Meetings and Special Events Manager

JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for the sale and planning of meetings and special events. Leads, implements, and maintains a management philosophy in alignment with company standards. The position has overall responsibility for ensuring the proper planning and execution of special events as well as achieving profitability, client and employee satisfaction.
The position is responsible for the Hotels's Catering Budget and takes ownership of all client and hotel own events taking place within the hotel. Works with the Sales team on converting leads, building client relationship and trust and focusses on account management of existing clients to grow repeat business and maximize revenue opportunities and new business leads for the company.
The Meetings & Special Event Manager is also responsible for the training and development of the Events & Groups Coordinator and leads the weekly function meeting.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience
• High school diploma or GED; 3 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.
OR
• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; 2 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.

The ideal candidate will have experience handling events within the entertainment/leisure/film and luxury/lifestyle market sector.
Previous experience of working with luxury Food & Beverage external consultants/business partners
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Managing Meetings and Special Events Operations and Budgets
• Researches and analyzes new products, pricing and services of competition.
• Works with direct reports and operations team to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.
• Ensures the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations.
• Ensures special event space and corresponding heart of the house areas are cleaned and maintained.
• Ensures furniture and equipment is maintained and inventory levels are kept in accordance with corporate guidelines.
• Leads the execution of brand service initiatives in event management areas.
• Develops an event management strategy that is aligned with the company's business strategy and leads its execution.
• Conduct daily walk-through of banquet floor to ensure client satisfaction and quality standards.
• Has the ability to accurately forecast group sleeping rooms and event revenue (catering and audio visual) for his/her groups.
• Understands the department P & L statements and manages events accordingly.
• Strong familiarity in menu planning, food presentation and banquet service standards and attention to detail.
• Familiarity and knowledge of all departments within the hotel.
• Present ideas, expectations and information in a concise, well-organized manner.
• Understanding of Event Technology products, sales, and services Strong familiarity in designing, upselling and executing outstanding catered events of various sizes and complexity.

Leading Special Events Team
• Holds event management team accountable for desired service behaviors related to product and service delivery.
• Communicates a clear and consistent message regarding departmental goals to produce desired results.
• Assists in execution of departmental goals in game plans.
• Ensures brand and regional business initiatives are implemented and communicates follow-up actions to team as necessary.
• Sells and manages events and integrates team based service to achieve a successful event.
• Proactively identifies operational challenges associated with his/her group and works with the hotel staff and customer to solve these challenges and/or develop alternative solutions.
• Manages conflict situations effectively.
• To be the liaison between Sales & Accounts including billing and commission activity
• Ensures 100% system compliance
• Continuously achieves Test Call results >90%
• Supports the Groups Sales Team with Rooming List, Name changes, small business blocks etc as and when required

Managing Profitability
• Encourages calculated risk-taking to generate incremental revenue and deliver excellent guest service.
• Develops working relationships with outside vendors and establishes prices and service agreements to enhance the event experience and to increase additional revenue opportunities for the property.
• Creates and achieves the Special Events' annual operating budget in association with the Director of Sales & Marketing
• Works with all areas in Special Events division to establish content and pricing.
• Understands the hotel revenue strategy.
• Creates and presents a weekly Events Forecast for the Revenue Strategy Meeting

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service
• Creates an atmosphere in all event management operations areas that meets or exceeds guest expectations.
• Consults with customers in order to determine objectives and requirements for events.
• Acts as liaison between sales person and customer through the event process (pre-event, event, and post-event).
• Reviews customer feedback data to identify service failures and provide guidance on problem resolution.
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with the customer and hotel operation teams the details of an event. Attains and provides Post-event feedback to the customer.
• Makes presence known to the customer through the entire event process. Is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
• Is accountable for his/her customers' experiences from file turnover through the post event phase until turnover back to sales.
• Greets customer during the event phase and hands off to operations for the execution of details.
• Effectively upsells throughout the pre-event and event phases.
• Is involved with customer site inspections during the sales phase.
• Responsible for his/her overall customer satisfaction.

Conducting Human Resources Activities
• Works with Human Resources to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Reviews property specific event operations annually and makes appropriate adjustments.
• Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest service and operational needs are met.
• Communicates and ensures departmental and property emergency procedures are executed when necessary.
• Ensures that regular, ongoing communication is happening in all areas of event.
• Provides performance feedback using company feedback process.
• Adheres to all standards, policies, and procedures (Standards, SOPs, LSOPs, etc.).