- Senior Vice President of Asset Management
- Director of Meetings and Conventions
- Director of Culinary Services
- Vice President of Food and Beverage
The position-and the client
Senior Vice President of Asset Management
Cornerstone Realty Partners, a division of Metropolitan LifeSpecial Client Requirements
We were originally retained to fill an opening created by the departure of a Senior Asset Manager. Once this position was filled senior management realized that because of eminent expansion there would need to be a Senior Vice President to supervise the entire Hotel portfolio. Both searches required candidates to have an understanding of Hotel operations from the perspective of the owner. While different degrees of experience were required, it was imperative that both positions be able to assimilate into a culture that looked at the Hotel as an asset to be managed for the long term. Of special difficulty was that there was a need for confidentiality and our client was based in an area that was not easy to appreciate from a distance.Comments-how we did it
Our Research Department began by surfacing companies and their management with similar structure and assets to our clientÕs. Because of our involvement with the Hotel Investment community our sources were able to provide us with excellent referrals. We also identified regional operations personnel who had similar backgrounds who were in traditional hotel companies.Client Quote
Ms. Pat Whatley Vice President of Human Resources Cornerstone Advisers a Division of Metropolitan Life:"The Alfus Group was retained to find us two Asset Management positions to help us address our growing Hotel portfolio. These were difficult assignments because the two people whom these positions reported to differed as to the strengths required in these positions. The Alfus Group was able to find us candidates who met both needs.
We especially appreciated their ability to screen from the huge pool of applicants who they developed, those who might have had the background but did not meet our needs or culture. This allowed us to focus our attention on the best of the candidates. Both positions were filled in an expeditious fashion and are exceeding expectations in their performance."
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The position-and the client
Special Events Chef
ARAMARK/Boston UniversitySpecial Client Requirements
Formal culinary training with a minimum of 10 years related experience. Extensive experience in a 4-5 star luxury hotel environment or a high-end fine dining restaurant. The client was seeking an executive chef with star quality. An Ability to be involved with the President of the University.Comments-how we did it
Conducted a nationwide search. Our research department Identified executive chefs at luxury independent and chain hotel companies and independent fine dining restaurants. We networked with some of the preeminent executive chefs in the United States. Including Executive Chefs, Corporate Executive Chefs, and Chef Owners. We also contacted and networked with the top culinary institutions in the US. These included The Culinary Institute of America, French Culinary Institute, and Johnson & Wales. Our process initially began with a targeted search of the local and east coast market and then was broadened to a national search. We interviewed all final candidates. This included flying to meet the candidates and doing a tasting of their cuisine.Statistical
We spoke with over one hundred individuals but presented only six final candidates. ARAMARK interviewed three of the final candidates. Out of this group, two candidates went on to final interviews with the president of the University. The interview process also included a formal tasting. Our first candidate began the interview process three weeks after the search was initiated. The candidate ultimately selected was offered the job four weeks after their resume was presented. The candidate began his employment four weeks after an offer was extended which was sixty days from the beginning of the search.Client Quote
Jennifer McGonigle Human Resources Director, Campus Services "The Alfus Group has an abundance of contacts in the food service industry across the country which help to establish resources for a quick and thorough candidate search. They'll keep working until they find you just what you're looking for!"____________________________
The position-and the client
Vice President of Security
Motel Six, a Division of AccorSpecial Client Requirements
Our client retained us to confidentially develop candidates to replace the existing Vice President. We were to make a particular effort to attract candidates who would be able to relate to the diverse minority clientele that use our clients 1200 hotels. Candidates needed to have an understanding of security from a single unit to a corporate/multi unit environment. The VP of Security needed to have experience with change. Because of the national scope of our clients holdings any modifications made to policies or procedures required an understanding of regional issues as well as skills in communications and training.Comments-how we did it
Our Research Department began by identifying the heads of Security Departments in Hotel and Restaurant companies. We also focused on referrals from key people in our database some of whom had been involved with major events within such groups as the NBA, NFL and the Olympics.Statistical
Our Research Department compiled a list of over 150 senior level Security Executives in at least a Regional position or higher including those that were operating there own business as consultants. This list was paired to 65 based on meeting our clients selection criteria and then again to 15. After personal interviews we reduced reduced the final presentation toClient Quote
Emmett J. Gossen, Jr. Group Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Development Accor Lodging North America, Inc."While the Alfus Group has assisted our Company in a number of searches, I especially recall one a few years ago, for a particularly sensitive, higher level person, at a time when we were trying hard to build strength in a particular area. The search resulted in hiring exactly the right individual, who has proven to be in fact a more significant contributor than we could have hoped. We are still grateful... and expect to be for years to come!"
