Associate Director of Business Development and Events - Food & Beverage

Over the past two decades, The First Group has forged a reputation as one of the hospitality industry’s leading innovators, providing groundbreaking investment opportunities to clients and partners, while delivering exceptional, memorable experiences to hotel and leisure guests. Our corporate ethos and unique vision for the future of hospitality is encapsulated in our fast-growing portfolio of award-winning hotels and residences, exciting F&B outlets and lifestyle venues, and delivered through our array of complementary third-party hotel and asset management services.

Core to our vision for the future of hospitality is The First Collection, our award-winning hotel brand that reflects the rich culture, innovative spirit, and unparalleled refinement for which Dubai is famous for. The First Collection’s urban lifestyle resorts, situated in prime locations across Dubai, are renowned for their unique blend of world-class hospitality and modern flair, as well as their cutting-edge guest facilities and services, which include exclusive access to the stunning Soluna Restaurants and Beach Club, located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah.

Every hotel in our fast-growing portfolio reflects our ambition to capture the essence of urban living, blending it seamlessly with the tranquillity of a serene getaway. The First Collection echoes the city’s heartbeat, ensuring all our guests are made to feel a part of the magnificent tapestry of Dubai, the world’s most exciting metropolis.

The Associate Director, Business Development and Events - Food & Beverage is responsible for exceeding F&B group & events sales objectives and managing the Soluna and Restaurants reservations department. Actively drive events revenue by seeking business leads and proactively contacting potential clients and partners, whilst working closely with the operations teams to ensure seamless execution. Responsible for achieving set and agreed targets around event sales, group bookings, Soluna bookings from TFG and other properties. Manage restaurant reservations department ensuring the team handle all guest inquiries and bookings efficiently, courteously, and professionally. Always maintain a high standard of service and quality delivery.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works closely with the Corporate Directors of F&B in order to increase Revenue across key areas, including Risen Catering & Bakeries, Special Events, Group Bookings, Festive and holiday periods
• Maximizing revenue and profitability from all market segments with a special emphasis on building corporate relationships.
• Work seamlessly with Soluna GM and team, plus Hotel GMs to meet Soluna capture targets, bookings and manage the process of ticketing and arrival.
• To regularly make face-to-face sales calls to meet key accounts and contacts directly.
• Develops strong rapport and builds business relationships with local customer base through sales and customer meetings.
• To maintain all sales records and reports, for reporting and bonus calculation purposes.
• To organize and, if & when needed, to participate in sales trips and as well as to make sure that the F&B is participating in local & international platforms as appropriate.
• To attend all company social and promotional functions, maintaining a high profile with current and prospective clients
• Prepares the annual budget and sets yearly/periodic targets for the team.
• To organise and streamline the administration of the department including but not limited to taking reservations, group bookings, updating reports, guest capture ratio, forecasts, promotions communication, VIP guest report etc for a smooth overall operation.
• Coordinates with venue managers to ensure delivery of the highest standards of services to exceed customer expectations.
• Manages VIP table bookings for TFG Senior management.

• Bachelor or master’s degree in sales and/ or marketing.
• Minimum experience of 5 years in a performance marketing role, lead generation and omni channel digital marketing.
• Proficient with ServMe reservations System.
• Proficient with MS Office Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
• Highly proficient with using social media.
• UAE Drivers License and vehicle
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and possess practical time management skills
• Past work with digital marketing forms like content marketing and social media marketing
• Proven budget management abilities