Senior Conference Services & Catering Manager

Located on the coveted south shore of Maui in Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani is Hawaiʻi’s only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort. This newly transformed, distinctive property is located on the sunny shores of Polo Beach amongst 22 acres of tropical landscape, offering authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences and genuine personal service that embody the spirit of Aloha.

From full-moon staff hikes and beach clean-ups to appreciation luncheons and birthday holidays, our team provides endless opportunities to learn and grow in both your personal and professional development. Live and work in a place you love!

What is in it for you:

• Comprehensive benefits package (Medical, Vision and Dental) including extended benefits like; Basic insurance, TDI and Long-Term Disability for regular Full-time and Part-time employees
• 401(k)
• One complimentary duty meal for all employees that work more than 6 hours per shift
• Food & Beverage discount at Fairmont Kea Lani (venue specific and discount may vary)
• Wellness Offerings
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates in Accor worldwide
• Learning programs through our Academies
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!

We are home to events that matter.  As the Senior Conference Services & Catering Manager, you will work alongside the Director of Conference Services & Catering to lead a dynamic team to excellent results by developing your team’s skills and working with all conference service and catering sales staff, in order to solicit, book and coordinate banquet/ catering functions that ensure customer satisfaction and maximize hotel revenue and profitability.                                                                     

Your expertise will enhance the reputation by acting as a liaison between client and operational departments to ensure a successful meeting and generate repeat business.  You will also ensure profitability of the department by maximizing revenues, control labor expenses and maintaining food and beverage expenses.

Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000

What you will be doing:  

• Solicit and book Catering & Conference Service Events, including weddings and business through targeted activities.  Soliciting includes making sales calls, responding to inquiry calls, appointments, etc.
• Organize catering and/or convention booking files and consistently maintain accurate records of communication and activities.
• Obtain/confirm all event-related information including, but not limited to, meeting specifications, audio visual, rooming lists, technical needs, exhibit needs, food and beverage requirements, etc.
• Organize/distribute group resumes, conference agendas, banquet event orders, floorplans, etc. to all operating partners accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Ensure function space is optimized/maximized for guest experience and financial performance of department.
• Yield sleeping room block and function space, ensuring optimization of financial return/performance.
• Drive revenue growth through upselling.
• Initiate/follow up on billing procedures, ensuring deposits and/or credit applications are received within acceptable timeframes.
• Accurately forecast revenue by day, by meal period by month for each assigned Group.
• Conduct any/all site inspections as required, including ‘walk-in’ inquiries.
• Conduct pre-conference/event meetings with clients and pertinent departments to confirm all relevant details are communicated.
• Attend necessary meetings within hotel that affect/are affected by the Catering, Conference Services &/or Events department (i.e. credit, pick-up, sales, leadership).
• Establish and maintain rapport with clients, prior to, during and post conference, exceeding their expectations and encouraging repeat business in order to achieve high VOG scores.
• Ensure guest/group experience while onsite, through personal interaction and attendance at functions throughout the stay.  Work closely with Operations partners to ensure smooth transition/turnover. Check-in with the meeting planners of each event to make sure everything is in order.
• Participate in local community through associations, memberships and involvement.  Be an ambassador of the hotel within the local community.
• Complete yearly competitive shop within our group mix of hotels

Your experience and skills include:

• Must be able to fluently speak, read, write and understand the English language.
• Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process.
• Must be service oriented and capable of communicating effectively with persons involved in all levels of authority, both internally and externally.
• Must possess basic mathematical ability.
• Must possess computer skills, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and e-mail functions.
• Experience with Opera and SocialTables preferred
• Must be able to multi-task and be detail-oriented in a fast paced, high volume environment.
• Must have ability to work independently and to prioritize or seek clarification in prioritizing work assignments.
• Maintain a professional working environment and attitude.
• Must have a proven ability to plan and organize events effectively with an acute sense of detail.
• Strong leadership, excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, proven problem solving abilities.
• Understand banquet operations and how it pertains to Catering & Conventions.
• Have a good understanding of menu description, design, and pricing.

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent or vocational training
• University/College degree in a related discipline preferred
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification preferred

Experience

• Two years of previous leadership experience within luxury market, and similar role, required

All Candidates must be in possession of identification proving authorization to work in the United States as defined in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). This Position does not offer sponsorship of Work Visas. Resumes submitted that cannot fulfill these requirements will not be considered.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Join our ‘ohana today:  Visit our website to learn more about living and working for Fairmont Hawai’i.  www.fairmonthawaiijobs.com

Why work for Accor?  Discover a world where life pulses with passion!​

Join the Accor Group, an ecosystem of over 45 brands, 5,600 hotels, 10,000 restaurants and lifestyle places, that welcome you.  With us, your personality is valued, your opportunities for growth know no boundaries.  Every action you take has a positive and memorable impact on the experience of our customers, your colleagues, and also, on the planet, contributing to pioneering the art of responsible hospitality.

Hospitality is a work of heart! #fairmontcareers #alwayskealani