Conference Services Manager Requisition ID 2024-60341 Category Food and Beverage Job Location US-LA-New Orleans Property The Riverfront Hotel Compensation Type Yearly Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

Location

Located just steps away from top Big Easy attractions in the Arts District and French Quarter, this luxury hotel reflects the charm and mystery of New Orleans. Enjoy newly renovated accommodations and the flawless service of a professional, courteous staff that knows how to take care of everything.

Overview

The Conference Services Manager is responsible for coordinating and supervising assigned group business after it is booked by the sales department, and through completion of the event or function, while maintaining profitable operations and high-quality products and service levels. He/she is expected to market ideas to promote business;

Reduce employee turnover; Maintain revenue and payroll budgets; and meet budgeted productivity while keeping quality consistently high. The Meeting Services Manager is also responsible for acting as a liaison between client and operating departments to ensure a successful meeting and to generate repeat business.

Responsibilities Anticipate client and individual guest needs associated with execution of eventResolve complaints and requests to client satisfaction.Maintain complete knowledge of daily scheduled group functions, times, locations, amount of people and specified requirements.Review sales and labor costs for previous day; resolve discrepancies with Accounting. Track actuals against budget.Manage group room blocks up until contracted “cut off”Prepare accurate deposit invoicesReview Final bill for completeness and accuracy.Prepare and distribute, in a timely manner, accurate Banquet event orders.Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.Follow up on all turnoverswithin 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.Know meeting room setups and capabilities.Know sleeping room configurations and types.Respond to requests by Meeting Planners immediately.Use the Partnership Agreement to meet client needs.Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.Create, review and revise rooming lists and VIP lists.Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.Manage the function book and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One-to-One Training, etc.)Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Director of Catering.Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and quality.Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled. Qualifications

Education & Experience: 

At least 2 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 4yearcollege degree; or a 2yearCollege degree and 1 or more years of related experience.

Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing

 

Physical requirements:

Flexible and long hours sometimes required.Medium work Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.General Requirements 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.Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.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 include wearing nametags.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.Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.Perform other duties as requested by management.
Highgate Hotels, L.P. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains the policy of recruiting and retaining the best-qualified personnel who demonstrate the ability to perform competently and work well with others. It is the policy of Highgate Hotels to provide equal employment opportunity regardless of race (including traits historically or culturally associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion (including religious dress and religious grooming), color, age (40 and over), genetic information, disability (mental and physical), medical condition (as defined under state law), national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license issued under section 12801.9 of the California Vehicle Code), ancestry, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression), sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, parental status, domestic partner status, citizenship status, pregnancy (including perceived pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or pregnancy-related conditions), military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy of nondiscrimination is applied to all aspects of the employment relationship. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws in ensuring equal opportunity and employment for qualified persons with disabilities. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

The following link provides more information regarding the Federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment: EEO is the Law – Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.