Director of Catering & Conference Services

Additional Information: This hotel is owned and operated by an independent franchisee Prince Resorts Hawaii Inc.. The franchisee is a separate company and a separate employer from Marriott International Inc. The franchisee solely controls all aspects of the hotels employment policies and practices including hiring firing discipline staffing compensation benefits and all other terms and conditions of employment. If you accept a position at this hotel you will be employed by a franchisee and not by Marriott International Inc.

Position Overview
The Director of Catering & Conference Services (DOCC) serves as a strategic and operational leader responsible for delivering exceptional group wedding and social events that reflect the legendary service culture and spirit of Aloha synonymous with Mauna Kea Resort. This role oversees all catering and conference services operations guiding a high-performing team to flawlessly execute events while maximizing revenue profitability and guest satisfaction.

The DOCCS partners closely with Sales Food & Beverage Operations and external stakeholders to bring each our customers vision to life through seamless logistics and elevated experiences which are infused with Hawaiian culture. With a strong focus on financial stewardship team development and innovation this role ensures every event meets the highest standards of quality service and authenticity.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
Recruit train mentor and develop Catering & Conference Services (CCS) team members fostering a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous growth.
Lead and inspire the CCS team through clear direction performance coaching and recognition cultivating a positive and energetic workplace culture.
Establish maintain and continuously improve departmental policies procedures and service standards to ensure consistency and excellence.
Review approve and verify department payroll ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Financial & Revenue Management
Develop and manage the annual banquet catering revenue operating and travel & expense budgets in alignment with overall resort financial objectives.
Review all vendor proposals catering contracts and financial details to ensure profitability revenue optimization and protection of the resorts financial interests.
Prepare accurate monthly forecasts and reports to support budgeting strategic planning and performance tracking.
Oversee departmental operating expenses ensuring cost controls and adherence to budgetary guidelines.

Sales Client Relations & Business Development
Assign group wedding and social catering events to CCS managers and coordinators to ensure seamless execution and balanced workloads.
Engage directly with clients to secure bookings develop customized menu proposals and contracts and strategically upsell services to enhance the guest experience and drive incremental revenue.
Proactively solicit and manage key annual accounts while building strong relationships within the local and destination markets.
Conduct site inspections and host clients to showcase resort offerings and strengthen long-term partnerships.

Event Operations & Execution
Ensure flawless execution of all events by coordinating function space food & beverage décor entertainment and operational logistics in alignment with brand standards and client expectations.
Approve and manage function space bookings during peak demand periods maximizing utilization of all indoor and outdoor venues.
Collaborate closely with operational departments to ensure clear communication alignment and exceptional event delivery.
Lead resort-wide event and operations meetings to ensure alignment across departments and anticipate client needs.

Innovation Compliance & Service Excellence
Develop and implement creative concepts for themed events décor menus and entertainment to deliver distinctive and memorable experiences.
Remain current on industry trends particularly in food & beverage events and guest experience innovation.
Maintain thorough knowledge of local liquor laws county ordinances and regulatory requirements to ensure full compliance.
Oversee billing processes and ensure all accounts including master accounts are settled accurately and to the satisfaction of both the client and the resort.
Address and resolve client concerns promptly and professionally ensuring exceptional service recovery when needed.
Perform additional duties as required to support departmental and resort objectives.

Working Conditions
Office environment and indoor/outdoor function spaces
Exposure to varying weather conditions
Frequent walking throughout the resort for event oversight and site inspections
Travel between resort hotels
Ability to travel inter-island and domestically

Work Schedule
Ability to work extended irregular and flexible hours
Must be able to work in excess of 50 hours per week as business demands require

Equipment & Systems
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook)
Experience with Marriott catering systems (CI/TY) preferred
Professional use of telephones and two-way radios

Mental & Physical Requirements
Strong organizational and prioritization skills
Ability to perform under pressure multitask and manage time-sensitive priorities
Ability to sit for extended periods and stand/walk the property for event oversight

Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Ability to present effectively to both small and large groups
Skilled in training coaching and documentation (procedures policies manuals)

Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities
Minimum Qualifications
56 years of progressive leadership experience in catering conference services or hospitality operations
Demonstrated ability to lead teams and achieve revenue and service goals
Strong financial acumen and analytical skills
Proven ability to resolve client concerns professionally and efficiently
Warm professional demeanor aligned with luxury hospitality standards

The salary range for this position is $90000 USD to $140000 USD annually.

This company is an equal opportunity employer.

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