Director of Catering

The Brookmere Hotel and Clover Restaurant & Bar, opening in November 2024, is actively searching for a passionate, organized, and results-driven Director of Catering Sales to lead our team of hospitality professionals.

The Brookmere Hotel and Clover Restaurant & Bar, managed by Hay Creek Hotels, is a major development project in Saratoga Springs, New York, situated just a mile from the Saratoga Racetrack and abutting Saratoga National Golf Course. The 10-acre site formerly known as Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant, and Conference Center will be raised and built upon, creating a home for the new 88-room upper-upscale hotel, full service restaurant and bar with seasonal outdoor porch, spa, banquet facility with 6,000 sq.ft. of meeting and event space, and private access to Lake Lonely. Bonacio Construction leads the development, partnered with Hay Creek Hotels as managing partners. The property is currently projected to open in November 2024.

Salary $75-85k, based on experience.

Job Summary:

• Solicit hotel room, party/banquet/event catering business. Negotiates rates for all corporate group and catering with potential clients. Visits or calls on past and prospective customers to solicit bookings.
• Produces annual marketing plan and develops aggressive long and short-range sales objectives and promotional programs based on past sales projections and accomplishments.
• Meets with operational managers and supervisors regularly to plan and coordinate efforts for scheduled functions to ensure the efficient execution of the event, and that it adheres to customer guidelines. Manges BEO Meetings weekly.
• Formulates contract and solely negotiates all specified event details concerning upcoming engagements.
• Direct the solicitation efforts of the catering department through effective oral and written communication while adhering to rate, date and space commitments for social group room sales within the hotel.
• Conducts offsite and onsite sales visits according to HCH operating standards.
• Prepares arrangements with customers for group functions, that are booked in person, via telephone or by correspondence. Obtains all pertinent information concerning the event, such as size of party, menu and schedule of event, AV needs, etc.
• Develops detailed Banquet Event Orders according to client requests. Assist operations managers in successfully executing BEO details.
• Direct and manage all social group, and catering/banquet sales and activities to maximize revenue for the hotel.
• Compile and/or direct the preparation of reports including annual and monthly forecast, social booking pace report, etc.
• Attend and represent the hotel at selected wedding trade shows or necessary community events.
• Coordinate ongoing research of the wedding and social industry to detect market trends and related information for development of new marketing strategies.
• Develop and conduct persuasive verbal sales presentations to prospective clients.
• Prepares in collaboration with DOSM sales and marketing plan and execute plans as outlined.
• Maintain tracking system through sales system to ensure all client information and potential bookings and prospecting calls is documented.
• Adheres to social group rates, room blocks, and catering deployment strategies through review of competitive data, demand analysis and mix management.
• Communicate and coordinate with front office manager, group bookings, room blocks, rooming lists and billing procedures.
• Attend weekly BEO Meetings and other scheduled meetings and training sessions.

About Hay Creek Hotels:

Founded in 2005, Hay Creek Hotels was created specifically to combine the intimacy of a boutique hotel with world-class cuisine, cutting-edge technology, unparalleled guest service and the exclusive amenities of a luxury inn. At Hay Creek Hotels, our passion is to pioneer superior service and inspire excitement within the small, independent hotel sector: to 'Delight & Surprise' our guests every day. These values are driven by the idea that the best hotels and restaurants are the ones that draw on the spirit, culture and character of their locales. From meticulously renovated historic properties to exciting new-build hotels, we offer some of the most unique and interesting lodging and dining destinations in the United States. Our hotels and resorts are designed to reflect their respective neighborhoods and serve as good neighbors by participating in community events and causes. Through environmentally responsible design and day-to-day management, we adhere to best practices for sustainable operations at every location.

Bringing a hyper-local focus to the hotel dining experience, the restaurants in the Hay Creek Hotels collection form deep connections with respected local farms and providers. Our chefs seamlessly integrate their regions' finest meats, seafood and produce with contemporary cooking styles and flavors. Each Hay Creek restaurant is distinguished by sophisticated yet casual ambiance and cuisine that delivers both comfort and surprise with each bite. We are not the average box hotel, and this is not the average dining experience. Dishes are created each night with the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and presentation. Farm-to-table food brings sensational seasonal menus with creative twists on old classics.

Our Core Values and Beliefs;

We promote and support a culture that Delights & Surprises each of our customers, associates, and business partners. Our Host Philosophy encourages each associate to develop the skills necessary to offer outstanding hospitality service outside the scope of their primary job responsibilities. Our Associate Promise is the commitment to truly listen to and communicate openly and honestly with all team members. We embrace Pride Of Ownership to create an, 'I can, I am, I own,' empowered approach to everything we do. Partnering in our Local Community and respecting the environment we live in are beliefs we incorporate into daily operations.

To learn more, visit us at www.HayCreekHotels.com

Experience Requirements

7+ years in catering sales preferably in hotel setting

3+ years in leadership positions with sales/catering

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Demonstrated the ability to sell upscale luxury wedding blocks and events

Experience in creating luxury destination weddings

Executed large scale events and luxury galas

Benefits:

Hay Creek offers an extensive benefit and incentive package, including;

· Insurance benefits, including Company-funded Medical, Dental, and Vision

· 25K in Company-paid Life Insurance for our Managers

· Additional Life, Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Health Flex Spending, and Dependent Care Flex Spending options

· Competitive Salary/Wages with Merit and Cost of Living Adjustments and Annual Performance/Wage Reviews

· Competitive Paid Time Off Structure including Vacation, Sick, Holiday Pay, Jury Duty Leave, and Bereavement Leave

· Employee and Friends & Family Lodging Discounts as low as forty-nine dollars per night at any HCH Property

· Employee Dining Discount of fifty percent off when Dining at any HCH Property

· Additional Discounts through Working Advantage (Entertainment Tickets, Hotels, Local Activities, Sports Passes, etc.)

· Discounts at each of our Spas, Golf Courses, Fitness rooms/programs and other featured amenities

· Supportive, open-door policy work environment

· Work Culture that is fun, energetic and motivating

· Employee Recognition Program – ‘Delight and Surprise Dollars’

· Accelerated Career Advancement to include professional enrichment, conferences & classes, and manager in training programs.