Assistant Director of Banquets

The Charleston Place - Charleston, SC

Full-time - Entry Level

Charleston, SC

About the position

We believe that hospitality is a transformative art - that this 'place' can do more than inspire and nurture its guests, team, and partners. It can inspire an entire city, country, and world. By captivating the hearts and imaginations of a new generation with renewed passion, purpose, and intention, we're building a hospitality company and place that celebrates humanity. Where we can be a source of hope, care, and delight. Where people are inspired to be the best version of themselves - kinder, more open, and more gracious. And, that we have the power to carry that spirit with us into our hearts, lives, communities, and everywhere we go.

Responsibilities

• Maintain complete knowledge of daily house count, arrivals/ departures, VIP's, and scheduled in-house group activities.
• Maintain complete knowledge of service requirements for each scheduled function, including detailed menu selections, major ingredients, appearance, quality standards, garnish and method of presentation; wines/champagnes ordered; prices of specified selections of cash functions; group's names and backgrounds; type of functions and expected attendance; scheduled hours of service; special requests/ arrangement; order of service and traffic flow; and payment arrangements.
• Must understand Forbes Travel Guide and LQA standards.
• Maintain complete knowledge of and strictly abide by state liquor regulations.
• Check storage areas for proper supplies, organization and cleanliness.
• Establish par levels for food supplies, linen and equipment. Complete requisitions to replenish shortages.
• Review sales from previous day and resolve discrepancies with Accounting. Track revenue against budget/ forecast.
• Assist with developing annual budget, maintaining proper monthly/period forecast and justify period end results to Executive Management.
• Assist with overseeing the setup, execution and breakdown of all events: social, corporate, wedding, and internal events.
• Control purchases and inventory by partnering with the Banquet and Executive Chefs and the purchasing department.
• Coordinate set-up requirements for hotel and off-site functions according to the banquet event order, communicate directly with group contacts, Catering Managers, and Conference Services Managers to ensure that all details of the function are carried out, ensure quality and timeliness of all food items, as well as provide knowledge of wine and spirits in an elegantly appointed environment dedicated to an attentive and distinctive experience.
• Foster a positive work environment resulting in colleague and leader engagement through consistent communication, garnering feedback and auctioning measurable improvement plans.
• Inspect and oversee the cleanliness and maintenance of all function space, public areas, and service areas on all banquet levels. Coordinate with Housekeeping and Engineering to ensure the highest level of product delivery.
• Retrieve and organize Banquet Event Orders; make note of changes as received from Catering and post function sheets for the following week.
• Ensure that rooms are setup and service delivery is carried out in accordance with the guest's expectations and BEO.
• Meet with the Chef and Stewarding to review scheduled group's menu and equipment requirements.
• Prepare station assignments according to group requirements and hotel regulations.
• Inspect the scheduled function areas/rooms for cleanliness and proper set-up; rectify any deficiencies with respective departments.
• Assign side work to servers. Communicate additions or changes to the assignments as they arise throughout the shift. Identify situations that compromise the department's standards and delegate these tasks.
• Walk-through and supervise the daily operations of the Banquet area (order and maintain supplies, review set-up and food and beverage preparation and service) to ensure compliance with LSOPs and SOPs, Banquet Event Orders, safety regulations and procedures and to ensure an optimal level of service, quality and hospitality.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings with servers; review all information pertinent to the event set-up and service. Ensure daily line-ups occur.
• Inspect grooming and attire of staff; rectify any deficiencies.
• Inspect table, buffets, bar set-ups and other stations for layout, cleanliness, neatness, attractiveness, and accordance with group's requirements. Ensure replenishment of items as agreed to.
• Meet with group coordinator /host prior to function, ensure all arrangements are taken care of.
• Constantly monitor staff performance in all phases of service and job functions, ensuring all procedures are carried out to standards.
• Observe guests' reactions and confer frequently with staff to ensure guests' satisfaction.
• Anticipate guests' needs; respond promptly and acknowledge all guests, however busy and whatever time of day. Be pleasant, smile and greet all guests, using surnames when possible.
• Monitor and handle guests' complaints, ensuring guests' satisfaction.
• Total all charges for each group function; present check to group for payment.
• Ensure that unused food is returned to the kitchen and that all banquet supplies are returned to storage areas.
• Direct final breakdown of function room and clean-up.
• Ensure all cashiering procedures are processed in compliance with Accounting standards.
• Foster and promote a cooperative working climate, maximizing productivity and colleague morale.
• Prepare and submit daily /weekly payroll and tip distribution reports. Calculate servers' gratuities. Monitor payroll to ensure department budget is not exceeded.
• Direct and complete regular inventories.
• Prepare weekly work schedules in accordance with staffing guidelines and labor forecasts. Adjust schedules throughout the week to meet business demands.
• Ensure staff report to work as scheduled. Review colleague time cards.
• Interview, hire, train and supervise Banquets colleagues.
• Discipline and counsel staff as needed.
• Ensure that consistent quality standards are being achieved.
• Supervise the set-up of all Banquets and hospitality suite functions; monitor the quality of delivery and service.
• Ensure all Banquets equipment is maintained and stored properly.
• Attend all designated staff meetings and training sessions.
• Stay updated on food and wine trends.
• Maintain knowledge of hotel features/services, outlets, hours of operation, etc.
• Practice emergency procedures in compliance with hotel/ company standards; react and assist in hotel emergency situations as needed.
• Be an ambassador of the hotel and the company at all times, in and out of the work place.
• Observe standards for the department in image, appearance, and grooming; properly represent the company and the profession to outside organizations and the community.
• Be knowledgeable of, implement, communicate, and comply with policies of The Charleston Place.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all guest and general hotel information.
• Assist in other areas as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred.
• Five years of F&B experience required, preferably in Banquets, with minimum two years progressive management in a luxury hotel.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English with hotel guests and colleagues.
• Ability to provide friendly, efficient and courteous service to guests.
• Ability to calculate.
• Ability work under pressure, be organized, self-motivated and work well with others.
• Strong positive attitude and ability to initiate light conversation with guests.
• Knowledge of hotel property and operating hours of each guest service area.
• Basic knowledge of Charleston and surrounding areas.
• Knowledge of proper handling and storage of food and beverage items.
• Ability to provide legible communication.
• Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner.
• Ability to work effectively and relate well with senior management, colleagues, subordinates and individuals inside and outside the hotel.
• Knowledge of various food service styles (i.e. French, Russian, butler style, flambe).
• Knowledge of specific room set-up styles. Familiarity with F&B cost controls.
• Knowledge of liquor laws and regulations.
• Understanding of the luxury hotel environment.
• Additional foreign language skills a plus.

Benefits

• Enjoy free meals in our colleague café.
• Paid Time Off based on hours worked, up to 16 days in your first year.
• 8 Paid Public Holidays.
• Wellness Reimbursement.
• Up to 4.5% Company Match - Retirement Savings Plan.
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Health Savings Account.
• Colleague Commuter Benefit.
• Hotel discounts at Spa and Dining Outlets.
• Friends & Family Hotel Room Discounts.