Complex Director of Catering

The Barnett/Maison Metier - New Orleans, LA

Full-time - Mid Level

New Orleans, LA

About the position

The Complex Director of Catering at The Barnett Hotel and Maison Metier in New Orleans is responsible for leading the sales efforts to exceed banquet and catering revenues. This role involves managing the catering and convention services departments, ensuring the achievement of monthly sales goals, and providing overall sales leadership. The position requires strong organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to develop creative and profitable catering menus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s) in achieving and exceeding budgeted goals in food, beverage, and room rental revenue.
• Ensure timely correspondences, proposals, contracts, and follow-ups by Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s).
• Produce accurate and timely property catering pace and productivity reports.
• Train and develop newly hired Catering Manager(s) and Conference Services Manager(s) on catering-specific topics.
• Collaborate with the Director of Sales on quarterly booking goals and catering revenue budget forecasts.
• Work with the Executive Chef and Food and Beverage team to develop creative and market-appropriate Banquet and Catering Menus.
• Participate in yield management meetings to optimize the catering mix of business.
• Review catering contracts to ensure proper contribution to catering profit.
• Identify trends and research competition to develop strategic business plans.
• Monitor sales performance of Catering Manager(s) and Conference Service Manager(s) and provide coaching.
• Participate in management meetings to discuss budget and forecast.
• Conduct weekly sales calls to existing and new accounts to uncover new business opportunities.
• Build and strengthen relationships with existing and new accounts to enable future bookings.
• Maintain accurate sales records in the hotel sales system.
• Respond to all sales inquiries within 24 business hours.
• Negotiate catering sales contracts and oversee implementation and setup as required.
• Supervise execution of banquet events, which may include working on weekends, evenings, or holidays.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum 2-3 years as a Director of Catering or Senior Catering Sales Manager.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build relationships.
• Extensive knowledge of catering and conference services.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and hotel sales systems like Delphi.
• Understanding of budgetary and fiscal responsibility.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with creative and profitable menu development.
• Knowledge of pace and productivity reporting.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer
• Fair and equal employment opportunity regardless of protected status.