About the Role
The Director of Front Office is responsible for ensuring the operation of Guest Services, Valet, and Front Desk service in an attentive, friendly, efficient and courteous manner, providing all guests with quality service while maximizing room revenue and productivity, and developing managers and employees. This position oversees associates represented by 2 different unions.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the operation of Guest Services, Valet, and Front Desk service in an attentive, friendly, efficient and courteous manner.
- Provide guests with quality service while maximizing room revenue and productivity.
- Develop managers and employees.
- Respond to all guest requests, problems, complaints and/or accidents in an attentive, courteous and efficient manner and follow up to ensure guest satisfaction.
- Motivate, coach, counsel and discipline all assigned personnel according to hotel standards.
- Prepare and conduct all front-of-house interviews and follow hiring procedures.
- Actively support Human Resources with recruiting efforts.
- Ensure that all managers are in compliance with the standards in their interviewing and hiring procedures.
- Develop employee morale and ensure training of Rooms Division personnel.
- Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers, employees and other departments.
- Ensure implementation of all Highgate Hotel policies and house rules.
- Monitor oversold dates to ensure the maximization of rooms revenue.
- Tour rooms operating departments daily, greeting employees and soliciting feedback.
- Ensure compliance with effective training according to Highgate Hotel standards.
- Hold daily and monthly meetings with managers and employees.
- Monitor and support Hyatt programs such as GEM and Gold Passport.
- Monitor expenses to ensure expense control and maximize profit, using checkbook accounting as a control mechanism.
- Monitor and ensure compliance with SOP’s.
- Conduct walk-throughs of public areas and guestrooms to ensure that cleanliness and maintenance standards are met.
- Perform performance reviews according to SOP, and ensure that managers are in compliance with the standards in their administration of performance reviews to their employees.
- Monitor labor expenses through schedule approval process and ensure budgeted productivity.
- Prepare managers succession through development of their need areas.
- Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled.
- Operate all aspects of the Front Office computer system.
- Monitor proper operation Synergy MMS and ensure proper internal and external follow up to requests.
- Assist in preparation of revenue and occupancy forecasting.
- Efficiently and professionally communicate with hotel staff.
- Coordinate all aspects of the ongoing implementation of the Highgate Hotel philosophy of service.
- Ensure that staff is knowledgeable in understanding and implementing corporate programs.
- Monitor all V.I.P.'s, special guests and req.
Requirements
- At least 6 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 4-year college degree and at least 2 years of related experience; or a 2-year college degree and 4 or more years of related experience.
- Previous Front Office management experience is required.
- Must be proficient in MS Excel and MS Word.
- Long hours sometimes required.
- Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
- Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
- Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
- Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
- Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
- Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
- Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards.
- Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.
- Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
- Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
- Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
- Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
Skills
- Guest Services
- Valet
- Front Desk service
- MS Excel
- MS Word
- Communication
- Active Listening
- Multitasking
- Prioritization
- Problem Solving
- Data Evaluation
- Confidentiality
Location
- San Francisco, CA
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Management
- 6+ years experience
Education Level
- 4-year college degree
- 2-year college degree
About the Company
- Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company recognized as an innovator.
- Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities and has a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint.
- The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle.
- Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts.
- The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools.
- Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle.
