Catering Manager

Catering Manager The Catering Manager is responsible for leading efforts for all catering business at Riviera Palm Springs, including weddings, social celebrations, nonprofit events, and catering group business. This role manages the client journey from initial inquiry through event execution, while serving as a polished and confident brand ambassador for the resort. This individual will play a key role in positioning Riviera Palm Springs as a premier destination for weddings and social events, while also helping clients envision the elevated future of the property as it undergoes its luxury transformation. The ideal candidate brings strong catering sales and servicing experience, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to balance strategic selling with hands-on event management. This person will be responsible for cultivating new business opportunities, managing all phases of planning and execution, and ensuring each event reflects the resort's service standards, brand promise, and luxury positioning. Key Responsibilities Lead the sales and service efforts for all catering business, including weddings, social celebrations, nonprofit events, and catering group business, managing the client journey from initial inquiry through event execution. Sell and service the resort's catering offerings, including the additional garden event space, ensuring alignment with client needs and operational capabilities. Respond to all inquiries with refinement, warmth, and urgency, delivering an exceptional first impression that reflects Riviera Palm Springs' elevated service standards. Nurture leads through personalized, consultative communication, guiding couples, planners, and clients with confidence, creativity, and thoughtful recommendations. Build strong, lasting relationships with brides, grooms, social hosts, planners, nonprofit organizations, and key catering clients, serving as a trusted advisor throughout the planning process. Balance strategic selling with hands-on servicing, remaining highly client-facing while driving conversion, revenue growth, and long-term reputation. Business Development & Market Presence Proactively cultivate new wedding and catering opportunities through strategic prospecting, relationship development, networking, and presence within the wedding and social events community. Represent the hotel at top wedding shows, bridal salons, showcases, and relevant industry events to position Riviera Palm Springs as a premier wedding and social events destination. Act as a polished and confident brand ambassador for the Riviera, conveying the elevated experience of both the current property and its forthcoming luxury transformation. Own and expertly manage all online wedding and catering channels, including WeddingWire, The Knot, and other hotel-supported luxury event sales platforms. Site Inspections, Planning & Event Execution Curate bespoke site inspections for weddings and catering events, leveraging model rooms, design renderings, and future-state storytelling to help clients envision their event within the renovated Riviera. Advise clients on design and offerings to help execute premium wedding and catering packages, promotions, and seasonal offerings aligned with the hotel's luxury positioning and renovation narrative. Conduct pre- and post-conference planning meetings to align and strategize with operations leadership. Partner closely with Culinary, Banquets, Operations, and Event Services to ensure every event reflects the Riviera's service excellence and brand promise. Ensure seamless communication between client expectations and hotel execution, following up as needed to support service delivery and client satisfaction. Systems, Reporting & Forecasting Manage CRM activity utilizing Delphi to track incoming inquiries, maintain event details, load banquet event orders, create floorplans, and update ongoing details for each event. Assist with effective forecasting by ensuring events and details are loaded in Delphi and coded correctly in systems for reporting and revenue tracking needs. Analyze wedding and catering performance and contribute ideas and insights to continuously refine the sales approach, strengthen conversion, and improve overall catering results. Cross-Functional Partnership Work closely with operations leadership and internal departments to ensure events are sold, planned, and executed in a manner that supports both client expectations and operational excellence. Collaborate with culinary, banquets, and resort leadership to deliver a high-quality event experience that enhances guest satisfaction and supports the Riviera's market positioning. Serve as a key contributor to the resort's commercial success by driving catering revenue, strengthening market presence, and supporting the long-term reputation of the property as a leading wedding and events destination. Skills & Abilities Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Ability to provide a high-touch, consultative sales approach while managing multiple events and deadlines simultaneously. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including banquet event order preparation, floorplan creation, and event documentation. Ability to collaborate effectively with culinary, banquets, operations, and event services teams to ensure seamless execution. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm, polished, and responsive in a fast-paced environment. Flexible schedule required, including availability on weekends, evenings, and regular Saturdays to accommodate wedding site tours, client meetings, and service execution. Qualifications 3–5 years of progressive experience in catering sales, wedding sales, event planning, or hotel catering management, preferably within an upscale or luxury hotel or resort environment. Proven success in selling and servicing weddings, social events, nonprofit functions, and catering group business, including luxury weddings and high-end social events. Established relationships within the Palm Springs wedding, social, and catering community, with experience representing a hotel or venue at bridal shows, showcases, and industry events. Experience managing WeddingWire, The Knot, and other luxury event sales platforms. Background in resort repositioning, luxury storytelling, or selling through renovation or transformation periods. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Delphi Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including some travel for industry events or client engagement Flexible schedule required, including availability on weekends, evenings, and regular Saturdays to accommodate wedding site tours, client meetings, and service execution. Valid driver's license (if applicable) and compliance with employment eligibility standards