Director of Event Planning

• Manages event planning functions and staff on a daily basis
• Oversees the administrative processes associated with the pre-event and post-event phases of an event
• Ensures a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales
• Ensures the team maximizes revenue opportunities by up-selling and accurately forecasting (catering and group rooms) all events
• Responsible for achieving guest and employee satisfaction and for managing the financial performance of the department
• Assigns all events turned over to Event Planning team
• Oversees for turned opportunities’ function space and group room blocks
• Communicates and executes departmental and property emergency procedures and ensures staff are trained in safety procedures
• Leads execution of activities to support the Event Management strategy
• Works with direct reports to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts
• Leads discussions to review event complexity and proactively avoid service challenges and failures
• Ensures the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations
• Manages customer budgets to maximize revenue and meet customer needs
• Maintains inventories to maximize customer satisfaction and revenue opportunities
• Works with highly complex or high profile groups when financial impact will be significant
• Leads the catering menu development process
• Champions all standards, policies and procedures for the Event Planning team
• Leads Event Management meetings
• Reviews comment cards, guest satisfaction results and other data to identify areas of improvement
• Shares plans with property leadership and ensures corrective action is taken to continuously improve guest satisfaction
• Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies excellent customer service and creates a positive atmosphere for guest relations
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels
• Responds to and handles guest problems and complaints
• Strives to improve service performance
• Empowers employees to provide excellent customer 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
• Consult with customers in order to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions
• Establishes customer service guidelines so employees understand expectations and parameters
• Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations
• Observes service behaviors of employees and provides feedback to individuals and or managers
• Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest service and planning needs are met

• High school diploma or GED
• 4 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

Relocation Assistance Available