Director of Catering - InterContinental Hotel Kansas City

Come Join the Iconic InterContinental Hotel Kansas City on the Plaza Team!!

Part of TPG Hotels & Resorts Portfolio

The Director of Catering Sales directs all aspects of sales including analyzing and achieving strategic objectives and business growth potential. Direct staff, sales, accounting/budgeting, asset protection, inventory control and human resources. The Director of Catering Sales directs all catering operations in alignment with the direction of the General Manager, Company, brand standards, and local, state and national regulations. Responsible for quality service, meeting/exceeding financial goals, short and long term planning and day-to-day operations. Recommends the Sales budget, marketing/business plans, capital expenditures and manages within approved plans and objectives. This position directly manages assigned staff and indirectly manages all subordinates. Articulates Company goals to the staff. Demonstrates commitment to these goals through work ethic, integrity and respect for the Company and associates. Unites associates in a common commitment to achieve and exceed these goals. Works closely with management throughout the hotel and the Company. Impresses customers and guests with quality and timely service in a pleasant and friendly manner.

Sales/Profitability – Knowledgeable on market, positioning of hotel, amenities and brand. Understand booking patterns, trends, high demand times, and events in the market. Research and understand demand generators, new business sources, the internet as a prospecting tool, community involvement and networking. Research competing hotels and identify sales strategies. Understand and use industry reports like Star Reports, etc. Develop effective sales strategies to counter the competition. Meet / exceed personal booking goals and motivate staff to do same. Influence and convince customers to select the hotel for their hospitality needs. Negotiate terms and reconcile differences. Develop contingency plans and act promptly and effectively when closing problems arise. Develop valuable business relationships that result in additional sales and new customers to capture a larger share of the local market. Aggressively pursue all appropriate opportunities for customer solicitation and relationship building. Aggressively engage in creative networking, uncovering and cold calling prospective clients to generate activity for future business. Develop, recommend, implement and manage the Sales annual budget, business/marketing plan, and objectives to meet/exceed expectations. Market the hotel and services to meet/exceed sales and financial objectives. Ensure sales costs are within budgeted guidelines. Review vendors and products to ensure procurement of top quality products at minimum prices. If necessary, develop action steps to correct any expense problems. Submit recommendations for changes and improvements to the General Manager.

Asset Management - Walk the operations daily to identify issues and to speak with and listen to associates. Ensure associates are properly trained in sales techniques and procedures. Ensure adequate controls are installed and maintained for the protection of the hotel's financial assets against loss or misappropriation. Ensure preventative maintenance programs are in place to protect assets and maintenance related problems are reported to Engineering through proper channels. Inspect and evaluate the condition of the Sales area and equipment. Submit recommendations for changes and improvements to the General Manager. Work collaboratively with the Corporate Office to ensure Company assets are accurately tracked. Ensure associates are properly trained in the use and maintenance of Company assets.

Leadership – Direct all facets of sales. Keep abreast of brand standards and the competition's products and strengths to continually improve revenues and profit margins while maintaining quality. Use business/management knowledge, applications in the industry, and experiences to provide leadership, both internally and externally, to assist the General Manager in positioning the hotel as a market leader. Be a coach with a positive attitude on a daily basis. Implement, manage and comply with Company policies, practices and programs. Ensure compliance with brand standards and local, state and national regulations. Ensure optimal levels of quality service and hospitality are provided to guests. Regular and timely attendance with high standards of personal behavior, appearance and grooming including wearing the proper nametag when working.

Education and Experience:

High school education plus a degree in sales & marketing, hospitality management, culinary arts or related major. Five or more years of related experience. Familiarity with hospitality industry practices preferred.

Skills and Abilities: This position requires a substantial and successful track record in profitable sales management while maintaining integrity and professional bearing. Possess knowledge of accounting and budgeting along with the ability to compile facts/figures and analyze information that involves data manipulation or interpretation to arrive at logical conclusions. Ability to anticipate and identify issues and exercise initiative to investigate, interpret and weigh alternatives to reach logical conclusions and make sound business decisions. Possess knowledge of hospitality, business and basic accounting principles and practices. Effective listening, verbal, written, negotiation and closing skills. Ability to assess customer needs, understand market dynamics and prepare presentations/proposals tailored for individual customers. Ability to meet/exceed expectations for prospecting calls, appointments, presentations, proposals and closes. Ability to achieve customer satisfaction. Display consistent professional leadership while simultaneously handling competing and changing priorities and projects. Remain positive, resourceful and possess the ability to improvise while working in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure. The ability to effectively and efficiently schedule, manage and delegate work. Appropriately and effectively interview, hire, motivate, develop, monitor and address staff performance matters. Possess professionalism, diplomacy and confidentiality. Computer proficiency in Microsoft office along with the ability to travel when needed. Must satisfy and comply with the legal requirements for employment within the jurisdiction.

Benefits:

Full benefits package included for full-time employees!

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurances
• Disability Insurances
• Supplemental Life Insurances
• Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off, Vacation and Holidays
• AMAZING HOTEL DISCOUNTS
• and MUCH MORE

EEO/M/F/VET/DISABLED