Catering & Special Events Manager

Highly motivated and organized candidate with excellent people skills and tremendous patience when dealing with members and accommodate their every need with enthusiasm and poise.  Additionally, she/he works with the Food & Beverage, Banquet, Culinary, and other department teams to execute exceptional service during all events.   The Manager’s goal is to always provide a memorable experience featuring the Club’s magnificent setting and backdrop along with a service experience that exceed expectations.  The position reports directly to the Director of Catering & Special Events and Assistant Director. 

The Catering & Special Events manager is responsible for planning meetings, banquets, and special events for the Club and its members.   This individual is an energetic and engaging “people person” with excellent interpersonal skills including, but not limited to, engagement, communication, cooperation, sensitivity, perception, empathy, and a positive attitude toward others. This individual preserves and promotes the unique culture of the DAC known for service-excellence and goodwill among members, guests and staff.  Additionally, this person is responsible for upholding the Club's standards in all interactions in a professional manner.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meets and greets members and guests, conduct property tours, promote facilities and services, and answer their inquiries.
• Develops menus, write contracts and letters, and organize all other arrangements as they relate to social, private, and corporate events.
• Maintains an accurate trace system to handle workload effectively.
• Directs and organizes the necessary and pertinent information needed for the successful planning and completion of the event, then communicates the information to all the corresponding departmental teams – needs to ensure the accuracy of all coordination, billing, and pricing of each event. 
• Coordinate with Culinary and F&B managers regarding pricing for food and beverage options. 
• Disseminates necessary information to all department leaders in a timely manner.  This includes up-to-date weekly, monthly, and annual events calendar.
• Organizes and attends Pre-cons for special events to communicate all details for upcoming events.
• Prepare and present weekly and monthly catering reports as needed when requested.
• Maintains past and potential members/guests files for efficient record keeping.  Responsible for post-event follow ups, including Thank You notes, satisfaction survey, etc. 
• Calls individual members and guests by telephone to solicit repeat business.
• Welcomes all feedback, including complaints and determines a remedy to the issue.
• Actively engages in the professional development the F&B and Banquet teams to allow for cohesive assistance, working with the ADOC & Director of Catering & Special Events.
• In coordination with the Director of Catering & Special Events, responsible for creating new and strengthening existing Club events to maintain an active, energetic, and engaging schedule of events.
• Helps Manages the Club’s master schedule of catering and special events, including banquet room reservations, to eliminate the possibility of conflicts, overlapping, or double booking.
• Assists with compliance with all Club rules and policies.
• Adhere to all attendance standards of the Club and work varying schedules to reflect the business demand of the position.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED) required.  A degree in any area of hospitality is preferred, but not required.
• Experience in food and beverage service industry required.  5 years is preferred.
• Experience as Catering and/or Special Events Manager for 3 years required
• Minimum of 2-3 years of private club or luxury hotel experience is preferred.
• Experience with Northstar operating system is not required, but preferred.
• Computer knowledge of Microsoft Windows-based programs required. 

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Must have extensive knowledge of food and beverage etiquette, guest relations, and service standards.
• Ability to read, write and speak English language fluently to interact with members and guests.
• Ability to present pertinent event information to staff and members/guests in an organized and timely fashion.
• Anticipate members' needs and wants by being prepared and organized while acting with a sense of urgency.
• Must demonstrate appropriate critical thinking skills, attention to detail, organizational and project management skills.  
• Good analytical skills, including ability to lead, facilitate, plan and organize.
• Basic mathematical skills to complete reports, calculate estimated event charges, determine deposits due and establish minimum revenue requirements.
• Ability to understand and work within the parameters set by various club departments, specifically with respect to reservations, timing and member preferences.
• Must have superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and interact effectively with members, guests, and staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to operate computer and other general office equipment.
• Excellent customer service skills and an open, courteous and friendly personality required.
• Must be able to efficiently handle multiple tasks concurrently while meeting deadlines, prioritizing tasks and providing excellent member service.
• Self-motivated and accepting and adapting to change in a constant and necessary path for involvement and growth.
• Committed, with a strong and visible work ethic that, through personal example, encourages others to get things done.
• Awareness and respect for the ambience, history, culture, taste, and expectations of the members and guests of the Detroit Athletic Club.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Most work tasks are performed indoors. Temperature is moderate and controlled.  Some work may be in varying environment conditions, with exposure to extremes of heat and cold, in both indoor and outdoor facilities.
• Must be able to sit at a desk for a long-extended period of time. Walking and standing are required during some part of the working day. Length of time of these tasks may vary from day to day and task to task.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill certain tasks.
• Physical requirements include: Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.  Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal range.  Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds.