Associate Director of Catering

Loews Coral Gables Hotel features 242 guestrooms, including 23 beautifully designed suites, 30,0000 square feet of indoor/outdoor flexible meeting space, an expansive 9th floor pool deck, four Miami-inspired dining outlets and more.

Located just four blocks from the Gables' iconic Miracle Mile, the hotel is the centerpiece of The Plaza Coral Gables, a 2.1 million square foot mixed-use development showcasing retail space, dining and entertainment experiences.

Loews Coral Gables Hotel is the second Loews Hotel to open in South Florida, joining 25 other properties across the US and Canada that make up the Loews Hotels & Co portfolio.

Who We Are: Founded in 1960, Loews Hotels & Co-operates iconic hotels and resorts across the U.S. Together, our diverse and welcoming teams craft exceptional experiences in iconic destinations.

Growth and belonging start here; you'll be valued for who you are and the goals you have. Whether your next career chapter involves making memories for guests or supporting our properties in our Corporate Office, every role-from Guest Services to Finance, Culinary to IT-offers opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact.

Creating a Team Member experience where you belong no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status that makes you, you is a daily focus for us.

What We Offer:

• Competitive health & wellness benefits, 401(k) & company match
• Paid Sick Days, Vacation, and Holidays, Paid Bereavement
• Pet Insurance and Paid Pet Bereavement
• Training & Development opportunities, career growth
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Team Member Hotel Rates, other discounts, perks and more

What We're Looking For: We are seeking 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.
• Partner with DOME on 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
• 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
• 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