The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center is a prestigious hotel located in Alexandria, Virginia, known for its upscale amenities and top-notch services. As a potential job applicant, joining the team at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with a strong emphasis on guest satisfaction. The hotel boasts luxurious accommodations, state-of-the-art facilities, and a variety of dining options. With its prime location, the hotel attracts a diverse range of guests, including business travelers, families, and leisure travelers. As a team member at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, you will be part of a professional and dedicated staff committed to providing exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for guests. Joining the team at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center offers a chance to be part of a renowned hospitality brand known for its commitment to excellence and guest satisfaction.
The Director of Event Planning is responsible for reviewing and assigning group sales files for detailing and facilitating, liason between Meeting Planners, Sales and Operations, conducting pre-cons, performance appraisals, supervising, training and developing Team Members.
Performance Standards:
· Monitor competitor pricing, positioning, strategies and data; maintain understanding of the dynamics of the local market and demand generators and present appropriate action plans to management.
· Analyze local events and activities and project the effect of opportunities they create.
· Understand the macro and micro-economic variables affecting supply and demand in the local marketplace.
· Work with DOS to oversee process for evaluating all opportunities for contracted catering business. Ensure that process enables high speed of response while maximizing profits.
· Develop and maintain relationships with other market DOC's to create a network of peers in your community.
· Actively develop all subordinates, ensuring that they have opportunities to grow their catering, event management and leadership skill base through personal attention, internal/external training and participation in industry events.
· Effectively communicate any strategy changes to the sales/catering team.
· Marketing – Effectively develop and execute an appropriate marketing and ecommerce plan for the hotel in conjunction with the DOS.
· Have up to date knowledge of competitor menu pricing and maintain a pricing structure befitting of rank in the market.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
· 5+ years of progressive catering/convention services experience, hotel preferred.
· Confident and professional appearance.
· Highly developed business communication skills, both written and verbal.
· Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
· Strong negotiation skills.
· Experience with major Hospitality Sales CRM system, i.e. Delphi, Daylight and/or brand CRM such as Marriott CI/TY or Starwood ISAC is preferred.
· Execute and support Hotel Customer Service Standards and Hotel's Brand Standards.
· Strong understanding of negotiation and interpretation of contracts.
· Demonstrate leadership skills at all levels of the hotel as well as externally.
· Understand and have a working knowledge of statistical data (Star Report, P&L, expense sheets, competitive pricing analysis).
· Proven ability to forecast top line revenues.
· Conflict management skills.
· Time management skills. Being able to work on multiple projects with desired outcome for each.
· Ability to direct/motivate convention service department to meet and exceed goals.
· Ability to communicate effectively with public, employees and ownership teams.
· Ability to meet all deadlines internally and externally every time.
· Creativity in designing events.
· Comprehensive knowledge of banquet department (sets, AV equipment, scheduling, menu planning).
· Ability to design menus in conjunction with the culinary department to maximize operating profit
Davidson Hospitality Group is an award-winning, full-service hospitality management company overseeing hotels, restaurants, dining and entertainment venues across the US. A trusted partner and preferred operator for Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Marriott, and Margaritaville, Davidson offers a unique entrepreneurial management style and owners' mentality that provides the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of skill and experience of a larger company. In keeping with the company's heritage of delivering value, Davidson is comprised of four highly specialized operating verticals: Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Restaurant Group.
In keeping with the company's heritage of delivering value to its owners and team members, Davidson offers a rich benefit program with a variety of benefits designed to enrich the lives and well-being of our team members and their families.
Three Tiers of Medical Coverage Dental & Vision Coverage 24/7 Teledoc service Free Maintenance Medications Pet Insurance Hotel Discounts Tuition Reimbursement Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, bereavement, and Holidays). 401K Match Working at Davidson is like nowhere else. It's less of a job, more of a calling. It's part career, part revolution. Because whatever you do here, you play a part in helping redefine the way quality hospitality is delivered to our guests, our clients, our partners, and each other. EOE AA- Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation Davidson Hospitality is a drug free workplace. Pre-employment drug test and background check required. We participate in E-Verify.
