At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Events department, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and successful event delivery.
- Company: Join The Dorchester, a top-rated luxury hotel known for its inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy complimentary stays, discounts, pension contributions, and well-being support.
- Other info: Participate in exciting social events and access award-winning training opportunities.
- Why this job: Become a legend in your field while working in a vibrant and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in luxury hotel events and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Join us at The Dorchester, recognised as one of ‘The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for’ in 2024 & 2025 and ‘Hotel of the year – London’ at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards. We continually strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is part of our DNA, reflected in our values of passion, personality, respect, working together, and creativity. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our culture and drives our success. We care about your career and are known for having the absolute best people in the industry.
When you join us, you start a unique opportunity to become celebrated as the very best in your field. You will learn not only from your fellow Legends, but also through our award-winning learning academy, so that you can achieve the highest standards of craft, service, and leadership.
What you’ll get:
- Complimentary Stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year. Discounts with our hotels, and benefit from discounts at various high street and online shops.
- Employee Perks: Enrol from day 1 into the Royal London Private Pension scheme (we contribute 8% towards your pension); Benefit from seasonal ticket loan, rental deposit scheme, private financial advice, and eye care vouchers.
- Training and Development: Advance in your career by accessing various apprenticeships from Level 2 to Hospitality Degree Level 5. We partner with outstanding nationally recognised Apprenticeship providers.
- Social Events: Participate in vibrant social events, including a summer party, winter ball, pub quizzes, and cultural and milestone recognition celebrations.
- Referral Bonus: Earn a £1000 bonus when you recommend a friend.
- Well-being Support: Access immediate well-being advice because we care about our employees.
What you’ll do:
The Head of Group & Event Planning is responsible for leading the Events department at The Dorchester, ensuring the successful delivery of all group, corporate, social and special occasion events while driving commercial performance, exceptional guest experiences and team development. Working closely with the Director of Events, the role provides day-to-day leadership of the Events team, including Event Managers and Event Executives, ensuring the department consistently achieves revenue targets, delivers exceptional service standards and maintains operational excellence.
The Head of Group & Event Planning will play a key role in developing proactive social sales strategies, growing market share within the luxury events sector and building strong relationships with key clients, planners and industry partners. This role combines strategic leadership, commercial accountability and operational expertise to position The Dorchester as a market-leading luxury events destination.
The operational hours of work are shift-based and we would require flexibility.
What you’ll bring:
- Extensive experience in a similar position in a luxury 5 star hotel environment.
- Deep understanding of luxury business and guests.
- Highly developed interpersonal, adaptive influencing and supervisory skills.
- Ability to work across all levels and functions of the hotel under own initiative in a highly pressured environment.
- Highly computer literate - Opera, Delphi, Microsoft Office, Trust, IDeaS.
Our values of Passion, Personality, Respect, Working Together and Creativity guide us each and every day. As a Head of Group & Event Planning, you’ll have the opportunity to bring these to life and continue to create our legacy. Communication is what keeps our departments running perfectly. You have great communication skills with a strong customer service ethic. English is the primary language used in our hotel.
Head of Group & Event Planning in London employer: DORCHESTER COLLECTION
At Dorchester Collection, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in the luxury hospitality sector, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities to lead innovative digital initiatives, all set against the backdrop of our prestigious locations. Join us to be part of a team that values excellence and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the world of luxury hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Group & Event Planning in London
✨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 DORCHESTER COLLECTION. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to DORCHESTER COLLECTION
Don't be shy about reaching out to DORCHESTER COLLECTION 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 Head of Group & Event Planning in London
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 DORCHESTER COLLECTION 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 DORCHESTER COLLECTION
✨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!
