Description

No other Chicago hotel has inspired more legendary acclaim than The Drake. A timeless icon, The Drake offers guests unrivaled access to the city's most exclusive shopping, dining, and nightlife.

The Catering & Events Department is now seeking an Associate Director of Catering to join its celebrated team. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to design and deliver unforgettable experiences-managing luxury weddings of 450+ guests, as well as high-profile social and local corporate events. From selling the vision to flawlessly executing every detail, this is your chance to sell the dream and see it come to life at one of Chicago's most iconic hotels.

What will I be doing?

As Assistant Director of Catering you will be responsible for the development of market segment(s) including solicitation of new customer relationships, negotiation of business through proposals and contracts to close business. Creative design of menus and events to maximize revenue and event experience. Maintain existing relationships with corporate and social accounts. As ADOC you will be assisting the Director of Catering & Events to achieve superior results in the areas of ensuring outstanding guest service, team member engagement, favorable financial outcomes, strategic leadership and talent development, culture, innovation and event operations. As ADOC you will support and act on behalf of the Director of Catering and Events.

Specifically, your essential functions will be to perform the following tasks to the highest standards:

STRATEGY:
• Drive innovation and creativity within event delivery
• Ensure that high quality service standards are maintained through continuous reviews of processes and procedures
• Actively support the sales process.

LEADERSHIP:
• Support leadership and direction in all Catering matters.
• Serve as a highly visible, participatory leader who proactively and consistently engages with their General Manager/Executive Committee, Sales, Catering and Events team members, external guests, and suppliers
• Remain current on event trends to evaluate innovative ways for process/practice improvements and shares best practices
• Participate or represent Hilton in industry social/meeting/events professional associations

CULTURE:
• Inspire high-performing multi-cultural, multi-generational teams that build Hilton's Events talent pipeline
• Integrate Hilton's Values/Mission/Purpose when implementing Event initiatives and support Team Member-centric and guest-centric programs
• Lead with Hilton culture engaging with Team Members through direct and meaningful interactions
• Be an ambassador for customer service.

TALENT:
• Motivate and provide a work environment in which team members are productive
• Listen and respond to team members needs while having an open-door policy
• Manage group and interpersonal conflict effectively

CATERING OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE:
• Assist to ensure the proper use of all function space, exhibit hall, and event spaces
• Assist to manage supplier and vendor relationships
• Possess subject matter expertise and ensure standards/practices
• Assist in the development and management of departmental budgets
• Assist in short, medium, and long-term forecasting and actual cost reporting for events
• Assist to ensure proper staffing for the needs of the business
• Assist to integrate current trends in event management and design
• Participate in customer site inspections and assists with the sales process as necessary

#LI-JW1

What are we looking for?

• Minimum Years of Experience: Two (2) years Hospitality related experience within catering & events
• Flexibility with schedule: Albe to work during the week, weekends, evenings, holidays based on business

It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:
• Knowledge of the hotel property management systems (Delphi.fdc)
• Hotel Catering Sales experience
• Knowledge of weddings specifically SE Asian and Jewish

The Benefits- Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture ranking #2 Best Company To Work For in the U.S.

We support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members so they can Thrive personally and professionally in a diverse and inclusive environment, thanks to innovative programs and benefits.

• Medical Insurance Coverage Options -for you and your family. Able to enroll after 90 days of employment
• Vision, dental, life and disability insurance
• Mental Health Resources
• Best-in-Class Paid Time Off (PTO) - you can accrue up to 144 hours of PTO in your first year of employment.
• Go Hilton travel discount program: 100 nights of discounted travel per calendar year
• Participating in the 401(k) Plan and company match is the perfect way to save for the future. We match 100% of every dollar eligible TMs contribute up to 3% of pay, plus 50% of every dollar contributed on the next 2% of pay.
• Career growth and development
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Recognition and rewards programs
• Access to your pay when you need it through DailyPay
• Access to a wide variety of educational credentials (ex. college degrees, high school completion, English-language learning, digital literacy, professional certificates and more)
• Inclusive family-building and fertility benefits
• Expanded bereavement leave.
• Adoption Assistance program

Other Compensation

• Employee stock purchase program (ESPP) - purchase Hilton shares at 15% discount
• Complimentary meals in the cafeteria while on shift
• Self-Parking $12 Daily

Sales Incentive

Hilton offers a best-in market SIP (Short-Term Incentive Plan) to our Sales, Catering & Events teams to reward our employees for their contributions to our company's financial success. The Plan includes a quarterly component worth 20% of bonus eligible earnings. The quarterly incentive may have multiple individually weighted objectives, meaning multiple opportunities to earn a payout