)  
• Supportive parental leave
• Employee stock purchase program (ESPP) - purchase Hilton shares at 15% discount
• Debt-free education : Access to a wide variety of educational credentials (ex. college degrees, high school completion, English-language learning, digital literacy, professional certificates and more)#LI-SC1

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