Director - Conferences and Events

Job Description

Job Description

About the Augustine Institute

The mission of the Augustine Institute is to serve the formation of Catholics for the New Evangelization. We educate through academic instruction, compelling programs, and faithful content. We welcome Catholics and Catholic institutions to our campus for retreat, formation and for building the Kingdom of God on Earth. We equip Catholics intellectually, spiritually, and pastorally to renew the Church and transform the world for Christ.

Position Summary

The Augustine Institute seeks a passionate and service-oriented Director of Conferences and Events to join our team. The Director of Conferences and Events is the key leader in creating an environment and culture of leaders with dynamic selling skills and a sense of customer urgency that meets the financial needs of the organization and surpasses customers’ expectations. Directs the day-today conference and events services department to achieve the property mission and goals. Actively refines, and continuously improving processes, systems, and performances to foster an environment of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and growth of each team member.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides guidance and direction to ensure overall department success. Manages subordinate conferences and events staff.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all conferences and events.
• Fulfills supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization’s policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training team members, planning and directing work; performance evaluations, rewarding and disciplining team members as warranted; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Responsible for planning department goals and directing team members to achieve results.
• Actively solicits new business opportunities through prospecting new groups and using network channels to open new doors to customers.
• Seeks methods to grow key business activities within the conference and catering Catholic marketplace and finds profitable ways to bring this business to campus.
• Researches information on market and trends and the clients supporting those markets.
• Develops and implements individual and department marketing plan to successfully identify and close new and additional business. Participates in Catholic community events.
• Creates and maintains each event’s banquet event order (BEO) outlining all the events’ details, including food and beverage choices. Maintains appropriate contact with customer contact to ensure accuracy and work out any details.
• Participates in the hiring process by interviewing potential team members and selecting those that best meet the mission and staffing needs.
• Follow all HR policies and ensure staff receive any required training needed.
• Prepares annual budget. Achieves budgeted revenues, controls expenses, and maximizes profitability within assigned areas.
• Utilizes computer programs to analyze forecasts, cost, and revenue reports.
• Makes decisions and acts based on the information to maximize profitability.
• Ensure guests receive outstanding, consistent, exceptional service by working with other departments to communicate guest expectations and ensure expectations are met or exceeded.
• Seeks opportunities to improve satisfaction and immediately oversee any guests’ concerns or complaints.
• Follow all safety policies and procedures. Acts on reports of potential safety issues or whenever observed and takes immediate action to resolve emergency situations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• Minimum 5 or more years of progressive catering, conference/event services, banquet, culinary, or other similar experience. Three years as a supervisor / manager in similar setting desired.
• Posses solid knowledge of catering management, luxury hotel service standards, guest relations, and etiquette. Ability and experience in successfully leading and coordinating staff in a high volume, time-sensitive environment. Requires ability to lead others in the department by mentoring and providing training that results in staff that meet/exceed guest experience and provides a high level of guest satisfaction.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective operating and control processes designed to attain maximum operating efficiency while ensuring adherence to established operating criteria.
• Strong knowledge of sales techniques and strong skills with ability to negotiate and close sales.
• Requires ability to determine needs of customers and present sales options through verbal face-to-face and telephone interactions. Must be able to create and effectively provide sales presentations and materials to potential customers. Contracts sometimes contain confidential / sensitive information so requires ability to use discretion.
• Must demonstrate positive attitude and professional demeanor. Requires effective communication and interpersonal skills and commitment to a high level of guest satisfaction.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Must be able to solve problems and remain calm and alert if dealing with difficult guest, during busy activity periods or in an emergency.
• Requires working knowledge of MS Office and Hotel software applications, such as Delphi, Opera, etc.
• through verbal face-to-face and telephone interactions. Must be able to create and effectively provide sales presentations and materials to potential customers. Contracts sometimes contain confidential / sensitive information so requires ability to use discretion.
• Must demonstrate positive attitude and professional demeanor. Requires effective communication and interpersonal skills and commitment to a high level of guest satisfaction.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variate of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Must maintain a clean appearance and professional demeanor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Inspiring, visible leader who models integrity, humility, and accountability.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence, coach, and collaborate across all levels.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills—able to move from long-term planning to direct problem solving.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong conflict resolution and change-management skills; able to navigate ambiguity and lead through change.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate the Augustine Institute’s core values including:

• Humility – We serve the Augustine Institute Mission with humility and a service mindset.
• Collaboration – We work together as a united Body of Christ.
• Innovation – We encourage being creative and demonstrating a clever mindset.
• Excellence – We strive in everything we do to win souls for Christ

Physical Demands

Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, mornings, evenings, and extended hours based on business needs. Frequent walking and standing throughout the property; occasional lifting/carrying of up to 40–50 pounds (e.g., supplies, equipment). Exposure to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, including varying temperatures.

Base Compensation

The base compensation range represents the low and high end of the compensation range for this position. Actual compensation will vary and may be above or below the range based on several factors including but not limited to qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. The Augustine Institute offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 403b retirement plan match, medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid holidays, and a generous paid time off plan, on-site Chapel with Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as other benefits.