At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Conference & Banqueting department, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: The Bedford Swan Hotel, a landmark hotel with a focus on service excellence.
- Benefits: Up to £38,000 salary, staff discounts, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting career growth within a supportive hotel group.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and create memorable events in a prestigious hotel setting.
- Qualifications: Previous management experience in hospitality and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 33000 £ per year.
The Bedford Swan Hotel, located right on the Great Ouse River, is one of Bedford's landmark hotels. A busy 137-bedroom hotel with a thermal spa, high-end brasserie, afternoon tea room, and a thriving Conference & Banqueting department, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional guest experiences.
We are looking for an experienced Conference & Banqueting Manager who is passionate about hospitality, thrives in a fast-paced operational environment, and enjoys leading high-performing teams. This is a hands-on management role responsible for the overall leadership, organisation, and delivery of our conferences, meetings, weddings, private events, and banqueting operation, ensuring every event exceeds our guests' expectations.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Conference & Banqueting Manager, Events Operations Manager, or an ambitious Assistant Conference & Banqueting Manager ready to take the next step within a prestigious hotel.
What you will be doing:- Lead the day-to-day operation of the hotel's Conference & Banqueting department, ensuring exceptional guest service and flawless operational delivery across conferences, meetings, weddings, private dining, and special events.
- Take responsibility for planning staffing levels, managing rotas and labour costs, overseeing event set-up and service delivery, and ensuring every function room is presented to the highest possible standard.
- Lead the Conference & Banqueting team by example, creating a positive, engaged, and high-performing culture.
- Work closely with the Food & Beverage Operations Manager, Head Chef, Sales & Events Team, and wider hotel management team to ensure every event runs seamlessly from handover through to completion.
- Proactively resolve guest issues, drive service standards, monitor financial performance, manage stock and equipment, and ensure all food safety, licensing, and health & safety requirements are fully complied with.
- Recruit, coach, train and develop your team, conduct regular performance reviews, identify future talent, and continually look for opportunities to improve service standards, guest satisfaction, and departmental profitability.
- Previous management experience within Conference & Banqueting, Events Operations, or Food & Beverage in a busy hotel environment.
- A confident leader with proven experience managing weddings, conferences, and large-scale events whilst motivating teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills, commercially aware, and understand how to manage labour costs, maximise productivity, and maintain consistently high service standards.
- Calm under pressure, highly organised, and passionate about developing people while creating memorable guest experiences.
- Experience managing budgets, rotas, stock control, and departmental KPIs would be highly advantageous.
- Up to £38,000 per annum + TRONC.
- 42.5-hour contract.
- Genuine career development within a growing hotel group.
- Staff discounts on accommodation, food, and beverage.
- Access to retail, leisure, and lifestyle discount platform.
- Wellbeing support, including 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP.
- Cycle to Work and pension schemes.
- Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year rewards.
- Length of Service rewards.
If Bedford Swan Hotel sounds like the perfect place for your next career move, we would love to hear from you. Send us your CV and tell us why you would be the perfect fit for our team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Conference & Banqueting Manager
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Distinct Group. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Distinct Group
Don't be shy about reaching out to Distinct Group directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Conference & Banqueting Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Distinct Group and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Distinct Group
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
