CONVENTION SERVICES MANAGER AT THE READ HOUSE HOTEL

The Read House Sales and Catering Department is seeking an experienced Convention Services Manager to join its team! You should be driven to succeed to coordinate sales and catering events with a professional, proactive, and detailed approach!

Chattanooga’s award-winning historic hotel, The Read House, has been hosting guests and visitors since 1872! Start a new career journey with classic elegance at The Read House Hotel!

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER

Location: 107 West MLK Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Salary: Salary / Based Upon Experience

Benefits:

• A Culture that Values Passion, Individuality, and Fun!
• Opportunities for Internal Growth and Development
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Earned Wage Access through PayActiv- access to your earned wages before payday!
• Affordable Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Plans
• Company Provided & Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Traditional 401(k) & Roth 401(k) with Employer Match up to 3.5%
• Referral Bonus Program
• Access to Earned Wages
• Hotel & Restaurant Discounts at Avocet Hospitality Properties
• Employee Meal Option
• Starbucks Discount
• Garage Parking Discount

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As a the Convention Services Manager, you will coordinate arrangements for group meetings, conferences and social events as required. You will act as liaison between all departments as necessary in assisting the customer in all aspects of planning and successfully executing an event.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Create detailed Banquet Event Orders to meet the specifications of the client, manage room blocks, food and beverage requirements, meeting room setups, billing, and other additional needs of the client
• Communicate and enforce contractual agreements to the client pertaining to meeting space, food and beverage, special concessions and collection of attrition charges owed
• Ensure all guest checks, payments, master folios, and advanced deposits are submitted to accounting
• Provide accurate and concise information to all departments including facilitation in BEO and group resume meetings and relaying any changes to applicable departments with urgency and in a timely manner to facilitate a successful catering or group function
• Collaborate with culinary operations to assist in development, design, and customization and implementation of event menus
• Maintain proper documentation of events, changes, and/ or special requests with updated banquet event orders, group resumes, and rooming lists; including accurate and up-to-date information in the Delphi system
• Organize and conduct site visits, pre-planning visits, pre and post-convention meetings
• Greet all clients upon arrival and function as the on-site contact to client and address challenges or concerns immediately
• Maximize revenue by selling all facets of the hotel to include food and beverage outlets for upselling
• Work in coordination with outside vendors as needed to ensure client satisfaction.
• Maintain regular and punctual on-site attendance with the ability to work a flexible schedule which may include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays when business requires

Job Requirements

Education/ Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Post Graduate or Degree in relevant field preferred
• Two to fours years of related banquet, catering, event planning experience preferred
• Experience within luxury, lifestyle or independent hotels preferred

Skills:

• Ability to prioritize and remain highly organized at work assignments
• Excellent computer skills, such as typing and use of various computer software
• Excellent communication skills with guests, team members, and management
• Proficiency in restaurant POS, reservation, and/or inventory applications
• Ability to access and accurately input information into the Property Management System (PMS)
• Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills
• Ability to work well in stressful, high-pressure situations.
• Knowledge of Delphi, including merging menus, blocking function space and creating BEO's
• Knowledge of staffing guidelines/ requirements to set-up, turn, and break-down function spaces
• Knowledgeable of top accounts and important clients of the hotel
• Knowledgeable with legal and contractual agreements
• Knowledge of basic hotel procedures including accounting, reservations, front office and food and beverage to act as liaison between departments and customers

Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move up to 30 pounds with or without assistance
• See clearly both near and far to detect cleanliness and discrepancies in event space
• Hear at a basic level
• Excellent verbal communication skills for interaction with guests required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Traverse work areas including the complex, guest rooms, and public areas
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to multitask and work effectively in a high-demand, fast-paced environment with changing variables
• Ability to apply patience and understanding to all persons and situations
• Ability to perform well under pressure to meet the needs of guests, team members and/ or management

Work Environment:

• The work environment includes high guest contact; may involve varying conditions and circumstances with guests, staff, visitors, etc.
• Inside work in an office environment
• Ability to occasionally work varied shifts including weekends and late night events

WHO WE ARE

The Roaring '20s are alive and prosperous in Chattanooga at the Historic Read House Hotel. We embrace the "Great Gatsby" era of grandeur and opulence and project the right balance of luxury and rebellious spirit in everything we do. At the Read House, service reigns supreme. We empower our team through support, growth and camaraderie which is instrumental in our culture of genuine hospitality and taking care of guests at every turn. Take the plunge, and be a part of this fun and exciting journey.

*2022 & 2023 Finalist for Chattanooga’s Best of the Best Hospitality Employer!*

Step back in time and visit The Read House Hotel! (www.thereadhousehotel.com)

EOE / DFWP