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The position-and the client
Director of Meetings and Conventions
Waldorf-Astoria HotelSpecial Client Requirements
Exceptional Management Skills, Experience in a large, union house. Extensive convention services background in a 4-5 star luxury environmentComments-how we did it
Identified key competitors, both independent and chain hotels and conference/convention centers, based on level of service, size of property and group to transient ratio. Contacted those in that position, their immediate bosses, for networking. We also spoke with others with whom we stay in touch with on a regular basis, which may have once held that position, or were in large properties or luxury properties at one time where they are not currently.Statistical-how many surfaced, spoken to, presented, etc.
I initiated 637 activities, including, phone calls, notes, emails and follow up. We collected updated resumes, sent out position profiles and conducted phone and face-to-face interviews.Our client, the Waldorf-Astoria requires a positive, can-do, hospitable attitude and we search specifically for employees who are naturals. Additionally, we looked for open-minded, outside the box thinkers who value employees, guests, hard work and integrity. I spoke with a total of 207 individuals, sources and candidates. Of those, I received 35 resumes, interviewed and disqualified fully 60% based on depth of experience, level of service, comfort in management and most importantly, attitude and culture. I presented 14 individuals over the course of 4 months. The Waldorf team conducted interviews with 6 of our candidates.
The candidate ultimately selected had been presented 2 months from the beginning of the search. We needed additional candidate for comparison shopping.
Client Quote
Call for reference, due to Hilton's Company Policy.Mr. Eric Long, General Manager, Waldorf-Astoria,
212.355.3000Ms. Joanne Budge, Director of Human Resources, Waldorf-Astoria,
212.355.3000___________________________
The Position-and the client
Director of Culinary Services
Conde Naste Publications
Special Client Requirements
The ideal candidate should have had previous experience in a high-end club or corporate dinning environment. Candidates should have come up through the ranks with work experience in both the front- and back-of-the-house. Candidates must have experience in running all aspects of restaurant operations including catering and high end special event functions. The selected candidate would require tact and diplomacy in coordinating the selected outside foodservice operator's capabilities with our clients varied needs. The candidate would oversee a 270 seat cafeteria and 4 private dinning rooms which would be the scene for functions given by our client's varied magazines which include Gourmet.Comments-how we did it
We were recommended to handle the search by Mr. George Lang, a world renowned restaurateur, who was the lead consultant on the project and also part of the candidate approval process. Using his selection criteria, we identified and contacted foodservice directors at key competitors. We focused our research on self-operated corporate and contract foodservice facilities plus networked with senior foodservices executives contacts nationally. Our selection methodology also included identifying food & beverage director at the leading private clubs in New York City. At the client's request our search focused on candidates from the local New York market.Statistics
We spoke to over seventy five individuals but presented only five formal candidate profile candidates. These profiles included our reasoning for recommending the candidates. The Conde Naste executives conducted interviews with the top three candidates. Our first candidate began the interview process three weeks after the search was initiated. The candidate ultimately selected began his employment eight weeks after we started the assignment.Client Quote
George Lang President George Lang Corp."If the God of Hospitality is on your side, you will be given the good fortune to work with The Alfus Group as I have for the last couple of decades."
