Director of Banquet and Conference Service

The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, set to open its doors in the vibrant heart of Bangkok, will be the first Fairmont brand in Thailand. This 416-room luxury hotel, taking design inspiration from the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and contemporary dynamism, will offer an exquisite blend of traditional Thai aesthetics and modern sophistication. Positioned as an urban resort, our guests will be able to enjoy a very special and unique range of offerings such as eight dining and bar venues including a rooftop terrace, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, an extensive gym and an entire floor of wellness spa. For corporate and social groups, the Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit will offer two ballrooms, as well as eight meeting rooms, making it an outstanding destination for meetings, conferencing and events. The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit is set to become the social epicenter of Bangkok, embodying our belief that a Fairmont is a truly special place!

This position is responsible for the overall supervision and strategic management of all Banqueting and Conference operations to maximize guest satisfaction and department profitability. As a key leader, you will be instrumental in ensuring that every event truly embodies our inspirational dream to show the world that true luxury is inclusive, by making special happen and turning moments into special memories.

Key Responsibilities:

Banquet and Conference Operations:

• Work closely with Sales and Marketing colleagues, acting as a sales champion for the hotel, to generate and follow up on business referrals and potential sales leads, maximizing business for the hotel and ensuring every guest interaction is an invitation to surprise.
• Proactively assist in the design and implementation of attractive banquet and conference packages, always seeking innovative ways to promote them and reflect our belief that true luxury today is inclusive.
• Coordinate seamlessly with the Purchasing Department for specific requirements relating to Banqueting and Conferences, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to create attractive food products and presentations that support the luxurious image of the hotel, ensuring high quality and memorable dining experiences.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the highest policies and standards of Banquet and Conference Operations, reflecting our commitment to consistently deliver a balanced scorecard.
• Possess full knowledge of:
  • Function room capacities and various set-ups, available space and rental charges.
  • Menus and pricing, ensuring attractive and competitive offerings.
  • Guarantee, Cancellation, and Payment policies.
  • Corkage fees and miscellaneous pricing (floral, entertainment, etc.).
  • Shipping and receiving policies.
• Conduct thorough post-event follow-ups with clients to ensure guest satisfaction and to solicit rebooking, demonstrating our commitment to building lasting relationships and in giving colleagues the freedom to create special, personalized experiences for our guests.
• Monitor, handle, and process all billing/payment procedures according to Accounting standards, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
• Implement and enforce safety and emergency procedures when necessary, prioritizing the well-being of our guests and colleagues.
• Supervise the meticulous maintenance of all public areas to be presentable with specific set-ups at all times, reflecting our belief in the importance of every detail.
• Maintain accurate inventory stock of all equipment on and off the property.
• Ensure proper care, security, and maintenance of all Banquet and Conference equipment through proper supervision of service personnel, including outside contractors.

Team Management:

• Interview, select, recruit, and develop a high-performing Banquet and Conference team, identifying and nurturing talent with potential. Our colleagues are the heart and soul of our hotels.
• Conduct regular performance reviews with the team, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional growth.
• Constantly monitor team members’ appearance, attitude, and degree of professionalism, ensuring they embody our character traits of being special, surprising, indulgent, empathetic, approachable, genuine, timeless, and accountable.
• Develop, conduct, and maintain all staff training programs for team members, focusing on their development needs, providing them with new skills to meet the changing needs of the business, and fostering a culture where we are connectors.
• Prepare weekly staff schedules, meticulously balancing anticipated business, operating budgets, and our unwavering standards of service.
• Conduct monthly departmental meetings to provide information to team members, obtain their feedback, rectify operation issues, and provide a regular forum for department communication, reinforcing our commitment to celebrating and connecting our past, present, and future.
• Manage organization and cleanliness of departmental areas by conducting weekly walk-throughs with the Hygiene Manager, Housekeeping, and Engineering Department, ensuring a pristine environment for our guests and colleagues.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Management of the hotel.

Prospective & Expectation:

At Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, we believe that everyone is the Guest Service, Security, Sales & Marketing, and Human Resources Person. This means:

• Guest Service: Every interaction is an opportunity to delight and create a truly special experience, reflecting our commitment to turning moments into special memories.
• Security: We are all responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our guests and colleagues.
• Sales & Marketing: We actively identify and pursue opportunities to promote our exceptional offerings and enhance the hotel's reputation.
• Human Resources: We contribute to a positive and supportive work environment, fostering growth and well-being for our team members. We hold ourselves accountable to helping make our community a better place.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Diploma in Hospitality Management/Food & Beverage preferred.
• Additional certification(s) in Food & Beverage will be an advantage.
• Extensive experience in all aspects of banquet and conference service.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a similar capacity with a proven record in delivering exceptional banquet and conference operating results.
• Excellent reading, writing, and oral proficiency in English language.
• Good working knowledge of MS Excel, Word, & PowerPoint.

Competencies:

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and training skills, enabling you to inspire and guide your team.
• Exceptional communication and customer contact skills, allowing you to connect authentically with guests and colleagues.
• Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English and Thai is a must, essential for creating truly personalized and approachable experiences that connect genuinely with our diverse local and international guests and colleagues, ensuring every interaction turns into a special memory.
• Proficiency in a third language will be considered a significant advantage
• Results and service-oriented with an unwavering eye for details, ensuring every event is flawlessly executed.
• Ability to multi-task, work well in stressful & high-pressure situations, maintaining composure and efficiency.
• A true team player & builder, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
• A motivator & self-starter, consistently seeking opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Well-presented and professionally groomed at all times, embodying the elegance and sophistication of the Fairmont brand.