Events Coordinator and Host

Recruit Genie; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Special discounts on stays and dining

Referral and Trip Advisor bonuses

Additional anniversary holiday

Meals on duty and uniforming

Employee Assistance Program with free

Flexible working options

Annual appraisal & Personal Dev Plan

Job summary

Dakota in Newcastle upon Tyne is looking for an organised reservations and events coordinator to deliver outstanding guest service and manage event bookings. You’ll handle enquiries, contracts and deposits, while coordinating with chefs and the operations team to ensure flawless delivery.

Role requires strong admin skills, a passion for hospitality and flexibility with shifts. You’ll contribute to guest recognition and help grow the Dakota experience across bars and dining outlets.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years working experience in a hospitality setting, preferably in a hotel.
• Strong administrative skills with ability to prioritise and work at pace.
• Experience working in 4* and 5* hotels preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible with shifts and peak times; available to work around business needs.
• Fully computer literate; PMS knowledge desirable with full training provided.

Responsibilities

• Deliver guest service as a reservationist and coordinator for event bookings and enquiries.
• Capture event enquiries, secure contracts and deposits, deliver show-arounds, and be the main contact for guests.
• Manage the reservations and events inbox with efficiency and accuracy.
• Organise and coordinate events from start to finish and hand over requirements to operations; liaise with F&B Manager and Head Chef.
• Upsell the Dakota experience including Bar and Restaurant; attend wedding fayres and VIP events; provide feedback for marketing.
• Create weekly function sheets detailing event information for Operations meetings; recognize repeat guests with Front of House teams.
• Detail event logistics (pre-orders, name cards, menu choices) and hand over to operations.
• Undertake Bar & Grill Assistant duties when not on events to maintain high-quality F&B delivery.

Skills

Hospitality experience

Administrative skills

4/5 star hotel experience

Communication skills

People skills

Flexibility

Dispatcher/coordination

Customer service

PMS knowledge

Tools

Property Management System (PMS)

Job description

PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver fantastic guest service as a reservationist and coordinator for event bookings. Provide a consistently excellent level of guest service in accordance with our service principles and values, ensuring that all guests receive special attention and recognition.
• Be responsible for capturing event enquiries, securing all enquiries with relevant contracts and deposits, delivering personalised show arounds, and being the point of contact for guests.
• Manage the reservations and events inbox with efficiency and attention to detail, prioritising enquiries to deliver prompt, professional responses while effectively managing own time and workload.
• Organise and coordinate events from start to finish before handing over event requirements to our operations team to deliver the experience, working closely to our F&B Manager and Head Chef to arrange all event requirements.Work closely with all other departments especially F&B, effectively communicating and handing over information from planning stages to delivery.
• Always work to upsell the entire Dakota experience, including our Bar and Restaurant, and additional services. As part of the designated sales activities, attend wedding fayres, host VIP events, and provide feedback into marketing collateral in relation to events sales needs.
• Create function sheets with all the events details on a weekly basis to present at the hotel weekly operations meeting. Work closely with the Front of House Team to give recognition to our repeat guests and to tailor the guest experience.
• Be hands‑on in completing the aspects of detailing for an event such as collating pre-orders for private dinners over 10, creating name cards with guest's menu choices and hand over to the operations team, and creating a table plans for our guests.
• Actively undertake Bar and Grill Assistant duties when not working on events, contributing on the floor to the delivery of a high-quality Food and Beverage experience.

WHAT WE OFFER

In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include:

FINANCIAL

• Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota
• Bonuses to recommend a friend to join our team and every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
• Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment
• Meals on duty and uniforming

WELLBEING

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes free private mental health support and counselling sessions, video GP consultations and private prescription services, as well as access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
• Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
• Family-friendly flexible working options
• Participation in meaningful initiatives such as Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and the Walk for Wellbeing, Supporting causes that matter while connecting with colleagues

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment
• Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
• Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
• Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in‑house Apprenticeships

Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will have/be:

• A minimum of two years working experience in a hospitality setting, preferably in a hotel environment.
• A strong administrator with the ability to prioritise and work at pace.
• Experience working in 4* and 5* hotels are strongly preferred
• Great communicator and a genuine people person
• Hands‑on approach to all aspects of the role, available to work flexible shifts and present in the business during peak times
• Fully computer literate. A knowledge of a property management system is desirable however full training will be given
• An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
• Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
• Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.