Catering Coordinator

Job Description Summary We’re Sonesta International Hotels. The Complex Director of Catering at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta & Fifty Sonesta New York is a key staff position responsible for the administration, analysis, development and communication needed to service customers and develop revenues. The CDOC must be an enthusiastic, aggressive, results‑driven professional who possesses the ability and passion for guest service and booking business. The CDOC will be responsible for selling catering events within the hotel and hotel outlets, as well as servicing all meetings and catering events. The CDOC works closely with the ADOSM and Revenue Director to achieve annual goals, budget and targets and supervises catering sales managers, Event Services Managers, trainees, and administrative staff. Additional support is provided to Group Sellers when requested. The CDOC acts as a liaison between Catering & Convention Services and all departments throughout the hotel, with strong communication and organizational skills. The position requires the candidate to live in the New York metropolitan area and will work on site at the hotel. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Sells 80% of time; 20% analytical, administrative. Responsible for achieving individual revenue goals. Assist ADOSM with establishing a sense of urgency with team to understand and achieve the needs of the hotel. Generate weekly reports of definite, tentative, and lost business. Generate monthly Pace reports. Generate leads for new business. Sell and service all events. On-site tours of hotel to prospective guests. Send menus, proposals, BEO’s and contracts to clients. Entertain new and repeat clients. Ensure all contracts are signed and payment received. Responsible for post‑event follow‑up. Coordinate the food and beverage needs booked by sales department. Communicate to all departments involved in executing events. Attend weekly Sales, Department Head, Catering and Food & Beverage meetings. Attend weekly BEO meetings. Direct activities of the catering sales team, providing leadership and motivation to implement effective sales and marketing strategies and maximize catering revenues. Develop and maintain relationships with key clients to produce group and/or conference business, including room sales, food & beverage sales, catering/banquet services and meeting room rental. Manage and monitor sales activities/performance to ensure the team meets or exceeds the revenue plan and accurately reports variances/projections. Assist the Area Director of Sales & Marketing with the development/update of the hotel‑level business plan, including input on sales goals and plans that support overall business and sales strategies. Recruit, hire, train, and provide career development for all catering sales personnel; conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback using company hiring standards and guidelines. Follow company policies and procedures and communicate them to subordinates. All other duties deemed necessary by a member of management. Partner with marketing to create hotel‑specific collateral and promotions for catering and restaurant. Analyze key reports monthly for potential new business to maintain and increase share. Manage tentative bookings and inventory issues, ensuring timely follow‑up by Group & Catering Sales Managers and Group Services. Assist in the budget/marketing plan process. Communicate property‑specific information on new competition, market mix changes, and needs to the NY Sales Team. Complete monthly catering forecasting. Consistently offer professional, friendly, and engaging service. Work closely with ADOSM to increase team engagement and development in sales and/or management roles. Direct, train, and manage all activity related to the Catering and Convention Services office, ensuring all service standards are followed. Responsible for all catering, from booking to execution and conference services from the time a contract becomes definite to execution. Proficient in general computer knowledge and able to train and monitor the event contractual agreement process, quoting pricing, setting traces, and managing accounts. Prepare an annual budget for approval and administer it in a fiscally responsible manner. Develop annual goals for the Catering and Convention Services Team. Monitor and review Catering Sales Managers’ sales achievement in relation to productivity. Keep the ADOSM informed of all activities related to the Catering & Convention Services Department with regular meetings and daily communication. Work closely with ADOSM, DORM, and General Manager on revenue strategies. Assist the ADOSM in establishing and maintaining the annual Sales & Marketing Plan. Develop banquet menu pricing, rental fees, and revenue minimums, using current competitive data and company direction. Negotiate and achieve maximum revenue/profit while satisfying clients’ needs. Participate in daily business review meetings, weekly catering prospecting reviews, sales meetings, and management meetings. Coordinate sales efforts between the hotel sales department and catering sales to ensure proper utilization of function space and yield maximum revenues. Ensure function bookings, group resumes, and event contracts are prepared and distributed accurately and efficiently. Work toward providing efficient processes; update/create Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). Ensure the team is well trained on Delphi, monitor Delphi, and enforce SOPs for its use with audits as needed. Work with Delphi Manager on month‑end reports, maintaining and meeting deadlines. Help answer daily questions from staff and maintain good morale in the office—alerting ADOSM to any concerns. Maintain harmonious relationships with other departments, other hotels, convention bureau, and regional offices, and stay informed on market and property developments. Ensure meeting and function rooms are properly maintained and liaised with food and beverage outlets regarding reservations and client flow. Balance operational, administrative, and colleague needs. Follow departmental policies and procedures. Follow all safety policies. Financial Management: Manage and optimize the annual revenue goal and achieve YOY key account revenue growth. Responsible for individual performance and incremental contribution to Sonesta hotels. Responsibly collaborate with hotel teams to activate shared account events and activities. Responsible for effectively managing time commitments. Responsible for meeting and overall exceeding revenue targets. Candidate is expected to learn and understand roles, responsibilities, and business of the clients with whom we partner. Responsible for using appropriate account management tools to track activities, opportunities, and follow‑up. Responsible for achieving the desired ROI on trade shows and industry events. The CDOC will function as the Voice of the Customer, represent customer insights to key corporate personnel and senior leadership, collaborate with resources across departments, lead by example, operate with integrity and respect, work toward goals while overcoming competitive obstacles, show strong passion and commitment to reaching targets, celebrate individual and team success, maintain a positive “can do” attitude, appreciate diversity, and ensure a positive and safe work environment. Qualifications Education and/or Experience – Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university and three to five years related experience and/or training. Prior catering & convention services experience or training. Ability to effectively train. Able to analyze reports and determine necessary conclusions for implementation and planning. Well‑groomed and well organized. Able to effectively sell and close business opportunities and train others to do the same. Able to handle stress and work independently, self‑motivated. Language skills – Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; speak effectively before groups of customers or employees. Mathematical skills – Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages. Reasoning ability – Capability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations with limited standardization; interpret instruction furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Computer skills – Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, OPERA (Property Management System), DELPHI. Physical Demands The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employees are frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Compensation Annual compensation range is $110,000 – $125,000 annually. Base pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills, and overall experience. Benefits Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Health Savings Account with Company Match 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match Paid Vacation and Sick Days Sonesta Hotel Discounts Educational Assistance Paid Parental Leave Company Paid Life Insurance Company Paid Short Term and Long‑Term Disability Insurance Various Employee Perks and Discounts Hospital Indemnity Critical Illness Insurance Accident Insurance Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. #J-18808-Ljbffr