Director of Banquets at InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf

About Us 

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and one of the world’s leading hotel and resort companies with a family of 19 brands. Our purpose – True Hospitality for Good – comes to life in every one of our collections. With luxury and lifestyle, we are taking it to new heights.

Five visionary brands - InterContinental, Regent Hotels, Six Senses, Vignette Collection and Kimpton Hotels - make up our luxury collection. Individually, they are icons. Together, they bring unforgettable and unparalleled experiences to travelers in over 430 hotels and resorts in 100 countries around the world. 

Having recently added a host of incredible properties to our portfolio, we now stand as one of the world’s leading luxury operators. Each of our hotels cultivates a distinctive style and ambience where we embrace every opportunity to give our guests unforgettable and unparalleled experiences. 

About the hotel

A luxurious hotel destination at The Wharf on D.C.’s Waterfront, the InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf in the reimagined Wharf neighborhood brings sophistication to its contemporary style. Perfectly placed on the beautiful Potomac River, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf enjoys the most incredible waterfront views of D.C. Steps away from America’s political epicenter, the hotel embraces guests with an exquisitely curated resort destination that reignites the river’s edge and a captivating sanctuary in the center of The Wharf neighborhood, paying homage to the maritime and industrial-working heritage of its setting.  Featuring a relaxing seasonal rooftop pool with striking Potomac River views and the indulging full-service spa, The Spa at The Wharf, modern luxury, culture, and a rich history combine in the Wharf neighborhood to create a perfect atmosphere for guests and locals alike.

About the Director of Banquets position

As our new Director of Banquets, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of our banquet division. You will develop and implement strategies to improve the department's profitability while ensuring guest satisfaction in accordance to the hotel standards.  Always following government regulations concerning health, safety or other requirements. You will work closely with the food and beverage/culinary team and employees to successfully execute all banquet operations.

A little taste of your day-to-day

 

• Works with Manager and Human Resource Manager to ensure the departmental performance of staff is productive. Duties include:​

• Assists in planning for future staffing needs ​

• Assists in recruiting in line with company guidelines ​

• Prepares detailed induction program for new staff​

• Assists superior in maintaining a comprehensive, current and guest focused set of departmental standards and procedures and oversees their implementation​

• Ensures training needs analysis of Banqueting staff is carried out and training programs are designed and implemented to meet needs​

• Provides input for probation and formal performance appraisal discussions in line with company guidelines​

• Coaches, counsels and disciplines staff, providing constructive feedback to enhance performance​

• Regularly communicates with staff and maintains good relations​

Financial​

• Works with F&B Director in the preparation and management of the Catering Sales/Operations budget. Duties include:​

• Assists in coordinating the preparation of the banquet sales annual budget​

• Assists in monitoring and controlling departmental cost on an ongoing basis to ensure performance against budget​

• Assists in the preparation of the hotel strategic plan, goals program​

Guest experience​

• Assists in the co-ordination and monitoring of all meetings and conference business​

• Assists in managing the standards and procedures of the department, for instance, ensuring that business has been signed prior to commence planning ​

• Assists in managing the rooming list process​

• Co-ordinate the allocation of space for the conference and associated events​

• Conduct room familiarizations and site inspections​

• Monitor competitor activities​

• Supervise the functioning of all banqueting department employees, facilities, sales and costs, to ensure maximum departmental profit is achieved​

• Controls and analyses, on an on-going basis, the following, in an effort to ensure optimum performance:​

  • Quality levels of product and service​

  • Guest satisfaction​

  • Merchandising and Marketing​

  • Operating costs​

  • Sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene​

 

• Assists in the coordination and liaison with the Food and Beverage Director and the Executive Chef, the pricing and preparation of banquet menus, and beverages and wine lists by taking into consideration such factors as:​

• Local requirements​

• Market needs​

• Competition​

• Trends​

• Recipes​

• Potential costs​

• Availability of Food and Beverage products​

• Merchandising and promotion​

   

• Ensure all food and beverage equipment are in proper operational condition and are cleaned on a regular basis. ​

• Ensure that all food and beverage facilities including banquet/convention space are cleaned, vacuumed, and properly stocked according to anticipated business volume. Notify engineering immediately of any maintenance and repair needs.​

• Establish and achieve quality and guest satisfaction goals. Respond in a courteous and prompt manner to all guest questions, complaints and/or requests to ensure a high level of guest satisfaction.​

Responsible Business ​

• Demonstrate Awareness of OH&S policies and procedures and ensure all procedures are conducted safely and within OH&S guidelines and ensure your direct reports do the same​

• Be aware of duty of care and adhere to occupational, health and safety legislation, policies and procedures​

• Be familiar with property safety, first aid and fire and emergency procedures and operate equipment safely and sensibly​

• Initiate action to correct a hazardous situation and notify supervisors of potential dangers​

• Log security incidents and accidents in accordance with hotel requirements​

 

Accountability​

• Ensures the smooth execution of any Catering event (On & Off premises) as per the desired standards and set benchmarks. Works closely with Catering Sales team to achieve the department annual budget​

  Some college and/or advanced training in food and beverage management plus 2 years of related experience, including supervisory experience (preferably in banqueting operations), or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

What we need from you

• Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent   

• 4 years’ of related experience in HR  

• Some supervisory experience also preferred  

• Professional HR designation preferred

• Ability to maintain confidentiality to the extent possible in all HR related matters  

• Must speak local language(s)  

• Other languages preferred 

What you can expect from us

We give our people everything they need to succeed. From a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business. 

The salary range for this role is $115,000.00 to $125,000.00. This is the lowest to highest pay scale we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. This rate is only applicable for jobs to be performed in Washington, DC. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for bonus pay. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401k, and many other benefits to eligible employees.

You can apply for this role through the link below (or through the internal career site if you are a current employee). 

Note: No amount of pay is considered wages or compensation until earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance by always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts gives every member of the team the room they need to belong, grow and make a difference in a collaborative environment. We know that to work well, we need to feel well – both inside and outside of work – and through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace.  So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognized and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?

As the world’s first and most global luxury hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has pioneered international travel since the 1940s and we are passionate about sharing our renowned international know-how and cultural wisdom in truly impressive surroundings. We all take great pride in being genuine ambassadors of the InterContinental®️ brand and to be part of the brand you will have a thirst for travel, a passion for culture and an appreciation for diversity. We create inspiring experiences for those seeking a richer perspective on the world. If you’d like to embrace a world of opportunities, we’d like to welcome you to the world’s most international luxury hotel brand.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.

At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?