With its rugged coastline and rolling vineyards, the Sonoma Coast has its roots firmly planted in the soil. The Lodge at Bodega Bay, poised atop a tranquil bluff, reflects the wild beauty of this romantic region. Consistently rated as the Hotel in Bodega Bay and on the Sonoma Coast on our friendly, down-to-earth and knowledgeable team will ensure our guests have a memorable stay.
We are seeking an Catering & Events Manager to join our team of outstanding hospitality professionals.
This position is responsible for soliciting new on-site Catering and Event accounts. Meeting and networking with industry connections to further improve outside relationships and build more brand awareness of Hotel and Events space at the Lodge at Bodega Bay. Must have the ability to be a dynamic socially engaged Entertaining and maintaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals in room revenue, food, beverage, AV, spa and room rental. Service and execute events secured by the sales and event team.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Solicit, negotiate, and book new and repeat business through in-bound, networking and outreach efforts (outside sales calls, prospecting, networking, etc.) while maximizing event space to meet/exceed revenue goals.
- Timely and thoroughly completion of contracts, EO's, coordinate with the appropriate areas / departments of the hotel to ensure proper high-quality product and service delivery and customer service satisfaction.
- Conducts live onsite and virtual tours with prospective clients, will work a schedule that allows easy access to event spaces for viewing, weekends may be required to ensure guests can get in to see spaces.
- Work in computer systems, answer phones and emails, report back issues with costs, client requests that may be difficult to manage. Find work arounds for clients and staff to ensure guest satisfaction with solutions-based approach.
- Helps ensure all event's related timelines are achievable, shares details and enlists support of Department to make sure guest is well informed of ability to make goals a success for events.
- Shares timelines, group resumes, changes in menus, timing, meetings and all changes are updated and highlighted for full understanding of F&B in order to execute accordingly.
- Leads others in a positive and professional way, is polite and professional with clients and team members and extends courtesy at all times.
- Assists with securing bands, DJs, suggesting vendors, arranging rentals and passing costs to clients, ensuing they understand the nature of the fees and that all is included on all event orders.
- May be asked to assist photography projects as needed, outlines areas of opportunity to shore up better look and feel items to attract clientele.
- Works to ensure all wedding wire, the knot and new sites used to book wedding business is up to date and has creative and relevant content on the platform and descriptions, menus and links are all updated.
- Finds ways to attract newer higher end business with greater budget guidelines to improve overall group performance.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the competition's products, strengths and weaknesses to continually improve sales strategies and the achievement of goals.
- Enter, review and update group information in DELPHI system up to and include function space and banquet event orders .
- Assist with incoming inquiries, site inspections, email correspondence, replies and pitches. Is timely and responsive to inquiries as well as secured business related questions.
- All resumes and event orders are to be completed and sent electronically to F&B and Operations team at the end of day on Monday prior to Resume and F&B meeting .
- Resumes and EO will be reviewed the following day Tuesday at F&B meeting.
- Update and Ensure Client billing is completed Ensure accurate and timely delivery of group and individual VIP amenities, help with running as needed if Desk is too busy.
- Check on clients throughout their program while on property, meet in AM or during PM program, ensure they are actively seeing you working the event.
- Maintain the accuracy of the EO's (guarantees, replacing revised/original BEO's, F&B BEO's placed in correct section, etc.) as assigned.
- Respond to any issues or complaints from group, investigate fully and review what went wrong and why and how it is prevented in future.
- Ensure group contact is reached out to and responded to if issue is requiring a discount, that MD & DOSM & DOGS is all informed and billing is adjusted to reflect level of concern.
- After the group bill is paid, scan all file correspondence into the event booking in Delphi.
- Coordinate all in house meetings to include blocking space, create banquet event orders and signatures required.
- Maximize revenue by selling all facets of the hotel to previous, current and potential clients, including room rental, A/V and other revenue generation opportunities.
- Attends all applicable hotel meetings: department, staff, food and beverage, sales, and EO's.
- Assists in building strong relations with other hotel departments, employees, and outside agencies and vendors.
- Complies with required safety regulations and procedures.
- Takes on projects and issues with initiatives, makes solid recommendations, gets key team members involved to help ensure Events Department is fully equipped, well organized.
- Maintains cleanliness and excellent condition of equipment and work area.
- Maintains flexibility with other duties that are assigned by DOSM, SM and MD.
Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established by the Hotel from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Associates with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, associates may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the Hotel.
Upon employment, all associates are required to fully comply with the Hotel rules and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of the facility.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Able to communicate with clients in a friendly and positive manner in order to solicit business, meet clients needs and resolve complaints.
- Able to read, listen and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Must be comfortable with use of Google, internet, computers.
- Must have 1 year of Opera or a Reservations based PMS system, with some reservations and reporting experience.
- Experience with Delphi or another reservations Event system helpful.
- Ability to work in a Restaurant setting or past restaurant experience preferred.
- Able to meet and network easily with others.
- Knowledge of Sonoma and surrounding area of the coastal region helpful.
- Ability to write Catering reports and business correspondences and memorandums.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
- Ability to access, understand and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
- Ability to calculate figures and sales amounts, such as discounts and Catering Sales volume.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Meets legal age requirements for the position.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from college or any other combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. Must have 2-3 years of applicable recent/relatable Sales experience in Catering or Groups in a Hotel or Banquet or Restaurant setting.
CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS, LICENSES: Food Handler Certification required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing these duties the associate is occasionally exposed to various outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and is required to reach with hands and arms . click apply for full job details