Catering Services Manager

Fairmont Dallas, located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, offers 545 elegant guestrooms and suites, with over 73,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. For over 50 years, Fairmont Dallas has been the setting for countless civic, social cultural, convention and corporate events, setting the stage for countless memories.

Responsible for the management of all aspects and functions of the events assigned by the Director, Conference Services in accordance with hotel standards. Coordinate arrangements and details for clients' functions.  Maintain a philosophy, which serves as a guide to Conference Services staff.

• Primary focus for this role will entail servicing all Local Events (Gala's, Weddings, Fundraisers, Day Meetings) with the opportunity to assist the corporate event programs
• Organize bookings from date of booking to departure, including meeting requirements, guest room requirements, guest room pickup, food and beverage, and audio visual. 
• Create detailed floor plans, resumes, and banquet event orders for seamless execution of programs.
• Conduct memorable pre-planning tours, pre/post pre-conferences, and tastings.
• Engage and encourage team members by being a role model 
• Establish and maintain rapport with all clientele and internal hoteliers
• Flexible Schedule which includes working on weekends required for this role
• Effectively handle multiple programs and ensure the successful completion of all job duties
• Contact client and maintain effective communication throughout planning and while on site
• Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental policies/service procedures/standards
• Anticipate guests’ needs, respond promptly and acknowledge all guests 
• Maintain positive guest and colleague relations at all times
• Be familiar with all hotel services/features and local attractions/activities to respond to guest inquiries
• Resolve guest complaints, ensuring guest satisfaction
• Ensure appropriate upselling opportunities are taken to maximize revenue potential
• Daily scheduled group functions, times, locations, amount of people and specified requirements
• Understand the location of all hotel function space and names of function rooms
• Understand all styles of meeting and banquet room sets and banquet room capacities
• Retrieve and organize Banquet Event Orders (B.E.O.'s) according to departmental standards
• Document daily set-up requirements according to departmental procedures / attach respective diagrams
• Inspect pre-set scheduled function areas/rooms for cleanliness, working condition and proper furniture/equipment set up; rectify any deficiencies with respective departments
• Monitor and ensure that functions are set up, refreshed and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and departmental procedures
• Conduct pre-function meeting and review all information pertinent to set-up and service of group
• Constantly monitor staff performance in all phases of service and job functions, ensuring that all procedures are carried out to departmental standards and as requested on the B.E.O.’s; bring any deficiencies with respective department personnel
• Maintain Communication between client and operations team
• Inspect all meal periods and be present until entrée course is served for all plated functions
• Assist staff with their job functions to ensure optimum cleanliness and service standards for guests
• Coordinate group's requests for additions/changes to scheduled arrangements
• Direct the final breakdown of function room and clean up
• Monitor storage and delivery of group packages
• Maintain a personal organization system for files and paperwork within departmental guidelines
• Contact clients after scheduled functions to ensure guest satisfaction and to solicit re-bookings.
• Attend daily B.E.O. review meetings; resolve any discrepancies.
• Attend designated meetings, menu and wine tastings.
• Foster and promote a cooperative working climate, maximizing productivity and employee morale.
• Full knowledge of the event menus and ability to upsell
• Manage all deposits and billing for all clients through until final bill is paid

• University/College degree in a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in hotel catering or banquets preferred.
• Previous experience in food service.
• Certification of previous training in liquor, wine and food service.
• Certification in an alcohol awareness program.
• Ability to input and access information in the property management system/computers/point of sales system.
• Creative talent.
• Knowledge of various food service styles (i.e., French service, Russian service, tableside flambé service, Butler style service).
• Knowledge of menu development.
• Knowledge of accommodating room capacities.
• Knowledge of all styles of room set-ups, standard equipment involved and proper handling of such.
• Knowledge of organizing set-up requirements from information on Banquet Event Orders (B.E.O.'s).
• Knowledge of staffing guidelines/requirements to set-up, turn and breakdown function spaces.
• Ability to suggestively sell.
• Compute basic arithmetic.
• Familiarity with food and beverage cost controls.
• Familiarity with Sales and Marketing tools.
• Ability to:
• perform job functions with attention to detail,  speed and accuracy.
• prioritize and organize.
• be a clear thinker, remaining calm and resolving problems using good judgement.
• follow directions thoroughly.
• understand guest’s service needs.
• work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team.
• work with minimal supervision.
• maintain confidentiality of guest information and pertinent hotel data.
• ascertain departmental training needs and provide such training.
• direct performance of staff and follow up with corrections when needed

What’s in it for you:

• Paid time off
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Complimentary Shift Meal
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates in Accor worldwide.
• Learning programs through our Academy designed to sharpen your skills.
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities, such as Planet 21
• Career development opportunities with national and international promotion opportunities