Executive Director Of Events

Principal Purpose of Job:
The primary responsibility of the Executive Director of Events and Banquets is to convert leads and inquiries into successful and well planned events in the group, wedding, and social catering markets. The successful candidate will accomplish this by leading the short and long term planning of the Event Services Department and Banquet Department at Devil's Thumb Ranch to achieve customer satisfaction and quality service while meeting or exceeding financial goals. This position will provide for effective supervision and development of the event services and banquet teams in line with personal and organizational goals. The Director will provide open communication externally and collaboratively within the departments. This position is responsible for identifying new areas of growth for the organization while keeping in line with the revenue and mission goals of the departments. In this full-time position, you'll have an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and make a positive difference at a unique destination.
In addition, working with the Senior Manager, Meetings and Special Events and Banquet Manager, this exciting role will develop and implement the total sales strategies of the catering department, including securing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and executing tactical sales plans to maximize the profitability of the Ranch. The Executive Director of Banquets and Events is also responsible for managing the event services team consisting of four managers and an administrative assistant (shared with group sales) as well as Banquet Captains and servers/bartenders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines. Work closely with the Food and Beverage Director and Executive Chef on menu concepts and pricing for catering events.
• Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals. Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the Ranch. Complete forecasts, plans, and sales production reports.
• Responsible for daily operations of the Conference Group business, Special Events & Concerts, Weddings, and other F&B establishments that prepare, serve and provide an elevated F&B experience and meeting room space to our guests.
• Attend all pre-cons, post-cons, BEO meetings and F&B meetings weekly.
• Direct the day-to-day activities of the event services and banquet team. Advise staff of formal policies and procedures.
• Hire, promote, terminate, counsel, discipline and evaluate catering staff and maintain employee files. Conduct 90-day and annual performance reviews of all direct reports.
• Ensure adequate daily coverage in the Event office and all inquiries are responded to within 24 hours. Prepare and adjust work schedules in accordance with staffing guidelines and labor forecasts and process payroll for direct reports accordingly.
• Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing/human resources-related actions in accordance with Company rules and policies. Alert management of potentially serious issues.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include Executive Chef, other sales staff, Banquet Department and/or Event Services staff, and Executive Committee members.

Guest Experience Responsibilities:

• Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc. Arrange all details of conventions and or catering events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services, and approved method of payment.
• Assign wedding, wedding related and social catering bookings to Special Events Manager upon receipt of signed contracts.
• Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner. Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients in accordance with company and property policy.
• Solve, rectify and mediate all group planner and guest complaints.
• Identify operational problems that impact the effectiveness of overall catering sales performance and work closely with appropriate Departments on solutions.
• Establish client base of organizations, associations and commercial business through direct outside sales efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel. Accurately produce and/or review all catering contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
• Develop, train and motivate a catering team that is responsible for developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and implementing catering strategies to achieve catering revenue goals and maximize profits for the hotel, while maintaining guest satisfaction. Develop and maintain relationships with key clients in support of food & beverage sales, and catering/banquet services.
• Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meeting with clients, guests, and catering staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• Participate in meeting including, weekly sales meeting, staff meetings, manager's meetings and all employee meetings.
• Provide an issue free work environment through motivation, support, consistency, training and development for all associates.
• Coordinate and oversee all internal company events such as New Hire Orientation, Tommelfest and Holiday Schedule.
• Complete periodic audits of the account and booking data in property managements systems to include events, deposits, payments, room blocks and invoices.
• Performs regular reviews of Accounts Receivable ensuring past due balances as they pertain to groups are collected in a timely manner.
• Make timely and impromptu decisions, which balance client's need with the financial, safety and staffing goals of the property.
• Find solutions to the inevitable challenges and glitches that arise while groups are on property and keep the Senior Director of Sales and the rest of the Executive Committee promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters so prompt corrective action can be taken where appropriate.
• Maintain positive and productive relationships with internal departments and operations, including, but not limited to; front desk, reservations, food and beverage, banquets, housekeeping, and activities. Mind the chain of command and adhere to correct reporting structures.
• Possess current, up-to-date knowledge pertaining to all Devil's Thumb Ranch, Trailhead Inn, Vasquez Creek Inn, Volario's and Caffé Giocondo's products, pricing, and strategies relevant to the group market segment.
• Maintain a high level of customer service with guests and employees.
• Prepares regular, weekly and monthly sales reports promptly and accurately including inquiries, sales manager production, aged A/R and pace reports.
• Perform any and all other duties pertinent to the overall success of our Sales department and group business.

Requirements
Personal Attributes:
• Must have strong organizational skills (written and verbal) and computer skills.
• Resort Suite or similar PMS system a plus.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings/weekends/holidays as required.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Outgoing, personable, friendly with the ability to coach and develop teams.
• Superior attention to detail.
• Adaptability, capable of multi-tasking.
Education/Experience:

• College degree and CMP preferred.
• Minimum 5 years hospitality experience in a resort/full service environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge in all aspect of catering/banquets and event sales required.
• Experience effectively managing a team with over 15 team members.
• Must have demonstrated success managing departmental profit and loss categories.

Special Skills/Equipment:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, to include Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Ability to quickly learn web-based computer systems.
• Prior experience with HRIS, ATS and timekeeping systems preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Wage Range:
90k - 110k/Annually. Competitive pay commensurate with education and experience. Bonus Potential.
Perks/Privileges of Employment:

• PT & FT Hours or Seasonal Summer employment available
• 152 hours of Paid Time Off if FT, Year Round employment status
• Affordable furnished housing, if working a minimum of 35 hours/week or more
• Health, Dental & Life & Vision Insurances, plus 401k Employer Match of up to $2,000 annually-if FT, Year-Round employment status
• Employer-sponsored monthly events such as Avalanche, Rockies & Nuggets games, Zip-lining, Snow-tubing, Hiking, Bowling, Recreation Center, etc.
• Employer-sponsored Softball and Hockey leagues
• Wellness Program opportunities including meditation, complimentary daily Yoga, trail running & mountain-biking workshops
• 25% discounts at all Devil's Thumb Ranch restaurants, activities including Trail Rides, and Spa Treatments
• Overtime for hours worked over 40/week
• Discounted Winter Park Ski Resort season pass (available annually in season) or 1/2 price Grand Park Rec Center Pass
• Referral bonus of $250 if we hire someone you refer

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.
Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary Description
90,000.00 - 110,000.00