Now Hiring - Director of Special Event Sales & Operations - The Reef in Long Beach, CA

Company Overview:

We are a family-owned company with 16+ restaurant concepts nationwide and recently named one of the Top 200 Restaurant Groups by Nation’s Restaurant News. Our restaurant group is big enough to provide tremendous growth opportunities, yet nimble enough that you can make a difference and your voice will be heard. Be part of a unique, innovative, thriving restaurant group that is known for having “The Hottest Cocktail Spot” – Eater LA, two locations listed in Yelp 100’s “Most Romantic Restaurants”, and three of the “Top 100 Independent Restaurants” in sales in the USA – Restaurant Business.

The Reef was Specialty Restaurants' first restaurant, opened in 1958. Since then, The Reef has undergone multiple multi-million-dollar renovations, offering guests and team members an unforgettable, high-end experience. Fresh seafood, prime cuts, and innovative fare with a subtle Polynesian twist, The Reef on the Water puts a classy and delectable spin on California’s surf and turf cuisine. Guests bask in the beautiful California sun during daytime events and experience the twinkling lights of the Long Beach Harbor by night. The Reef offers a unique culinary experience with unmatchable views of the Long Beach skyline that is sure to impress.

Our mission at Specialty Restaurants is to consistently deliver a 5-star experience for our teams, guests, partners and community. We look forward to adding our next valued team member!

Job Summary:

The Director of Special Event Sales and Operations is responsible for selling. booking and overseeing the events according to established sales projections and priorities. This person directs a sales team in meeting designated targets. They solicit local businesses, outside groups, conventions, weddings, etc. and respond to inquiries for those special events. They are also responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Special Events Operations. They exemplify the company’s values, safety and sanitation standards, code of conduct and work rules. They are highly skilled in leadership and special events principles, skilled at using all information restaurant systems, and maintain the highest level of professionalism.

Pay range: $90000 - $110000 / year

Top-notch Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Benefits including vacation pay, medical, dental and vision insurance
• Lifestyle Spending Account, this benefit supports you and your family in numerous ways such as through gym memberships, child care, groceries, student loans & more!
• Company dining package with allotted spending amount each month
• Variety of Supplemental Benefit Plans for life’s unknowns
• 401k with annual employer match after 12 months (ER match 25% of the first 5% contribution)
• Employer paid life Insurance throughout the length of employment
• Paid/Floating holidays for 5 major holidays
• Education Assistance Program (EdAP) for hospitality related education growth
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist with work life balance
• Management Referral Program with up to a $4,000 payout for qualifying management positions

Job Duties:

• Directs the efficient and effective operation of the special events department and sales team in accordance with established policies, procedures and guidelines, revenue targets, safety and sanitation requirements, and executive leadership directives.
• Aligns, develops, and implements marketing strategies to achieve special events revenue targets, and works in conjunction with the District Manager and Special Event Call Center Manager to create monthly and quarterly sales plans.
• Networks and builds effective relationships with local client bases, businesses, outside groups, conventions, etc. in order to promote the restaurant’s special events services, and responds to inquiries.
• Oversees and approves, or personally negotiates special events contracts in accordance with established policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Reviews labor forecasts and budget projections to ensure that restaurant departmental targets in are in alignment; and generates financial and operational reports to Regional Manager in accordance with established procedures and deadlines.
• Directs the efficient and effective operation of the restaurant, aligns financials and operating budget targets with established priorities, and oversees or personally carries key activities, such as but not limited to FOH, BOH and special events, bar management, risk management, health and safety, inventory, scheduling, accounting, cash management, payroll, operating systems, and compliance in accordance with established policies, procedures and guidelines, steps of service requirements, IDPRP manual, and executive leadership directives.
• Oversees and evaluates the hiring, retention, promotion, training and disciplinary practices of the restaurant to ensure alignment with compliance and corporate requirements; reviews and approves recommendations from Department Heads related to hiring, promotions, performance reviews, and termination of team members.
• Reviews labor forecasts and budget projections to ensure that restaurant departmental targets in are in alignment; and generates financial and operational reports to District Manager in accordance with established procedures and deadlines.
• Interfaces with guests to diffuse and resolve complaints according to established protocols and procedures, and collaborates with the District Manager and other key stakeholders when incidents escalate or become unsafe.
• Promotes effective strategies and employee engagement approaches to instill team support of organizational values, priorities and objectives.

Education and Certification:

• 4-year college degree in marketing, business administration, or closely related field (preferred)
• 5 years of progressively responsible sales experience with a full-service hotel, restaurant, or catering company, two years of which must have included managing a sales team.

Work Behaviors:

• Exemplifies the Company’s values (PRIDE)
• Fosters and promotes effective employee relations
• Fosters a workplace culture of hospitality, respect, safety and sanitation
• Consistently manages, evaluates and documents employee behavior and performance
• Demonstrates a responsive, caring and respectful approach in all personal interactions with others
• Responds to client inquiries and concerns quickly with compassion and solution-driven approach
• Wears approved manufacturer certified slip resistant or non-slip shoes at all times while working
• Complies with all safety and sanitation, code of conduct, work rules and management instructions, deadlines, policies and procedures
• Complies with all hygiene and personal grooming requirements
• Participates in all required training and completes all required examinations

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced skill in prospecting, rapport building, listening and objection handling in order to effectively close special event sales
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to effectively engage others verbally
• Ability to listen and speak in English in order to maintain effective communications in the performance of essential job functions
• Ability to read and comprehend multiple data sources, such as contracts, written work instructions, policies, procedures and other work materials in English in order to perform essential duties in accordance with safety, sanitation and operational standards and trainings
• Knowledge of grammar and writing principles in order to compose ideas, work instructions and directives, policies/procedures, corrective actions, and other communications in writing
• Knowledge of supervision and performance management principles
• Demonstrated skill in the application of sales and client management information systems to effectively and correctly execute various transactions
• High level of attention to detail
• Strong knowledge of financial and budgeting principles
• Intermediate arithmetic and Excel spreadsheet skills in order create financial, forecasting and sales reports

Schedule Requirements

• Full-time

Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; and is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recognize that people are our finest asset. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, religion or belief, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or sexual orientation or any other classification protected by law.

Specialty Restaurants Corporation maintains a drug free workplace. The Company will consider for employment qualified applications with criminal histories in a manner that is consistent with local, state, and federal law. All job offers are contingent upon successfully passing of a background check.