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 vibrant social events and access career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Become a legend in your field while creating unforgettable events in a prestigious setting.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in luxury hotels 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 2024-2026 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.
As a Head of Social Events & Planning, you’ll love what you do and take pride in taking care of our guests. The Head of Social Events & 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 Social Events & 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
- Good project management skills
- 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 Social 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.
What you'll get:
- Complimentary Stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year.
- 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.
- 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.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. If you need us to do anything to support you during the recruitment process, please do call the People & Culture team on 02073197011 or email so that we can discuss how we can support you through this process.
Head of Social Events and Planning in City of Westminster employer: The Dorchester
The Dorchester in Greater London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises communication and customer service. Employees enjoy unique benefits such as complimentary hotel stays and robust career advancement opportunities through comprehensive training programmes, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about culinary excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Social Events and Planning in City of Westminster
✨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 The Dorchester. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to The Dorchester
Don't be shy about reaching out to The Dorchester 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 Social Events and Planning in City of Westminster
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 The Dorchester 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 The Dorchester
✨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!
