Director of Catering and Conference Services

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. .

The Newbury Boston at One Newbury Street, located in the premier shopping and dining neighborhood of Boston’s Back Bay is an iconic property originally opened in 1927 as one of the first Ritz-Carlton hotels in the U.S. and most recently was the Taj Boston. The building was recently transformed into a 286-room luxury hotel with 16,000-sq-ft of stunning event spaces, signature dining experiences and a reimagined front entrance on Newbury Street.

The Director of Catering and Conference Services is responsible for directing, coordinating, training and supervising the Catering Sales and Conference Services Team. Supports and guides all catering sales and conference/meeting related activities, including site inspections, tastings, direct sales efforts, follow-up and proper catering administration. He/she is also responsible for generating new business to ensure that catering and conference revenues meet or exceed budget in order to maximize revenue and profits, and to improve the hotel’s performance in the marketplace.

• Supervise, administer and ensure timely completion of all activities of the Catering and Conference Services Department.
• Develop a full working knowledge of the operations of the hotel, including Food and Beverage, Guest Services and Reservations.
• Develop a complete knowledge of company Catering and Conference sales policies and SOP’s, and ensure knowledge of and adherence to those policies by the Catering and Conference team.
• Work with culinary team on crafting banquet menus and keeping updated as needed.
• Ensure all BEO’s and Resume distribution SOP’s are followed.
• Develop and maintain market awareness to ensure ability to predict revenue opportunities and set proactive strategies.
• Meet or exceed set goals.
• Operate the Catering and Conference Department within established Sales and Marketing budgeted expenses.
• Coordinate Catering and Conference bookings to maximize profits.
• Initiate and follow up on leads.
• Maintain and participate in an active Catering and Conference sales solicitation program.
• Administer training in the Catering and Conference department, according to Highgate Hotel standards.
• Assist in the preparation of required reports in a timely manner.
• Conduct weekly Catering and Conference meetings according to Highgate Hotel standards.
• Develop quarterly KRA’s, and review the KRA process with the Team to ensure that deadlines are met.
• Conduct daily Highgate Hotel Business Review (HHBR) meeting with Sales and Catering, operations staff and Reveneue Manager.
• Be familiar with all Highgate Hotel sales policies and selling techniques with an emphasis on maximizing and Catering and Banquet revenues.
• Conduct all Sales Team Performance Appraisals according to Highgate Hotel SOP’s.
• Motivate, coach, counsel and discipline all Catering and Conference Sales department personnel according to Highgate Hotel SOP’s.
• Review meeting planner evaluations as received to ensure that any problems are rectified and accocolades are shared.
• Use your property’s Delphi FDC system to manage the hotel’s business, including (but not limited to) generating reports, entering business, blocking space and building accounts.
• Monitor the Catering Sales incentive plans and ensure that Catering Managers can explain their potential earnings and benefits, and assist in ensuring that incentives are processed and paid according to the specified time period for each plan.
• Assist with preparation of the annual revenue budget.
• Assist with preparation of the annual Marketing Plan.
• Meet and greet onsite contacts.
• Develop networking opportunities through active participation in community and professional associations.
• Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-bookings to capture repeat business opportunities.
• Respond to requests by Meeting Planners immediately.
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event set-up.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Create, review and revise rooming lists and VIP lists.
• Manage the Delphi/Salesforce and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.
• Set up and manage meeting planner evaluation platform and communicate results.
• Respond to guest complaints in a timely manner.
• Keep managers fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
• Work with F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Know meeting room set-ups and capabilities.
• Know guest room and suite types and pricing.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audiovisual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One to One Customer Service Training, etc.)
• Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Catering Managers.
• Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and quality.
• Coordinate all aspects of the ongoing implementation of the Highgate Hotel Enrichment philosophy of service.
• Ensure participation within department for monthly team meeting.
• Focus team on their role in contributing to the Guest Service and audit scores
• Conduct meetings according to Highgate Hotel standards as required by management.

• At least 8 years of progressive luxury hotel catering sales experience; or a 4-year college degree and at least 4 years of luxury hotel related experience; or a 2-year college degree and at least 6 years of luxury hotel sales experience.
• 3 years of Department Leader experience required.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Suite Programs and Delphi FDC.
• Long hours sometimes required.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.