Director Of Catering And Conference Services

At Dollywood Parks & Resorts, we create memories worth repeating. We do this every day across Dollywood Resorts which includes over 600 rooms and 15 Food & Beverage outlets, all located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Our plan is to grow our resort footprint to over 1200 rooms across five resorts at Dollywood and to add other resorts to our overall company resort portfolio.

Ask anyone who has visited Dollywood Parks & Resorts and they will tell you this place is different. It's not a difference that you can touch or see - it's a difference you can feel. We are seeking an energetic Director of Catering & Conference Services who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while caring deeply about our brand and our region.

We want to work alongside someone who acts as an extension of our mission, values, and culture. This person is driven to create meaningful experiences for our hosts, guests, and community while simultaneously ensuring the success and profitability of our unique culinary and event offerings. This person also brings a spirit of fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity and genuine hospitality to their life and work. We are seeking an individual who has the ability to bring the vision of the Dollywood Resorts to life. The recipe for the right Director of Catering & Events will be equal parts curious learner, innovator, administrator, mentor and motivator.

In this role, you will be accountable for the overall management and revenue success of our catering and event services across the Dollywood Resorts campus, including DreamMore Resort & Spa and HeartSong Lodge & Resort. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of four (4) years of catering and event operations for upscale hotel & resort properties with extensive meeting/event facilities.

Summary Of Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing and coordinating all phases of meeting and event functions hosted by our hotels
• Manage a team of catering and event specialists to sell and execute each event with passion, enthusiasm, pride and at excellence that aligns with our company core values. Embrace the company core value, "We Greatly Exceed Guest Expectations" ensuring high NetPromoter scores and future repeat business
• Work strategically with our area sales team to maximize event space, revenue and profitability
• Carefully review and approve all contracted services to assure proper contribution to profits
• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Ensure strong communication is evident with the banquet teams, F&B and other resort operating departments on group expectations, event execution, quality of product, and overall success of planned event
• Assist in development of annual group sales plan, and banquet/catering revenue goals
• Actively solicit meeting/event clients for overnight groups, day functions and special events to maximize our sellable space throughout the area hotels
• Manage weekly BEO and resume meetings to effectively communicate to all hotel operational departments
• Develop and manage service standards for all banquet events, meetings, and related operations including generating ideas for innovative and creative F&B displays to maximize revenue
• Upselling contracted groups with more extensive F&B options. Maximize third-party Audio/Visual relationship to ensure maximum profitability
• Conduct site inspections and creatively sell both hotels utilizing all aspects of both, traditional meet spaces and our flexible/unique venues
• Interview, recommend hiring, schedule, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, resolve problems, provide open communication, recommend and conduct performance and salary reviews, recommend discipline and termination, as appropriate
• Identify trends, research the competition's products, services and pricing and use it to develop strategic business plans
• Actively participate in industry related organizations (Ex: NACE, MPI, Wedding Professionals), community and civic organizations to create booking opportunities
• Thorough knowledge of sales techniques including strong closing skills as well as negotiating skills. Track record of strong prospecting efforts. Comfortable with hotel site inspections and client presentations. Participate in trade shows and sales blitzes

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Hospitality Management preferred but not required
• Four (4) years of resort and/or full-service catering and sales experience preferred
• Good working knowledge of Delphi (fdc), Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and CRM system preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to analyze, forecast data, and makes judgments to ensure proper business is booked
• Must possess strong communication, listening, facilitation and problem-solving skills, computer skills and financial acumen
• Must reflect Dollywood's image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in their work
• Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelines
• Able to display and live out Lead with Love qualities strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, selfless, forgiving, honest, and committed
• Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employees
• Must reflect Dollywood's image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in work
• Must be self-motivated and disciplined
• Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information
• Must be committed to continuous improvement
• Must have professional appearance with good personal hygiene
• Must promote and support a "team" work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers
• Must be able to be productive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Must be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skills
• Must show appreciation of others
• Able to get along with other employees to work out problems and resolve conflicts
• Able to comprehend instructions and retain information
• Able to perform duties consistent with creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests
• Able to be flexible to handle frequent changes in priorities
• Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide with accuracy
• Able to communicate effectively using standard English grammar and punctuation
• Able to tolerate various temperatures while working outdoors
• Able to operate/drive a company vehicle with valid TN driver's license and insurance
• Able to meet the physical demands of the job

The Dollywood Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. The Dollywood Company drives a welcoming culture where ideas and decisions from all people support our efforts to be relevant in an ever-changing world.