Conference & Banqueting Manager

The Role:

Being the Conference & Banqueting Manager means you hold an important key to the hotel’s success. You will provide the highest levels of customer service to our clients at all times. You will deliver a successful experience for the planner and attendees with the goal of garnering both repeat and referral business.

Reporting to:

The Conference & Banqueting Manager will report directly to the Operations Manager & General Manager (or such person as designated by management).

The Person:
We are seeking candidates with a proven track record with conferences, banqueting & events. Candidates who are results driven and able to work independently and in a team. Candidates who have previous supervisor experience in C&B / F&B,

The Hotel:
Lough Rea Hotel and Spa is one of the most highly recommended and well known venues in Galway. Situated just outside the quaint town of Loughrea overlooking Loughrea Lake. Guests can enjoy the Rooftop Garden Bar and Sky Lounge, which boasts panoramic views of Loughrea Lake and the Galway countryside.

The hotels facilities consists of 91 bedrooms, Shore Island Spa, ample free car parking on site, Lir Bar & Brasserie, Abbey Restaurant, along a large conference suite and 6 breakout rooms catering for conferences up to 500 people.

One of Six properties within the Só Hotel Group, there are significant progression and development opportunities for ambitious and driven hospitality professionals.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Manage the conference & Banqueting facilities on site, to optimise the availability and maximise the client experience through effective planning and smooth delivery of services.
• Collaborate with Sales to understand event requirements and preferences.
• Plan and coordinate all aspects of conferences, banquets, and events, including meeting space, catering, audio-visual equipment, and decor.
• Act as the main point of contact for clients throughout the execution phases of events.
• Ensure that all queries/requests are handled in a professional and proactive manner to deliver a faultless client experience.
• Obtain feedback in a timely fashion in order to analyse effective the quality of delivery.
• Oversee and manage a team of banquet and event staff.
• Ensure that staff are properly trained and capable of delivering high-quality service.
• To develop & implement SOPs for every aspect of the C&B department.
• Maximising revenue and profitability from all market segments.
• Effectively manage and co-ordinate conference/event enquiries, databases, reports, and site inspections.
• Ensure all client charges are correctly posted and accounted.
• To maintain a high standard of cleanliness throughout the department.
• To manage the wage cost & staffing of the department in line with targets/budgets set out by the GM.
• To be creative in analysing the wedding market, where the next trends are coming from and engaging in new wedding additions from the Hotel.
• Constantly striving to better the products & services the C&B department offer.
• To work closely with the sales team to push wedding & event sales and maximising revenues from same.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Food allowance
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Hospitality Management: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person