Compensation Type

Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu. Highgate also has a key presence in Barcelona. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $10B and generates over $2B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Location

Situated at the end of famed Canal Street, The Westin New Orleans offers stunning views of the mighty Mississippi River and the French Quarter. Guests are just steps from the Shops at Canal Place and Harrah’s Casino and a short walk to the excitement of Bourbon Street and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The hotel features 462 rooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite, with Westin's signature Heavenly® bedding, 34,000-sq-ft of event space, a fully equipped WestinWORKOUT fitness center, a lobby bar Observatory 11 with the best view of the French Quarter anywhere, and a new restaurant Bistro at the Bend.

Overview

The Front Desk Lead is responsible for assisting the Guest Services Manager and Assistant Guest Services Manager while providing attentive, courteous, and efficient service to all guests, prior to arrival and throughout their stay, while maximizing room revenue and occupancy.

Responsibilities

• Obtain all necessary information when taking room reservations and follow the rate-quoting scenario.Monitor all VIP and special guest requests.
• Review Front Office log and Trace File daily.
• Fully comprehend and operate all relevant aspects of the Front Desk computer system.
• Ensure logging and delivery of all messages, packages, and mail in a timely and professional manner.
• Be aware of all rates, packages, and promotions currently underway as listed in the Red Book.
• Be familiar with all in-house groups.
• Be aware of all closed out and restricted dates.
• Follow and enforce all Highgate Hotel hotel credit policies.
• Be able to complete and ensure that a proper bucket check, room rate verification report, and housekeeping report have been accurately done and filed.
• Maintain proper operation of the P.B.X. console and ensure that all standards are met, if applicable.
• Establish and maintain good communications and teamwork with fellow employees and other departments within the hotel.
• Assist the G.S.M. in ensuring that employees are following and maintaining standards (i.e., answering phones, callbacks to guests, guest request log).
• Have knowledge of and assist in all emergency procedures as required.
• Oversee and ensure that all guests are checked in/out in a friendly, efficient and courteous manner.
• Be able to perform, complete and ensure that all tasks and duties on the shift checklist are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Responsible for issued house bank.
• Be able to perform all duties of Guest Services Agent.
• Run room status reports in a timely manner and relay necessary information to affected departments and individuals.
• Monitor key control to maintain hotel security.
• Ensure the maximization of room revenue through Rooms Merchandising.
• Answer all guest inquiries in a timely and professional nature.
• Be involved in departmental meeting, planning and execution.
• Help maintain productivity levels at or above budgeted standards.
• Assist in training and cross training of new hires and current employees on a regular basis.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 2 to 3 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field required.
• College course work in related field helpful.
• Previous supervisory responsibility preferred.
• Must have a valid driver's license for the applicable state.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which includes wearing the proper uniform and nametag.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.