Company Description
Recognized as the #1 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city’s sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views.
The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms and a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodate guests. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada’s Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia’s stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property’s prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.
Job Description

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS INCLUDE:

• Hospitality Management Degree or equivalent an asset
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Conference Services Manager or similar role
• Must be able to work independently and maintain a positive attitude within a very busy environment
• Proven ability to plan and organize events effectively, with an acute sense of detail
• Computer literate with Opera software
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Knowledgeable on food and beverage trends and the luxury hotel market
• Knowledge of hotel banquet operations and reservations are an asset
• Must have ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
  Additional Information
  Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
  Your team and working environment: Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

Reporting to the Director of Events Sales & Services, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Solicit and confirm event related information with client to fulfill contractual timelines and commitments
• To conduct necessary site inspections; upsell of the hotel’s services, suggesting suitable menus, events and activities.
• Plan creative experiences in collaboration with the Banquet Chef to curate custom menus
• Coordinate various production elements and logistics including: electrical, internet, telecommunications, audio-visual, exhibit and third party requirements
• Create floor plans that optimize space and ensure a memorable guest experience
• Finalizing event setups in planning phase to ensure banquet operations and client are in agreement prior to set up of meeting and event spaces
• Obtain guarantees of food and beverage events for banquets and culinary operations to manage and control labour and food costs
• Initiate billing procedures, ensuring client credit is established and deposits and/or credit applications are received with adequate information and within an acceptable timeline
• To relay all details of conferences and events to all departments in a professional thorough and timely manner using Conference resumes, Banquet Event Orders and internal memos effectively
• Conduct pre-conference meetings to ensure key operational departments are fully engaged and prepared to exceed expectations of our client programs
• Conduct and/or attend daily meetings to review event logistics to ensure last minute revisions are communicated with accuracy to banquets, culinary, stewarding and on-site audio-visual provide
• Establish good business and social relationships with industry clients and partners by participating in activities to further increase sales opportunities for the Hotel
• To effectively use function space to maximize revenues
• Responsible for the managing of guestroom blocks and food and beverage covers in order to maintain forecast accuracy
• To maintain high quality of service standards required by the hotel and by the Company
• Work closely with the client and Hotel departments throughout the duration of the event ensuring the successful outcome of the client’s program from arrival to departure.
• To foster a co-operative team spirit with and between Sales, Banquets & Culinary
• To handle general inquiries
• Additional duties as assigned by the Director of Event Sales & Services

Qualifications