Associate Director of Catering Sales

Experience the Windy City from the heart of it all. Loews Chicago Hotel , situated steps from Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile, offers guests spectacular city skyline and lake views, while enjoying the comforts of home.

Welcome to City Sophistication where convenience and relaxation meet.

Who We Are : Loews Hotels & Co is a leading owner and operator of luxury hotels with a portfolio consisting of 26 hotels and resorts in the United States and Canada.

Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards and embrace their uniquely local community in order to curate exciting, approachable and local travel experiences for guests.

What We’re Looking For : HOTEL seeks an experienced Associate Director of Catering. This role is a highly visible, senior level role that is not only responsible for booking and servicing Catering business in order to meet revenue goals but also help to develop strategies to grow Catering business.

Who You Are :

• A Catering champion with a passion and expertise for relationship building and driving results
• An entrepreneur at heart who excels in an exciting, ever-evolving environment
• Forward thinker who finds excitement in strategic thinking and planning
• Effective communicator who is comfortable with taking the lead in a variety of settings

What You’ll Be Doing :

• Promptly reply to incoming leads
• Personally prospect and sell local Catering business and coordinate the sales efforts of all Catering Sales Managers
• Participate in daily business review meeting, pre-convention meetings, training and other catering sales related meetings as required
• Develop a customized Site Visit experience to support in converting business
• Plan, coordinate and service all booked Catering events
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to create unique and tailored menus for each event along with Wedding Packages, etc.

removing bullet below which references F&B collaboration)

• Partner with DOME on training for all Catering Managers Implement training for all Catering Managers
• Partner with DOME to develop annual Catering Sales strategy to retain and grow Catering business which may include special promotions to grow specific segments, sales blitzes, etc.
• Host, or participate, in local events to attract new business
• Analyze Catering sales performance and financial results to further refine the hotel’s Catering sales strategy
• Work with the Loews Hotels Brand team and Corporate Catering Director to develop creative Sales and Marketing opportunities
• Collaborate with F&B Team to establish creative Wedding Packages, Catering specialty menus, etc.
• Execute catering sales agreements, oversee client tastings, menu details, function set-ups as well as billing arrangements and communicate all pertinent details to the operational departments
• Research the competitive catering environment to define potential sources of Catering business and to determine strengths and weaknesses of competitors
• Partners with Brand and PR Team to maintain and optimize 3rd party website presence
• Assist DOME with research and preparation of yearly Catering budget
• Assist Catering Managers in setting annual personal objectives and goals
• Support Catering Managers in achieving personal objectives and goals
• Block space effectively in Delphi to maximize potential revenues, following business review and space release policies on property
• Distribute all necessary documents, including Banquet Event Orders and resumes, to all appropriate hotel departments to facilitate efficient operations
• Accurately forecast group’s anticipated revenue spend
• Schedules and coordinates pre-convention and post-convention meetings when required
• Discuss group’s plans for future events, encouraging rebooking
• Responsible for soliciting client’s for feedback on Meeting Planner Survey and developing a plan to increase return of Surveys
• Partners with Financial Service Center to ensure all aspects of credit and billing process are fulfilled
• Attend all meetings as appropriate : Staff, Department, Resume Review and BEO Meeting, etc.
• Works on special projects as assigned by Director of Meetings and Events
• All other duties as assigned

Your Experience Includes :

• Minimum five years Catering Sales experience in a full-service hotel environment with proven success
• Certified Meeting Planner, Certified Professional in Catering and Events, or similar Designation strongly preferred
• Extensive knowledge of all hotel support departments
• Delphi experience preferred
• Diagram Writing Software experience, such as Social Tables, preferred
• Property Management System knowledge preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven success in sales
• Excels in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment
• Able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays
• Must be able to push, stand, stoop, bend and lift items weighing up to 25 pounds

What We Offer :

• This is a bonus eligible position
• Competitive health & wellness benefits, 401(K) & company match
• Hybrid remote-eligible work policy
• Paid Sick Days, Vacation, and Holidays
• Training & Development opportunities, career growth
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Hotel Rates
• Other discounts and more
27 days ago