Director of Catering

@ fourseasons
fourseasonsfourseasons.com

Director of Catering

Posted 1 day ago

About the job

Four Seasons Westlake Village offers luxury experiences in Southern California. The Director of Catering oversees event planning, client relations, and team supervision, ensuring profitable, brand-compliant events with exceptional service in a scenic, wellness-focused setting.

Requirements

  • Luxury hotel catering experience
  • Event planning leadership
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Multi-tasking ability
  • Knowledge of catering software

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Hospitality or related
  • Five years luxury catering experience
  • Strong English proficiency
  • Proactive guest service skills
  • Team supervision experience

Full job description

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.         

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

A southern California escape that embodies wellbeing. Set at the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu’s sunny beaches and Santa Barbara’s famous vines, our relaxed yet refined California hotel offers a family-friendly atmosphere and is home to the Center for Health & Wellbeing, a luxury destination for wellness. Come and redefine what it means to reinvigorate.

About the role

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is seeking a Director of Catering to oversee all aspects of catering and event planning within the hotel, ensuring seamless execution from contract turnover to event completion. This role serves as the primary liaison between clients and hotel operational departments, ensuring that events are profitable, brand compliant, and executed with exceptional service. The Director leads a team responsible for event planning, banquet detailing, and client experience across both Rooms and Food & Beverage.

What you will do

  • Supervision of the Catering team in their day-to-day roles; including maintaining and monitoring the accuracy and effectiveness of all written communications. These include but are not limited to: banquet event orders, resumes, menu and event proposals, contracts, etc.

  • Actively prospect and solicit, develop, and maintain local corporate catering accounts through telephone, personal sales calls, trade shows, and on-site entertainment.

  • Finalize the requirements of personally booked catering events while maximizing revenue potential through up selling and ensuring effective communication both written (Resumes, BEO, Daily Reports) and personal contact with all departments for the success of the event. Ensure accuracy of Banquet Checks and provide bill review on completion of program or event.

  • Supervise the execution of banquet events. Review all function space with banquet manager and when necessary head house attendant. Ensure satisfaction of client at the outset of all events.

  • Find solutions to the inevitable challenges and glitches that arise while groups are on property and keep Director of Catering and Conference Services and Planning Committee promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters so prompt corrective action can be taken where appropriate.

  • Maintain knowledge of hotel facilities, capacities and dimensions of meeting space and basic operational needs of all operating departments.

  • Make timely and impromptu decisions, which balance client’s needs with the financial, safety and staffing goals of the hotel.

  • Plan and/or attend and/or participate in meetings with hotel staff and clients, including but not exclusive to: Morning Operations Briefing, Morning CS Briefing, Resume Meeting, Banquet Event Order Meeting, Sales Meeting, Pre-Convention Meetings, Bi-Monthly Board of Operations, Menu Tastings and Planning Site Visits.

  • Conduct performance evaluations and mentor for Assistant Director of Catering, Catering Sales Managers and Administrative Assistant. In addition, recommend the hiring, terminating, or disciplining of any Catering or Conference Services employee.

  • Assist with all inquires within the sales, marketing and catering department, including assistance with high telephone volume and walk-in site inspections.

  • Maintain an understanding of Conference Services and when required assume an active role.

  • Facilitate and monitor training of new Catering Managers and Administrative Assistants.

  • Act as the liaison for all vendor/supplier related clients needs, (i.e. Audio Visual, Florists, Entertainment, Transportation, DMC, Off-site Locations etc)

  • Contribute to the preparation and analysis of the catering and conference services weekly 3-month financial forecast, month end financial summaries, and contribute to the annual Marketing Plan and Budget.

  • Maintain an active and visible role in the local business and social community to generate new business, recruit future employees and managers, and support the public relations efforts of the resort.

  • Periodically host and ensure maximum effectiveness of Banquet Event Order Meetings, and Resume meetings.

  • Complies with Four Seasons’ Category One and Category Two Work Rules and Standards of Conduct as outlined in EmPact.

  • Works harmoniously and professionally with co-workers and supervisors.

  • Assist with any other duties and projects as needed.

What you bring

  • Four-year college degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

  • Minimum of five years of luxury hotel catering, event planning, or conference services leadership experience.

  • Excellent reading, writing and oral proficiency in the English language.

  • The ability to have strong communication skills among co-workers and guests.

  • The ability to multi-task on several assignments at once.

  • The ability to anticipate guests needs and go above and beyond when needed.

  • Computer skills and knowledge including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Golden Sales & Catering, IDeaS, and Opera

What we offer

  • Salary Range: $128,000 - $138,000

  • Health Insurance - Medical, Dental & Vision

  • Company Match 401K Plan

  • Complimentary stays at Four Seasons Worldwide 

  • Complimentary meals in our Wellness Café

  • Laundered Employee Uniform 

  • Employee Assistance Program  

  • Investment in your Wellbeing  

  • Life Insurance  

  • Complimentary on-site parking  

  • Training programs, tuition reimbursement  

  • Growth & Development opportunities  

Schedule & Hours

  • Full time position

Four Seasons is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To access the 'EEOC is The Law' Information poster please visit this website - https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

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