Katherine M Taylor
MONTECITO,CA
Summary
Talented professional offering proven background in business settings and driving organizational change at operational levels. Demonstrated leadership, planning, and problem-solving abilities focused on delivering robust, performance-oriented strategies to meet current and expected demands.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Executive Director of Catering & Events
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Santa Barbara
03.2023 - Current
- Responsible for a $+10 million annual Catering & Events budget
- Create and implement Commercial Action Plan to drive top line revenues
- Managed and planned legacy accounts
- Recruited, trained, mentored, evaluated, coached, and managed staff members to ensure success in achieving their goals.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Aligned department vision, goals, and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Created promotional materials and provided insightful information to social media, websites and print media to educate public.
- Developed and implemented organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
Director of Event Planning
Marriott International
Anaheim
02.2019 - 02.2022
- Responsible for a $20+ million annual Catering & Events budget
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy. - Lead Event and Housing team of 20 - 3 Senior Event and 5 Event Managers and 1 Housing Supervisor with 2 catering and event coordinators, 5 housing coordinators, 3 administrative assistants
- Revenue Maximization -work closely with DOS, DOGS, DRM, to ensure revenue maximization of space and guest rooms
- Planning and Execution - Ability to set objectives and goals to achieve results
- Communication- Confident communicator with ability to tailor communication style to my clients
- Strength in developing rapport and lasting relationships
- Negotiations- Persuasive communicator with developed negotiation skills
- Ability to respond to unanticipated circumstances and overcome obstacles
- Excellent follow up skills with the ability to close the sale
- Leadership- Proven record of leading and mentoring management and administrative team.
Complex Director of Catering & Events
Hilton Worldwide
Anaheim/Orange
11.2018 - 02.2019
- Responsible for $5 million annual Catering & Events budget
- Create and implement Commercial Action Plan to drive top line revenues
- Managed and planned legacy accounts
- Recruited, trained, mentored, evaluated, coached, and managed staff members to ensure success in achieving their goals.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Aligned department vision, goals, and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover. - Created promotional materials and provided insightful information to social media, websites and print media to educate public.
- Developed and implemented organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
Senior Event Manager
Wyndham Worldwide
09.2017 - 11.2018
- Forecasting and budget analysis
- Train coordinators and junior event planners in resumes, BEOs, precons and develop the teams time management, organization and prioritizing skills.
Event Manager
09.2014 - 09.2017
- Manage payment structure, room block management, food and beverage, room rental/exhibit fees, and master billing process
- Execute negotiated group sales agreement and vendor partner agreements
- Direct customer services via site visits, board meetings, menu testing, and planning meetings.
Independent Event Planner
Events By Katherine
Greater Boston & Southern New Hampshire, MA
08.2000 - 07.2014
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Implemented protocols and procedures to effectively manage planning process.
- Coordinated transportation and parking arrangements for guests and vendors.
- Brainstormed and implemented creative event concepts and themes.
- Arranged availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation and displays for various types of events.
- Created and maintained event expenditures, budgets and timelines in job-related software.
- Developed detailed event reports, documenting all aspects of each event.
- Attended conferences and events to stay up-to-date with industry trends and planning standards.
- Trained and supervised event staff to complete tasks on time.
- Coordinated florists, photographers, and musicians for events.
- Communicated with catering, lighting and sound companies to obtain price quotes.
- Acquired contracts and agreements to finalize negotiations and obtain approval signatures.
- Utilized social media to promote events and increase attendance.
- Negotiated contracts with venues, vendors and suppliers to obtain best rates and services.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
Education
Associate of Science - Hospitality & Hotel Management
NHCC
Nashua, NH 01.2010 - 05.2014
Associate of Science - Marketing
SBCC
Santa Barbara, CA 02.2024 - Current
Skills
- Talent Management and Staffing
- Team Leadership, Training, and Development
- Client Services
- Business Administration
- Business Management
- Relationship Building
- Project Management
- Performance Feedback
- Budgeting and Financial Management
- Compliance and Regulations
- Business & Strategic Planning
- Stakeholder Relations
- Vendor Relations
- Data Interpretation
- Contract Management
- Report Compilation
- Documentation and Reporting
- Travel Planning
- Report Generation
- Business Correspondence
- Customer Service
- Schedule Management
- Process Improvement
- Report Writing
- Risk Management
- Administrative Support
- Office Management
- Presentation Development
- Expense Reporting
- Executive Support
- Performance Improvement
- Process Improvements
- Filing and Data Archiving
- Interpersonal Communication
- Excel Spreadsheets
- Conflict Management
- Proficient in all Microsoft Products
- Payroll
Certification
ServSafe Food Protection Manager, National Restaurant Association, 10909487
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Timeline
Associate of Science - Marketing
SBCC
02.2024 - Current
Executive Director of Catering & Events
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
03.2023 - Current
Director of Event Planning
Marriott International
02.2019 - 02.2022
Complex Director of Catering & Events
Hilton Worldwide
11.2018 - 02.2019
Senior Event Manager
Wyndham Worldwide
09.2017 - 11.2018
Event Manager
09.2014 - 09.2017
Associate of Science - Hospitality & Hotel Management
NHCC
01.2010 - 05.2014
Independent Event Planner
Events By Katherine
08.2000 - 07.2014
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