Director of Event Operations - Maternity Cover (6 month FTC)

This role is responsible for the events operations department at Raffles London OWO, a 6-month fixed term contract covering maternity leave. You will ensure guest expectations are met throughout the entire event experience, maintaining exceptional levels of guest communication, preparation, and delivery of all events and meetings. You will work closely with the Kitchen and sales teams, as well as direct hotel employees and agency staff, to ensure standards of service are met and surpassed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document steps of service and procedures.
• Oversee all areas of events service from set up to excitation.
• Recruiting, training, and managing all members of the events operations team.
• Detailed and precise communication with guests in a friendly and professional manner.
• Preparing event spaces for service whilst managing time sensitive targets.
• Take responsibility for departmental training, recruitment, one on ones and appraisals.
• Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned including working in a different department or restaurant, than usually assigned.
• Ensuring composure under pressure and providing leadership and guidance to the Team when required.
• Actively encouraging and promoting employees to be creative and innovative, whilst recognising them for their contributions to the success of the operation.
• Ensure that all potential and real hazards are reported immediately and rectified.
• Be fully conversant with all departmental Fire, Emergency and Bomb procedures.
• Ensure the safety of the persons and the property of all within the premises, by strict adherence to existing laws, statues and applicable ordinances, and by anticipating possible and probable hazards and conditions and either correcting them or pre-planning a defence against them.
• Stimulate and encourage a general awareness of Health and Safety in relation to all tasks and activities undertaken in the department.

Requirements

• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently in English, both verbal and written.
• Market knowledge of competitors and event industry trends
• Strong food and beverage knowledge
• Enthusiasm and commitment to delivering and offering the best service and experiences possible in any situation
• A proven track record and ability to provide high levels of service under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task while maintaining an immaculate and professional appearance.
• An understanding and willingness to contribute to a 24h operational schedule when required.

Nice to have

• Ideally a minimum of five years’ experience in luxury events service.
• Previous experience managing large teams within events operations.
• An understanding of the luxury sector.
• A passion for hospitality
• Previous experience within a luxury hotel environment working with LQA, Forbes 5* or equivalent standards.

Benefits

• 28 days holiday including bank holidays plus a day extra for every year of your service up to 5 years (35 Days) pro rata.
• Staff meals whist on duty.
• Free dry cleaning for uniform.
• Employer pension contribution of 3%
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Life Assurance 1x salary
• Employee assistance program, including virtual GP and financial advice.
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme.
• Colleague gifting to celebrate special occasions.
• Paid days off to move house or give back time to a charity of your choice.
• Internal learning and development programmes tailored to you.
• Fun-filled events, whether that’s a pub quiz, team run or festive party.
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates of up to 30% at Accor worldwide and Raffles London F&B outlets.
• Worldwide development opportunities across Accor’s extensive brand portfolio.