Assistant Catering and Events Manager | University of Puget Sound

Columbia Hospitality; Tacoma (WA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Hospitality seeks an Assistant Catering and Events Manager to ensure exceptional client experiences from event planning through execution. The role focuses on achieving revenue growth, building client relationships, and maintaining high service standards in a vibrant university setting in Tacoma.

Benefits

Cellphone Allowance

Free Parking

Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay

Health Benefits

Discounted Lodging

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of hospitality event experience.
• Ability to read/write business correspondence effectively.
• Strong management skills including planning, organizing, and delivery of results.

Responsibilities

• Creates seamless experience from sales to event management.
• Responsible for forecasting revenue and maintaining client relationships.
• Ensures all applicable standards and policies are implemented.

Skills

Sales Skills

Negotiation Skills

Time Management

Interpersonal Influence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Assistant Catering and Events Manager | University of Puget Sound

Let’s start off with the most important part-what’s in it for you:

The Perks

*Eligibility of perks is dependent upon job status

• Pay Range: $25 to $29 DOE
• Cellphone Allowance
• Free Parking
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Paid Time off & Holiday Pay (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• “Columbia Cares” Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Task Force Work Opportunities (Grow your career in idyllic locations across the globe)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)

Our Commitment to you:

“People never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.

Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people-first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight-knit, inclusive, values-driven team and we trust one another to have each other’s backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and a genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.

What you’ll do:

The Brass Tacks

• Achieves SMART goals assigned
• Creates a seamless experience for the client from sales to event management
• Meets and exceeds expectations for revenue growth of assigned bookings
• Responsible for forecasting revenue of assigned groups
• Responds to clients within 24 hours
• Establishes and maintains positive, professional relationships with clients
• Creates a seamless experience for the client from sales to event management
• Obtains necessary information to ensure efficient event planning, including meeting setups, food and beverage specifications, AV requirements, etc. Provides information to operating departments based on property guidelines.
• Knowledgeable on contractual language and ability to explain to clients.
• Monitors client’s satisfaction throughout planning and execution of event.
• Client relationship building including group rebooking
• Achieves client sentiment goals
• Complies with accounting standards (deposits, direct billing, and pre-payment)
• Confirms accurate revenue posting and client billing
• Achieves sales activities, as assigned
• Meets and exceeds expectations for revenue growth of assigned segments (optional function based on property requirements)
• Develops and maintains favorable working relationships and open communication with all departments
• Ensures all applicable standards, policies and procedures are fully implemented in all departments
• Attends required meetings
• May require additional job functions based on business needs, property needs, or other general requests from leadership.

The Nitty Gritty

• Minimum of two years of hospitality event experience
• Strong sales and negotiation skills
• Ability to read/write business correspondence effectively
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all applicable units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.
• Strong management skills, including time management, information analysis, planning and organizing, decision making, problem solving, and delivery of results.
• Strong interpersonal influence skills, including coaching, motivating, delegating, and relationship-building.
• Ability to travel as needed (including air or car, hotel overnight stays, and client entertainment.)
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office; Word, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, and Excel.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Where you’ll work:
Located in a vibrant port city in the Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound is a leading national liberal arts and sciences university preparing students for success since 1888. In an ever-evolving world, we believe that the best preparation for the future is an education that exposes you to multiple perspectives, engages you in work that makes a difference in the world, and helps you discover who you are and what you have to offer. It’s an education that transcends boundaries, teaches you to adapt to changing circumstances, and prepare for careers that might not yet exist.

It’s the people who give a college its personality. If you are interested in joining our community at University of Puget Sound-Apply today!

The Fine Print
Columbia Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We strive for excellence in every position within the company and select the most qualified people who embrace our service philosophy and these values.

Accountability | Creativity | Enthusiasm | Honesty | Inclusion | Respect

Columbia Hospitality is a national management and consulting company with more than 25 years of experience in creating hospitality solutions and delivering exceptional experiences. Our portfolio includes award-winning hotels and resorts, premier residential communities, restaurants and bars, private and public golf clubs, conference centers, and distinctive venues. Columbia Hospitality has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal for their commitment to creating a fun, dynamic and nurturing work environment for team members.