Director of Conferences & Events

Under the general direction of the Director of Sales & Marketing and within the limits of established standards of InterContinental Hotels Group, local policies and procedures, manages all sales activities and events within convention & catering sales for segments of corporate/association and tours & leisure, sales administration and management of the Sales team.  Promotes the desired work culture around the five core values of Trust, Integrity, Respect, One Team and Service of the InterContinental Hotels Group and the brand ethos.

Key Responsibilities 

• Responsible for achieving the budget goal in the group segments (C/A/I/T/U)
• Responsible for achieving the budget goal for Banqueting and catering
• Ongoing control of catering and convention bookings (OPT/TEN/DEF/LOS/UNC)
• Creating the events and needs journal for Group Sales and Field Sales coordinators
• Develops the Annual Revenue Report
• Develops the Group Forecast
• Participation in Yield, Convention, Sales, Revenue, Morning Meetings
• Supervises the FIT program for Convention and Catering Sales
• Supervises the Conversion Rate for the Convention and Catering Sales
• Participation in promotional events like FAM Trips, Manager Cocktails, …
• Responsible for sales reviews within operational department
• Supervises and controls the results of all sales activities achieved from the Director of Catering
• Supporting the Director of Catering in field research of new locations, customer relations to contact persons of these locations, regular update of the actual location listing
• Promotes cross selling in the Convention and Catering department
• Develops business strategies for Convention and Catering department
• Responsible that operational staff only sell rates following the actual yield management strategies
• Produces, implements and monitors action plans to ensure Revenue Plan and forecast objectives are achieved
• Analyses current and potential markets/trends, coordinates all activities to maintain and increase revenue through added business volume and increased rate
• Oversees the selling and servicing of Catering and Convention customers
• Monitors competitor activities
• Personally handles all VIP events in the hotel
• Meets with guests from major producers/organizers of big events staying in the hotel to ensure customer satisfaction

Customer Service

• Demonstrate service attributes in accordance with industry expectations and company standards including:
  • Being attentive to Guests 
  • Accurately and promptly fulfilling Guests requests
  • Anticipate Guests needs
  • Maintain a high level of knowledge which might affect the Guest experience
  • Demonstrating a ‘service’ attitude 
  • Taking appropriate action to resolve guest complaints
• Appreciate the dynamic nature of the Hotel industry and extend these service attributes to all internal customers
• Review and update existing standards to ensure competitiveness

Financial Responsibilities 

• Prepare, manage and achieve the department’s budget. Duties include:
• Prepare and manage a cost effective budget with measurable targets for department within the financial parameters set down by the hotel budget
• Effectively monitor and analyze variations from the budget
• Develop systems that measure the cost effectiveness of the department
• Develop procedures that track, report on, and control the running costs of the department
• Effectively manage staffing costs by preparing efficient work schedules in line with legal requirements

Business Planning

• Contribute to the overall strategic plan of the business and help compile the annual hotel business plan
• Keep abreast of trends in business area and implement best practice initiatives 
• Develop a competitive business plan for the operational area and communicate this to  operational colleagues and staff

People Management

• Work within the company’s Human Resource Management System to ensure the departmental performance of staff is productive. Duties include:
• Plan for future staffing needs 
• Recruit in line with company guidelines 
• Prepare detailed orientation programs for new staff
• Maintain a comprehensive, current and guest focused set of departmental standards and procedures and oversee their implementation
• Ensure training needs analysis of departmental staff is carried out and training programs are designed and implemented to meet needs
• Deliver training
• Identify high potentials 
• Maintain training records for all direct reports 
• Conduct probation and formal performance appraisals in line with company guidelines
• Coach, counsel and discipline staff, providing constructive feedback to enhance performance
• Approve leave requests after considering peaks and troughs in the business 
• Regularly communicate with staff to maintain positive relationships

Self Management

• Comply with Hotel Rules and Regulations and provisions contained in the Employment Handbook 
• Comply with Company Grooming Standards. Maintains exemplary department standards of behavior and appearance and attitude as expected in an IHG Brand 
• Comply with Time and Attendance Policies
• Actively participate in training and development programs and maximize opportunities for self development   

Health, Safety and Security

• Is familiar with Company Health and Safety Policies and ensures operational areas promote and comply with them
• Take responsibility to rectify hazardous situations, reporting major areas of concern to the General Manager or designate 
• Is familiar with property safety, first aid and fire and emergency procedures and actively enforces these in area of responsibility
• Ensure security incidents in operational area are reviewed and corrective measures implemented to prevent recurring incidents 
• In conjunction with the Emergency Response Team preparation of emergency procedures upon advice from relevant authority that cover such emergencies as Fire, Power Outrage, Bomb Threat, Cyclone Warnings, etc

General

• Comply with the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct
• Is familiar with the company values and model desired behaviors
• Performs tasks as directed by the Manager in pursuit of the achievement of business goals