Catering and Event Manager (The Athenaeum Hotel) /Career Employment

The Catering and Event Manager collaborates with the Director of Sales, sales team, and culinary team to ensure smooth event coordination across all departments. Their main responsibility is to work with the front-of-house staff to plan and execute event setups according to sales orders. Additionally, the Catering and Event Manager serves as the primary point of contact for the culinary team during events, ensuring effective communication and coordination.

About The Work

• To assist clients, maintain a working knowledge of hotel operations, including F&B, Catering, Sales, and Culinary Operations.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of hotel systems including but not limited to Opera, Lightspeed POS, Homebase, and UKG.
• Develop expert knowledge of hotel events and event types to provide recommendations to clients when needed.
• Partner with the hotel sales team to plan catering and event operations.
• Familiar with Event BEOs. Uses information from BEOs to create team checklists and packing slips.
• Assist with scheduling and directing catering staff in event setup and execution.
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training of catering and culinary staff. Leads a continuous training program once the hotel is operational.
• Collaborate with Heirloom management to create consistent training and service standards among all FOH staff.
• Become familiar with and assist with the management of President’s Cottage events year-round. Learn CHQ and Hotel VIP guests and personalize service as appropriate.
• Assist with payroll tasks for seasonal catering staff.
• Manage the day of set up and execution of weddings as assigned by sales.
• Work with culinary to design menus and plan culinary events.
• Assist the culinary team with the initial kitchen setup and end-of-season shut down including the inventory process.
• Works with catering and sales teams to manage off-season events at Bellinger, Golf Course, or other off-site venues.
• Is familiar with all the buildings and venues for catering services and can speak confidently with clients about setting up and using recommendations.
• Manages the catering department budget and creates future year department budgets and forecasting tools.

Physical Requirements & Demands

• High physical activity with approximately 15% of work performed sitting at a desk and using substantial/repetitive motion of fingers, wrists, and hands (including grasping).
• Exerting up to 50 lbs of force and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching when organizing an office, filing paperwork, and managing daily administrative tasks using resources at floor/desk/overhead levels.
• Standing, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting to travel to work events and assist with transportation of materials and/or event set up.
• Visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
• Talking by expressing ideas and conveying instructions as well as hearing to perceive sound with or without corrections. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

About You

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in hotel or restaurant events, or the hospitality industry, required.
• Previous supervisory or managerial experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills (written/verbal) to interact with internal management and staff at all levels, as well as patrons and donors.
• Working knowledge of event planning ‘best practices’/logistics and terminology to communicate effectively with vendors. Exceptional attention to detail coupled with the ability to make quick decisions, take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Must possess excellent attention to detail in relation to job duties and responsibilities coupled with the ability to provide positive client service.
• Ability to navigate multiple high-priority demands/frequent changes in a fast-paced work environment with a balanced level of patience.
• Proficiency in various computer applications, including Property Management System, Catering/Sales Software (Opera), and advanced Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

About Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conference, and events organization. The Institution’s office in Washington, DC is located strategically for an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.

About your Department

Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conference, and events organization.

About Your Work Schedule & Location

This position is at Chautauqua Institution’s main campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County). The schedule is full time and may include daytime and evening hours, weekdays, and weekends, especially in the busy summer operating season and holidays as required. The position will be based on the main campus in Chautauqua, New York, but Chautauqua Institution is accepting applicants interested in remote or hybrid work for this position. For compliance purposes, candidates must reside in the following states to be considered for employment: IL, IN, MD, NC, & Washington DC.

Employer provided housing options may be available for this position.

Total Rewards for Our Talent

Compensation for this position starts at $60,000 and qualified candidates may earn up to $73,000/annual. Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and benefits suite includes a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spending (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, and long-term disability options. The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been 10% of gross compensation following the designated service period.

About the Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90-days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6-months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30-days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.

Joining Our Talent Community

Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.

Experience

• Kitchen operations Expereince
• 3 - 5 years: Hospitality
• Previous Supervisory or Managerial Experience
• 3 year(s): Hotel or Restaurant Events

Education

• High School or better

• Some college or better in Hospitality & Resort Mgmt

Behaviors

• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

Motivations

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
• Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals