What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Catering Sales position at Harwood Hospitality Group?
Harwood Hospitality Group
Harwood Hospitality Group delivers an escape from the ordinary through a growing collection of concepts in the Harwood District of Dallas. The hospitality group features catering and a world of culinary experiences with a current collection of 18 concepts plus our luxury boutique property, Hotel Swexan in the 19-city-block Harwood District, with more experiences currently in development.
Our mission is to allow both our associates and our guests to Escape the Ordinary. For our associates, this means being a part of a mutual long-term vision driven by doing things differently with creativity, passion, and style. We then allow guests to feel transported to different parts of the world without leaving the comforts of their own city. We deliver our mission by providing unparalleled hospitality, exceptional service, and culinary excellence that leaves unforgettable memories and instills deep loyalty.
Director of Catering Sales
The Director of Catering Sales is responsible for managing the Harwood Catering department and related teams and ensuring that all set goals and objectives are met in every aspect of operations, financials, guest satisfaction, and employee engagement. A forward thinker and a strong planner, The Director of Catering Sales will establish and ensure that all SOPs and best practices are implemented and followed.
The Director of Catering is responsible for driving revenues and setting and meeting ambitious sales goals for their team and themselves. They are the leading salesperson of the team.
The Director of Catering Sales constantly interacts with management and staff (at all levels) and with other Harwood Hospitality venues in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, always remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient, with a high level of professionalism.
Job Functions:
- Developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve catering revenue goals.
- Leading and managing a team of catering sales professionals.
- Building and maintaining relationships with clients to drive repeat business and referrals.
- Collaborating with the culinary team to create tailored menus and offerings for clients.
- Planning menus in consultation with chefs when required and updating the catering menus for price and menu changes as needed.
- Monitoring market trends and competitor activity to adjust sales strategies accordingly.
- Managing budgetary goals and ensuring profitability for the catering department.
- Overseeing event coordination and ensuring high customer satisfaction.
- Collaborating with marketing teams to promote catering services and drive sales.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for groups and social catering guests planning events at Harwood Hospitality.
- Is responsible for heavy calendar management, requiring interaction with both internal and external constituents, to coordinate a variety of complex executive meetings.
- Prioritizes and manages multiple projects simultaneously and follows through on issues on time.
- Constantly is aware of new business opportunities, both in the social/wedding market and in the group market to routinely handle familiarization visits for potential future business.
- Monitors social media feeds and feedback and ensures all information on the Harwood catering webpage is accurate and current.
- Plans new promotions and initiatives and contributes to business development.
- Keeps current with trends in the restaurant industry.
Required Education & Preferred Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality or a related field.
- 10 years of catering sales experience.
- Experience in the hospitality industry. Experience in luxury hospitality preferred.
- Leadership skills for a wide range of events.
