Director of Catering

The Colonnade Hotel, a four-diamond hotel with 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay is seeking a Director of Catering.

The Director of Catering is responsible for the execution of sales strategies to maximize hotel profitability while maintaining customer satisfaction measures. They are responsible for the Catering team proactively prospecting, facilitating and closing catering business opportunities and event managing definite group business.

Role Overview

The Colonnade Hotel is seeking a Director of Catering to oversee all aspects of our catering and conference services operations.

Responsibilities include supervision of the catering and convention services teams in their day-to-day roles and maintaining and monitoring the accuracy and effectiveness of all written communications, including but not limited to: Contracts, Proposals, Banquet Event Orders, forecasts, and daily reports.

This is an in-person role.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of DOC experience in a hotel environment.
• College degree preferred or similar experience.
• Requires excellent written and verbal communication skills and oral proficiency in the English language.
• Proven interpersonal skills with a track record of successful client interactions.
• Coaching and People Development Skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and supplemental insurance options, along with a 401(k) retirement plan. Employees receive paid holidays, vacation, and sick time, as well as employer-paid life and AD&D coverage. Additional perks include complimentary meals, uniform dry cleaning, tuition reimbursement, and discounted guest rooms for family and friends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain training and retraining programs for all Catering Sales and Conference Services associates.
• Develop and conduct persuasive verbal sales presentations to prospective clients.
• Schedule and assign in detail, specific duties to all associates under supervision for the efficient operation of the Catering and Convention Services Department, coverage of functions in accordance with productivity standards.
• Solicit new accounts, review previous event contracts, and lost business reports to generate business.
• Formulate compelling and persuasive proposals; negotiate and prepare contracts.
• Ensure accurate and timely Banquet Event Orders.
• Facilitate Banquet Event Order meetings with catering, convention services, and operations teams.
• Ensure timely and accurate information is logged into Sales CRM in accordance with departmental SOPS.
• Formulate and make revisions to weekly, monthly, and annual forecasts.
• Assist in the development and update of beverage minimum spend expectations, room rental schedules, free sell dates, and upselling benchmarks to respond to market demands.
• Optimize revenue generation by ensuring rental, food, and beverage minimums and upselling initiatives are in place and deployed by the catering sales team.
• Create and drive the event timeline from contract negotiation to post-conference wrap-up.
• Manage post-event activities: organize and lead meetings with Hotel Operations Departments; recommend improvements.
• Create menus, special themes, and signature items in tandem with the Culinary team.
• Maintain close communication with the setup team & AV Department sales and setup.

About The Colonnade

The Colonnade has provided warm hospitality to Boston visitors and residents for 50 years. A dynamic Back Bay landmark whose opening launched the neighborhood’s renaissance in the early 1970s, The Colonnade is home to the city’s only Roof Top Pool. The property boasts 285 sophisticated guest rooms, including nine luxury suites. In 2020, the property debuted a full redesign and celebrated the opening of its new restaurant, LUCIE drink + dine. LUCIE offers neighborhood charm and a globally inspired kitchen, serving daily breakfast and dinner, and weekend brunch. Today, The Colonnade remains one of the city’s few family-owned, independent hotels. Ideally located, The Colonnade is in close proximity to Newbury Street, Copley Place, The Shops at Prudential Center, Hynes Convention Center, Museum of Fine Arts, The Gardner Museum, Northeastern University and many of Boston’s finest museums, galleries, and iconic sites including Symphony Hall and Fenway Park. The Colonnade Hotel is a member of Preferred Hotel’s LIFESTYLE Collection.