Banquet Director

Company: The Hotel at Auburn University
Location: Auburn
Posted on: June 12, 2021

Job Description:

Selects, trains, and directs the banquet team in setting and servicing all on-site and off-site events in order to ensure a successful function. Oversees 25,000 square feet of on-site banquet space in a AAA 4 Diamond Hotel, The Jay & Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, and manages off-site venues for Auburn University.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and list the key responsibilities for this position.

• Select, schedule, and train all banquet team members. Works closely with the Banquet leadership team to train, develop, mentor team members and ensuring banquet team delivers gracious and thoughtful service.

• Ensure that the set-up of function rooms to include placement of tables, chairs, staging, linens, silver, china, and glassware are set to event order specifications. Visually inspect function rooms and equipment prior to functions for cleanliness, proper inventory, and set-up.

• Verbally communicate, in a calm, positive demeanor, during the course of the function with the kitchen, service, beverage, conference services, and engineering staffs, as well as the guest host to ensure timely execution of events, quality service, and adherence to all applicable federal, state, local safety and health regulations and corporate standards.

• Ensure event space is left clean and organized for future events following event ending.

• Ensure banquet checks are rang in and accounted for daily.

• Conduct huddle with banquet team daily to ensure they are knowledgeable about dishes, cooking methods, menu items, specials, etc.

• Work closely with the culinary team on menu preferences for events as well as banquet menu updates. Ensure preferences and updates are communicated out in a timely matter to the banquet team.

• Work closely with the sales team on ensuring that event logistics can be done reasonably and that client expectations can be met.

• Conduct site visits for off site venues to ensure that day of operations and logistics can run smoothly.

• Supervise & manages team members of all day-to-day operations. Has the ability to fully understand all positions well enough to perform all duties in team members absence.

• Upholds Ithaka Hospitality Partners standards of excellence throughout all guests' interactions.

• Provides coaching and counseling notices to team members when applicable.

• Work with the Banquet leaders to ensure all new team members are going through their certification gates through Paycor within 12 shifts worked after orientation.

• Conduct monthly departmental meetings with the banquet teams to focus on continuous training, feedback, upcoming events, etc.

• Maintain profitability of conference center to support overall hotel operation. Control payroll and equipment costs (minimizing loss and misuse). Ensure par stock levels are maintained by calculating inventory, ordering, and retrieving supplies. Develop and implement cost-saving and profit-enhancing measures.

• Assist the Food & Beverage leadership team with Auburn University classroom teaching opportunities to include Guest lecturing at Auburn University and overseeing the banquet practicum rotations each semester at The Hotel at Auburn University.

• Communicate with guests and employees using a positive and clear speaking voice, listen to and understand requests, respond with appropriate actions and provide accurate information.

• Remain calm and alert, especially during emergency situation and/or heavy hotel activity, serving as a role model for the team and other hotel team members.

• Ensure basic standard operating procedures for all outlets are in place and are in compliance with Federal, state, local and Ithaka's own practices. (eg. ServSafe, Responsible Vendor)

• Ensuring that all steps of services as outlines in training materials are being followed on a daily basis.

• Interact positively with customers promoting hotel facilities and services. Resolve problems to the satisfaction of involved parties. Answer telephones in a clear voice, coordinate and document reservations. Organize special events in the restaurant such as receptions. Maintain rapport with all departments and attend relevant meetings.

• Move throughout the facility and kitchen areas to visually monitor and take action to ensure food quality and service standards are met. Verify temperatures, judge appearance and taste of products and check preparation methods to determine quality. Give guidance toward improvement and make necessary adjustments for consistency.

• Ensure that all standards and hotel cash handling procedures are met.

• Solicit feedback from guests concerning the service and food & beverage offerings throughout various functions and events.

• Work closely with the Food & Beverage leadership team in monthly beverage inventory and quarterly china/glass/silver/linen inventory.

• Ensure all daily and monthly reports are detailed and submitted in a timely matter.

• Ensure that The Hotel at Auburn University's 4DX process is being followed on a daily and monthly basis.

• Attends daily and weekly meetings such as Banquet Event Order Meetings (daily), Operations Meeting, Walkthrough and Leaders Meeting (weekly).

• Ensure all the food & beverage equipment are well kept and clean through our CARE Process

• Orders supplies and linens for functions generating purchase orders.

• Ensure Banquet Event Orders, 10 Day and Forecasting reports are used accurately to schedule and plan for events on and off site.

• Assist servers and captains with the execution of events according to the event order and Ithaka standards for excellence.

• SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Must have comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage preparations, service standards, guest relations and etiquette in a AAA 4 Diamond Hotel environment.

• Knowledge of all applicable federal, state and local health and safety regulations.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the English language in order to read event orders and effectively communicate with guests and employees.

• Physical activities include walking, talking, seeing, hearing, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, handling, fingering.

• Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time.

• Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to work in very fast paced environment with considerable noise and interruptions.

• Must be able to change activity frequently.

• Must be able to drive and operate the catering truck for any off-site events.

Education"

Any combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. High School education required. Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent preferred.

Experience:

Three years of banquet leadership experience in a AAA 4 Diamond Hotel operation or similar.

Grooming:

All employees must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance (specific standards available).

Keywords: The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn , Banquet Director, Other , Auburn, Alabama