Assistant Director of Event Operations

Company Description

Why work for Fairmont?

At Fairmont, our passion is to connect our guests to the very best of our destinations. From the beaches of Hawaii to the deserts of the United Arab Emirates to the heart of London, our hotels offer guests extraordinary places, created by combining unique architecture, expressive decor and artistry, and magnificent features. Add engaging service, and the result is an unforgettable guest experience.

Job Description

Assistant Director of Event Operations

You represent Fairmont Century Plaza with enthusiasm and pride, providing exceptional service and attention for each guest you encounter. You are energetic and confident, and will encourage your teammates to achieve and be positive. You are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the best possible experience for your guests at all times, and to assist the Director of Event Operations in ensuring Events services exceed Accor and Fairmont Century Plaza standards. You are responsible for elevating guest experience and Heartist satisfaction. You also oversee the Events team and the daily floor operation as it relates to events. You must be flexible with the type of work needed to be done as well as hours worked including, but not limited to, mornings, nights, weekends and holidays. It is a position centered around guests’ needs.

What you will be doing:

• To develop and enhance Fairmont service standards through disciplined administration of departmental Standard Operating Procedures and excellent attention to detail
• To enhance the leadership skills of the event leadership team. This includes the development of decision-making skills, performance management techniques, function planning ability, process mapping and analysis, and sense of urgency and ownership.
• Ensure effective working relationships and clear communication are maintained with all Heartists and leaders in the Event Department
• Work closely with Catering and Conference Service team to execute on client needs, expectations, and timelines
• Attend regular meetings to discuss Banquet Event Orders and event forecasts
• Ensure all functions make a positive visual impact and unforgettable guest experience; including ambiance, décor and service delivery
• Focus on guest satisfaction scores (Voice of the Guest / Meeting Planner) in all duties and interactions
• Attend pre-conference meetings with clients to confirm all relevant details are communicated
• Assume responsibility for all banquet facilities, including cleanliness, repair and maintenance, reporting any deficiencies as required
• Oversees all Events staff including housepersons, bartenders, servers, and captains
• Works with Heartist schedules to optimize productivity and coverage: ensuring actual coverage meets guest service standards and business demand
• Manages labor in conjunction with Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines, optimizing productivity and coverage
• Reviews all information pertinent to events, ensuring accuracy in form and execution
• Runs the floor and multiple events simultaneously

Qualifications

Your experience and skills include:

• Well developed and rounded general management skills with an emphasis in Food and Beverage operations management
• Previous Events Operations (Banquets) experience with a minimum of 5 years as an Events/Banquet Manager; must have Union Property experience
• A demonstrated ability to delegate tasks to team members and facilitate their completion
• Efficient and effective operational skills
• Strong cross functional team player
• Responsive, with a sense of urgency
• Consistent follow through
• Possesses a focus on guest service
• Strong food and wine knowledge
• Makes business decisions based on Event Orders, available information, experience and collaborative input
• Works tactfully, courteously and seamlessly with the general public, customers and Heartists
• Performs a variety of activities; able to change activities frequently and sometimes without advance notice
• Analyzes and interprets established policies
• Makes business decisions based on Event Orders, available information, experience and collaborative input
• Works tactfully, courteously and seamlessly with the general public, customers, Heartists and union officials
• Accepts full responsibility for directing and managing an activity

Additional Information

What is in it for you:

• Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000 USD
• Discounted hotel rooms and food & beverage rates to employees at our sister properties around the globe.
• We provide learning programs through our Academies to promote growth and deve