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The position-and the client
Director of Human Resources
La Mansion del Rio Hotel
Special Client Requirements
Extensive Human Resources background in a 4-5 star Luxury, Independent Hotel environment, Exceptional Management, Persuasion and Mentoring Skills, specifically looked for the ability to comprehensively restructure the existing organization.Comments-how we did it
Identified key competitors, both independent and chain hotels based on level of service and size of property. The area chosen for this search was primarily luxury hotels in the western United States and resort areas, however, personal references led us to many urban and/or east coast candidates who had considerable experience in the areas preferred. We contacted those in the Director of Human Resources position, their immediate bosses and regional directors for networking. We also spoke with others with whom we stay in touch with on a regular basis, which may have once held that position, or were in luxury properties at one time where they are not currently. We specifically interviewed for the skills being sought. Generated resumes and references only for candidates who identified themselves as competent in those required areas without solicitation.Statistical
We spoke to 75 individuals but presented only 6 candidates. The La Mansion del Rio team conducted interviews with 4 of our candidates. Our first candidate began the interview process 3 weeks after the search was initiated. The candidate ultimately selected was presented 12 weeks from the beginning of the search and began her employment 6 weeks after that. Our client, La Mansion del Rio, requires successful completion, to client established standards, of psychological assessment prior to final interview and hire. This particular search had a longer that usual lead-time due to the psychological assessment required and the timing of the search, which was the summer when both candidates and clients are vacationing.Client quote
Mr. Patrick Kennedy,
President La Mansion del Rio"The Alfus Group has been instrumental in helping us build a very strong Executive Committee. They have worked with us in making sure that we were able to interview only candidates who meet our exacting standards. Our selection process is highly advanced and involves extensive interviewing, psychological profiling and in depth referencing. Because of our long term relationship we have sought their advice on many of our Human Resource issues and will continue to retain them as we expand into the future."
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The Position-and the Client
General Manager
Meyer Jabara HotelsSpecial Client Requirements
At least five years of three star property experience as a General Manager with knowledge of food and beverage; New York City hotel experience required; Marriott experience preferred; union and airport experience required. This client has a very specific business philosophy which envisions the GM as the autonomous coach of the team, creating an atmosphere in which each team member has an opportunity to assume the leadership role as appropriate. The individual selected must be very comfortable in a horizontal management environment and be able to embrace the clientÕs philosophy.Comments-how we did it
Having previously been retained by this client to conduct a General Manager search for another Marriott property, our Research Department had, at that time, contacted every Marriott GM in the northeast. They also contacted ever Marriott franchise GM nationwide. Because of this groundwork, we had an excellent base of Marriott GM's as the foundation for our search. Number two executives from large hotels were reviewed with the client, whose preference continued to be for an experienced GM. Conversations with individuals on this list yielded a sub list of those who had, at some point in their careers, worked in a NYC union property. Individuals who appeared to have the basic work experiences desired were eliminated based upon their preference for a more vertical management style. Our finalist was located at a luxury property in Denver; he had had NYC union experience a decade ago and his siblings and parents live in New York.Statistical
In the original Marriott search for this client, over 1500 activities were logged, yielding 74 resumes, which comprised the foundation for the Courtyard search. This search resulted in 35 resumes being considered, 20 being presented to the client for consideration, 9 being interviewed by the client and the final candidate being selected five months after the original contract was signed.Client quote
Richard Jabara, President - Meyer Jabara Hotels"We have used The Alfus Group for key General Manager and very difficult Department Head positions for over six years. These searches are difficult because our company has a unique culture that many candidates don't understand and as a result wouldn't succeed within. The Alfus Group's ability to search nationwide for the right type of individual has resulted in our being able to choose from an excellent candidate pool."
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The position-and the client
Vice President of Food and Beverage
Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
Special Client Requirements
The planned growth of the company as well as the desire to continue to set industry standards for Food and Beverage created interesting requirements. Candidates needed to have International experience with exposure to the difficulties of operating in not only remote areas but also major International cities. Experience operating in a corporate setting with a demonstrated background in conceiving, implementing, training and establishing consistency using a consultancy management approach were required.Comments
how we did it Within forty days we had reduced our field to fifteen interested candidates. Because both candidates and our client spent a great amount of time traveling, it was difficult to schedule interviews. We performed as many preliminary interviews and co-ordinate appointments with our client. The field was narrowed to three finalists within 45 days. The selected candidate who was in England started work within 120 days of the assignments beginning.4. Statistical Our Research Department compiled a list of over 250 senior level Food and Beverage Executives in at least a Regional position or higher including consultants and writers. This list was paired to 145 based on quality of existing environment and then reduced again to 115.
Client quote
Jim Brown, President
Rosewood Hotels and Resorts"Rosewood's relationship with The Alfus Group began in 1998. At the time we needed a Vice President of Food and Beverage. This search required a lot of co-ordination of travel schedules as it was International in scope. Needless to say candidates had to be carefully screened so as not to waste precious time. This was also the case with subsequent searches, both on the Corporate Office level and for our property's. On average these searches were completed within 90 days.
I am pleased to say that The Alfus Group continues to perform. They continually have met our exacting requirements ensuring that, when we are unable to promote from within, we have consistently been able to choose from the finest in the Industry."
