Conference & Banqueting Manager - Witney, Oxfordshire

Conference & Banqueting Manager - Witney Lakes Resort

Job Type: Full Time

Reports to: Club General Manager/Club Director

Supervises: Event Sales Manager, Event Sales Advisor(s)

The Club Company's mission is to be unquestionably the UK's premier collection of country clubs and we understand that the bedrock of any successful business is its people, how they treat each other, their customers and how they live and breathe our values day in, day out.

With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, our clubs are set in beautiful locations with an inspiring mix of sporting, leisure and wellbeing facilities offering a feel-good experience to members and guests. Our clubs are an exceptional venue to work and enjoy.

Our CARE values - Caring, Ambitious, Respectful and Energised - are designed to guide and inspire our team every day. Our team members ensure that our clubs are places that people love to visit. Because our customers are a huge part of what makes our clubs so special, we place them at the heart of everything we do.

Responsible for: Adherence to business operating standards and procedures including H&S, Membership and event management, Team management at departmental level, Revenue and yield from events and hotel bookings (where applicable), Revenue and yield from recurring sales targets, Business growth of the Club including marketing initiatives.

Management of food and beverage within our Dorchester Suite food and beverage operation, incl Hotel Breakfast. On occasion you will also be required to manage high volume outdoor events i.e., Bonfire Night.

Accountable for: Customer interaction on product offerings, Revenue, and yield from recurring sales targets.

Supports: Delivery of exceptional customer experience, Overall P&L management of the Club.

Consulted on: - Pricing, packages, and future events.

Informed on: Administrative support and general office tasks.

Job Purpose

Lead the events team in design, management, and organisation of events for The Club Company exceeding customers’ expectations, meeting agreed quality standards, achieving targets and maximising overall revenue performance.

Lead the delivery of the events, collaborating with other senior management (golf ops, course manager, FB manager) to ensure resource execution is delivered to the required levels to win repeat business.

Job Tasks/Duties

• Responsible for designing, managing, and organising events including functions, conferences and social events, from initial enquiry through to booking; liaises with and coordinates pre-booked business and client requirements with relevant department heads; acts as client liaison throughout the duration of the project; ensures events are organised within budgeted targets.
• Identifies and discusses new business opportunities with the Club General Manager/Club Director and strives to win events and hotel business (where applicable) and convert it to revenue for The Club Company.
• Actively promotes the venue within the broader corporate marketplace in attracting new business with central marketing support; creates structured outreach plans that target the right areas through promotion and marketing of the property.
• Manages the Events Manager and team of advisors and is proactive in forward planning and developing bespoke sales and marketing strategies for future business; creates relationships within the business community through networking events and builds corporate database.
• Research competitors to gain insight into their hotel (where applicable), event sales and marketing tactics; implements stronger business strategies, warding off competitors, and capturing market share for The Club Company.
• Follows up events to gauge clients’ satisfaction; ensures that customer feedback and complaints are handled promptly and professionally, with serious issues referred to the Club General Manager/Club Director.
• Administers charges and takes full payments, and charges for any additional services provided or items consumed during the event day; liaises with the Accounts department on the matter.
• Implements and enforces the company’s Health & Safety Policy relating to the course and observes safe working practices in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act and fire regulations.
• Ensure that all events are booked and administered from start to finish via the Bright lime system and in line with the standard operating procedures for events bookings.
• Works closely with the Golf Operations Manager to plan, promote and organise all club-based and outside golf tournament events.
• Working closely with the Membership Sales Manager, Golf Day Sales Advisor, Hotel Manager (where applicable) and/or the Fitness & Wellbeing Manager, creates ongoing or seasonal promotions and activities to encourage registrations, stimulate sales and create interest among members, guests, management, and team.
• Manages and coordinates the Dorchester Suites – consulting with the Club Director/ General Manager, FB Manager, Head Chef, and other departments with a view to ensuring the delivery of a high-quality event service.
• Provides a capital request for all necessary equipment and recommends facility renovation needs.
• Responsible for cash and charge procedures, guest check analysis, tip reports, ticket controls and daily sales reports and analysis within the Dorchester bars.
• Support FB Manager in the recruitment, training, and supervision of the entire team, and is responsible for their performance management using the appropriate appraisal system.
• Approves the organisational chart, staffing and scheduling plans in collaboration with the FB Manager.
• Assures that all standard operating procedures for revenue and cost control are in place and consistently followed in the C&B department.
• Helps plan and approves external and internal marketing and sales promotion activities for the department’s outlets and special club events.
• Working closely with Central support on menu items, pricing, and menu designs.
• Attends departmental team meetings as required and completes other sales assignments given by the Club General Manager.
• To ensure a high degree of personal presentation and hygiene in line with the company’s dress and appearance policy.
• To be a positive ambassador for the Company’s CARE values at all times.
• Responsible for supporting with Feed-It-Back in relation to the department
• Duty Management shifts as and when required

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a related field (event planning, catering, group sales etc) is desirable; and relevant related skills and experience.

Licenses and Special Requirements

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• CPR, First Aid, or AED certified

Additional Information

This job description has been prepared as a working document to identify the main areas of responsibility. It is not a definitive statement of duties nor excludes any tasks which may be considered reasonable.

Our amazing employee benefits:

• Cycle to work scheme
• 25% off beauty products and retail goods
• Competition play for team members with a golf handicap
• Discounted membership rates for a friend or family
• Learning & development programs
• Bonus holiday days for long service
• Wedding day off
• Birthday day off
• Employee assistance programme
• Complimentary use of health club, group exercise classes and golf facilities
• Free health club membership for your household - One adult and up to 4 children under 18 for team members working over 16 hours per week
• Beautiful work surroundings
• Uniform provided
• 70% off food and drinks on duty
• 25% off food and drinks at other times
• 25% off spa treatments if booked and taken on the day
• Generous hotel offers and discounts
• Free parking
• Smile seeker recognition and reward scheme
• Wagestream - a money management app that gives you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn