Employment Opportunities at The Townsend Hotel

The award winning Townsend Hotel welcomes the opportunity to meet individuals who have the desire, skill, motivation and determination to become a part of a world class organization.

Townsend Hotel Applications are accepted for open positions on Wednesdays between 11am-2pm at our Front Desk. We are located in the heart of downtown Birmingham at 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, Michigan, 48009.

humanresources@townsendhotel.com

OPEN POSITIONS:

In Room Dining Server – Full Time

The In Room Dining Server will spend 75% of their work day providing direct guest service. The position will require that the Server be knowledgeable and have a full understanding of all restaurant menu items. The server will be involved in organizing and expediting the delivery of any guest amenity items to the guest room. The server will answer phone calls, take in room dining orders, place orders, upsell menu items, and deliver the food order to the guest room with formal presentation. The balance of the work day, 25% of the time, will be spent on side work, such as, creating the menu features of the day and delivering the menu to the guest room for guest convenience and reference, polishing silverware, wiping down glasses and covering them with footies, salt and peppers filled; menus should be where they can be easily reached and make sure they are updated, bread fold and napkins folded, bread drawer pre-warmed, ice bucket filled, coffee cups and saucers stocked for the shift, silver trays wiped and polished and clean napkins and table cloths stocked. Flowers and bud vases need to be cleaned and stocked, ready to go. Other prep work essential to completing the guest orders as needed. Requires ability to move fingers and hands quickly and easily. Requires ability to communicate verbally with guests and co-workers and to handle all incoming telephone calls. Knowledgeable of applicable franchise standards and procedures. Requires knowledge of menu items, prices, and daily specials. Requires ability to work well with the public and professionally represent the hotel/restaurant. Requires knowledge of proper telephone etiquette. Requires knowledge of Micros system. High school graduate or equivalent is required. Must have ability to utilize simple mathematical skills in totaling costs and making change. Previous In-Room Dining Service experience, for a luxury hotel, is preferred.

Group Reservations & Social Room Block Coordinator

The Group Reservations & Social Room Block Coordinator will spend 40% of their time working on the coordination of group rooms. Promote a smooth transition of all group bookings (corporate and social). Analyze and oversee all group blocks, cutoff dates, and correct due dates. Understand and manage the daily selling, blocking and use of hotel rooms from the reservations and group side. Coordinate all group bookings. Introduce yourself to each even and social contract planner within 24-hours of the event contract being signed. Anticipate operational issues and attempt to resolve before group or guest arrival date. Attend all pre and post conference meetings. Follow up on room block pickup, rooming list cutoff dates, contract due dates, tentative versus definite holds with the goal of maximizing meeting space and hotel room revenue. Maintains a proper and timely group and transient filing system. In addition, 30% of the coordinators time will be spent on social rooms; responsible for booking and managing social room block requests of six rooms or more. Negotiates professionally, with the goal of maximizing hotel revenue while providing a quality guest experience. Create resumes for social blocks to be distributed to all departments. In addition, 25% of the work day, will be spent providing guest service; all telephone calls to be answered within three rings, all guest inquiries to be responded back verbally by the end of business day. All guest inquiries to be responded with proper documentation within twenty-four hours. Maintains proper and professional guest correspondence. Acts as first line of back up to the Reservations Agent. Approximately 5% of the position will be spent on administrative duties; Read and review all group room resumes in a timely manner. Creates a weekly pickup calendar. Understand the reservations functions within the Internet industry. Understand the reservations functions within the GDS industry. Maintains a strong working knowledge of market trends, competition, new methodology and reservation sales methods and techniques. Work closely with Accounting to insure proper revenue-gathering success. Must be able to see and read computer screens, data reports and other business documents. Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, associates and customers, attend meetings and prepare company information and assigned tasks. Requires walking, standing, sitting for significant periods of time. Must be able to write, type, and use phone system. Prior experience working with Opera, both the PMS and Sales & Catering Software, preferred. A thorough working knowledge of standard industry Reservations, Revenue and Yielding systems. Experience with hotel budgeting, forecasting and annual marketing plan. Ability to structure reservation goals. Knowledge of room rates, function space rates, meeting minimums and availability. Computer skills to include typing, filing storage, software expertise within hotel proprietary software and standard office products. Intimate working knowledge of all sleeping rooms, suites, meeting space and other products for general sale. A general knowledge of Front Office arrivals and departures processes. Ability to professionally represent the Townsend Hotel to our guests and surrounding community. Bachelor’s degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management, Accounting, or a commensurate degree. A combination of vocational sales training and/or on-the-job training may substitute for a professional degree. A minimum of (3) years’ experience, within the Rooms Division of the hospitality industry, preferred.

Part Time – Bell/Door Person

The Bell Staff are responsible for providing assistance and service to guests in order to ensure that their arrival and departure experience is pleasurable and informative. This position is responsible for all transport and storage of guest luggage, delivering of packages, mail, faxes, and must be knowledgeable of all hotel amenities. Must possess ability to verbally communicate with world-class corporate leaders, business travelers and guests. Knowledge of the Birmingham area and Metropolitan Detroit is helpful. Position requires repetitive walking, standing, climbing stairs, lifting (50 – 100 pounds minimum), pulling and pushing of transport equipment and use of elevators. Hours of work will include various days and hours depending on hotel occupancy, and will include one (1) overnight shift per week, as well as holidays and weekends.

House Person - Housekeeping Department

Responsible for keeping public areas and restrooms clean throughout the hotel. Collects and delivers items for housekeepers as needed and occasionally assists with cleaning rooms. House Person will also provide back up support in Laundry. Must be able to communicate verbally, in writing and via radio with other hotel staff members. Must be able to read and follow directions. Position requires repetitive walking, standing, lifting, bending and reaching for the majority of shift. Requires the ability to push/pull a service cart without assistance.

Professional Servers

The Rugby Grille is looking to add staff to our team of professional servers. Servers are responsible for the proper presentation and timing of food and beverages to customers in a fine dining restaurant environment. Anticipating and exceeding guests' expectations through keen observation is our goal. Successful applicants will have prior fine dining experience, be knowledgeable of computerized P.O.S. operations, have excellent communication skills, and be responsible for check and cash handling. Menu and wine knowledge required. Side work consists of attending tastings, pre-shift meetings, special projects, set up and detail of assigned station. Position requires standing/walking for the entire shift, ability to move hands and fingers quickly and easily, reaching, bending, stooping, and lifting.

Shift Engineer/Hotel Maintenance - Full Time

Shift Engineer is responsible for providing maintenance repairs to hotel guest rooms, public areas and administrative offices: repairs may include plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, ventilation, furnishings and fixtures, painting, wall cover repairs, light carpentry, door and window repairs. Requirements include: a working knowledge of refrigeration; air conditioning; electric; plumbing; kitchen equipment and other mechanical devices; ability to meet the physical demands of the position, such as heavy lifting, working on ladders, and standing or walking for extended periods of time. Excellent customer service skills and the ability to work well under pressure are highly desirable. Selected candidate will be trained on all shifts. Once training is complete the selected candidate will be assigned to work two (2) midnight shifts and (3) afternoon shifts each week, the scheduled shifts may include weekends and holidays.

Host/Hostess – Rugby Grille – Part Time

The Rugby Grille host/hostess will spend the majority of their shift providing guest service, and during slow times will complete side work, update Open Table, or assist Rugby staff and customers as needed. The position will require knowledge of menu prices, daily specials, menu items, Open Table and Micros systems. The host/hostess will be aware of the guest at all times and anticipate and respond to the guest’s needs, escorting guests to their table, and seasonal hanging of coats. The associate will be neatly attired at all times and will possess a professional and congenial attitude. The host will handle incoming telephone calls to the restaurant and take reservations. The position requires the ability to work well with the public and professionally represent the hotel/restaurant and to resolve issues in a courteous manner. Position requires walking and standing for long periods of time throughout the work shift.

Banquet Captain - Full Time

The Banquet Captain's duties will be divided between Guest Services, Supervising Team Members, and Administration. Requires familiarity with applicable standards and procedures. Requires knowledge, skill and ability in all banquet operations: employee training, proper guest services, laws, health regulations, reporting requirements, event set-up and breakdown procedures, scheduling, communicating with clients and guests. High school graduate or equivalent required. Ideal candidates will have (1-3 years) professional banquet experience and (1 year) minimum supervisory experience. Knowledge of formal food and wine service required. Requires walking or standing for significant periods of time, perhaps for entire shift. Requires verbal and written communication with hotel staff and patrons. Requires ability to move fingers and hands quickly and easily. Requires lifting and moving equipment. Computer knowledge and experience required using Opera, Excel, Word.

Kitchen Steward/Dishwasher

Hourly position works various days and hours depending on business demands including weekends and holidays. Responsible for properly washing, sanitizing and storing all dishes, glasses, pots and silverware and keeping area up to health code standards. Responsibilities also to include removing garbage, keeping service alley, floors and employee break room clean and sanitized..

Line Cook

Full time, hourly position, works various days and or hours depending on business demands, including weekends. Formal culinary training preferred, plus 2 years working experience in hotel/restaurant kitchens. Must be detail oriented; possess time management skills, able to follow banquet prep list and banquet event orders and work as a team member.

Banquet Server/House Staff

Attends to the needs and requests of guests. Preferred candidates will have previous server experience in a banquet/event setting and be familiar with proper serving etiquette. Duties may include waiting on guests, serve food and beverages, event set up, moving tables, chairs, setting up dance floor, setting tables, filling water glasses, setting up clearing stations, stacking dishes and glassware on the dish line, keeping floors and carpets free of debris, maintain cleanliness of storeroom and all banquet areas. Must be available to work weekends, especially Saturdays. Must be a team player, hard-working, dependable, possess leadership qualities, have a positive can-do attitude, be customer service focused.

Corporate Catering Sales Manager

Are you comfortable selling a luxury product? Are you passionate in your approach to selling and accountable in ensuring you deliver what was promised? Are you a team player?
This position could be for you!
Proactive Selling/Site Tours & Outside Sales Calls – 90% Develop new business relationships; call on existing corporate catering only bookings for future bookings from market segment. Recognize opportunities to maximize revenue by upselling and offering enhancements to create outstanding events. Identifies the group’s budget and upsells food and beverage to increase the average check, while taking into consideration the personality and background of the group. Contacts people (exhibitors) associated with groups to sponsor additional food functions. Uncovers as much information as possible from the event planner regarding the group’s habits in order to aid other hotel outlets in their staffing requirements. Makes 65+ calls per week to promote free-standing catering business. Submits each Friday at 5 PM weekly call plan for the following week to include resumes and BEO’s to be written, future convention planning in process, and time permitting, special sales projects which can be completed to assist the local sales effort. Respond to all incoming calls within the same business day. Schedule venue site tours for future bookings and a minimum of 6 outside calls per month. Attend appropriate networking events for future contacts. Submits each Friday the weekly production report which is a breakdown of food, beverage and room rental sales during the week.
Administrative Work Required-10% Works with Catering office facilitator to ensure all details of a meeting are recorded for delivering and exceeding the client’s expectations.
Essential Skills: Familiarity with applicable hotel standards and procedures. Previous knowledge, skill and ability in hotel sales and procedures from initial booking of a function through follow- up at the end of the function. Requires ability to upsell group banquet food and beverage functions. Must possess a positive attitude, and attention to detail in working with the guest. Requires a high degree of social skills and ability to perform detail work under pressure. Previous knowledge and or training in the use of Opera (Sales & Catering Software) preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have familiarity with food service, room reservations and set-up work. Ability to operate a calculator and computer. Requires ability to work unusual hours. Must have previous luxury hotel Corporate Sales or Catering Experience in the Detroit/Bloomfield/Southfield Markets.
Requires walking/standing to a significant degree. Requires typing/keyboarding, movement of hands and fingers quickly and easily. Requires ability to communicate verbally and in writing with hotel staff and guest and to handle sales phone calls. Requires ability to drive to outside sales calls. Requires ability to work flexible work schedule and to achieve budgeted goals. Environmental Conditions: While on outside sales calls exposure to current weather conditions – heat, cold, rain, snow, and so on.

MISSION STATEMENT

· Provide a "world class" experience for every guest and client that is engaging, enduring and results in greater business and greater opportunity for hotel staff.

· The work environment will be noted for its open and effective communication, team effort and mutual respect for and between all employees, centered around a philosophy of life long learning.

HIGHLIGHT OF BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Coverage
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Insurance Product Line
• Paid Time Off Program
• 401k Plan
• Paid Holidays

EEOC

The Townsend Hotel is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.

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