Assistant Manager Banquet Operations - M/F

• 13 August 2026 • 100% • Indefinite duration • Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland Company Description Located on the shores of Lake Geneva and offering a magnificent view of the Alps, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace hotel is a prestigious establishment, member of the Accor group, of the Fairmont brand and affiliated with Swiss Deluxe Hotels. Benefiting from an incomparable global reputation, characterized by 236 luxurious rooms and suites and a highly refined gastronomic experience, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a truly enchanting place. Its six restaurants and bars offer a wide choice of delights that will satisfy the most demanding palates. The Montreux Jazz Café is the ultimate place to live to the rhythm of the Festival 365 days a year within the magical setting of Fairmont Le Montreux Palace; the MP-s Bar & Grill is a high-end restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, specializing in grills and without equivalent in the region; and the Funky Claude-s Bar is the must-visit address to relax late at night, enjoying an incredible selection of traditional and exclusive cocktails to the sound of the city's best live music scene. Fairmont Le Montreux Palace also specializes in organizing congresses, meetings, and seminars. The Fairmont Spa is a 2000 m² wellness oasis dedicated to fitness, relaxation, and beauty. Job Description Reporting to the Banquet Operations & La Palmeraie Manager, the essential responsibilities and functions of the position include, but are not limited to: Leadership & People • Be a visible and exemplary field leader. • Replace the Manager during their absence. • Develop, coach, and support employees in their evolution. • Identify talent and contribute to the succession plan. • Conduct regular performance and development interviews. • Foster a culture of engagement, recognition, and empowerment. • Manage conflicts and maintain a positive working climate. • Guarantee effective communication between different teams and departments. • Act as a guarantor of employee engagement and well-being. Financial Management • Participate in the monitoring of the department's P&L. • Control personnel costs regularly based on budgets. • Optimize productivity. • Monitor labor ratios. • Participate in the annual budget and monthly forecasts. • Identify opportunities to improve profitability. • Contribute to achieving GOP objectives. Banquet Operations • Supervise multiple events simultaneously. • Guarantee the proper execution of BEOs. • Verify room set-up before each event. • Ensure coordination with Kitchen, Stewarding, Technical Service, and Housekeeping. • Participate in daily operational meetings. • Organize post-event debriefings. Guest Experience • Be present with guests during events. • Anticipate guest needs. • Manage VIP requests and special events. • Create personalized experiences. • Transform complaints into loyalty opportunities. • Encourage upselling and additional sales. Quality & Standards • Guarantee compliance with Fairmont and Accor standards. • Ensure compliance with LQA standards. • Monitor Voice of Guest (VOG) indicators. • Develop, implement, and follow up on action plans resulting from LQA, Voice of Guest, and TrustYou audits. • Conduct regular quality audits. • Ensure respect for emotional and technical standards. Agency Staff Management • Develop a lasting partnership with agencies. • Select the best extra profiles. • Organize the integration of extras. • Evaluate performance after each mission. • Build a pool of qualified extras. • Control hours and associated costs. • Implement a recruitment and retention strategy for a team of regular extras, allowing for the optimization of personnel costs and ensuring better operational continuity. Administration & Planning • Prepare weekly schedules. • Prepare personnel forecasts. • Control timesheets. • Ensure the updating of employee files. • Ensure compliance with HR procedures. Commercial Performance • Identify additional revenue opportunities. • Optimize the use of event spaces. • Collaborate with Sales & Events to anticipate operational needs. • Support the commercial success of events. Food Safety & Compliance • Guarantee the application of HACCP standards. • Ensure compliance with allergen regulations. • Ensure compliance with hygiene procedures. • Participate in internal and external audits. • Guarantee the safety of employees and clients Qualifications • Minimum 5 years of experience in high-end catering, including significant experience in Banquet operations. • Minimum 2 years of experience in management or team supervision. (1 year seems a bit low to me for a hotel like Fairmont Montreux Palace.) • Degree in recognized service • Experience in 5* hospitality • Written and verbal mastery of the French and English languages • Knowledge of a third language is an asset • Knowledge of the OperaCloud tool is an asset • Previous experience with a point of sale system (POS system) • Ease with IT tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, payroll system) • Team supervision skills • Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills • Flexibility regarding schedules • Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment • Ability to focus attention on guest needs in