Director of Social Catering

The Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel, a member of the Marriott Autograph Collection, is seeking a Director of Social Catering to join our executive leadership team. Located in the heart of Columbia, MD, and overlooking serene views of Lake Kittamaqundi, our full-service luxury hotel blends upscale comfort with natural beauty. We're not just a hotel; we're a destination-and we're ready to take our guest experiences to the next level. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our hotel while leading with impact.

The Director of Social Catering serves as the business leader of the property's Catering Sales Department and manages the property's reactive and proactive catering sales efforts. Shares responsibility for achieving revenue goals, guest and associate satisfaction and the financial performance of the department. This position verifies a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering a high level of service. Maintains accountability for verifying that the team maximizes revenue opportunities by up-selling and accurately forecasting (e.g., catering and group rooms) for all events.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordination and management of all Social Banquet catering events, conferences, meetings, and activities booked through the sales department
• Manage and coordinate all Social Catering events, conferences, meetings, booked through the sales department
• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines
• Confirm in writing to the client and all affected hotel departments all group requirements via sales contract terms, addendums, confirmation of pricing, and / or banquet event order
• Assist the client in menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow, room set-up, group room blocks and VIP services, etc
• Conduct Pre-convention meeting with client and operations team as needed (for larger programs)
• Confirm head counts and collect payments for deposits and final balance
• Work with sales staff to service and solicit new business
• Up-sell client events and manage function space and room block inventory as assigned
• Work closely with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients
• Report and communicate Meeting event needs between the client and hotel
• Prepare and distribute amenity request forms for specified clients
• Obtain designated approvals and follow-up on delivery
• Check function room set-ups with the Banquet Department prior to guest arrival, ensuring all details are in agreement with client's requirements and hotel standards
• Welcome group contact upon arrival at function and ensure guest satisfaction
• Work in a timely manner to executive and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and contracts as designated by sales
• Conduct hotel and banquet facility tours and entertain qualified clients in accordance with company and property policies
• Follow up with clients regularly during and after departure to ensure satisfaction and secure future bookings
• Other Duties as assigned and directed by business.

Education and Experience