Event Planning Manager

The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center (Formally Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center) located in Lewis Center, Ohio is searching for an Event Planning Manager to join our team!

Our attractive compensation package includes a competitive wage, access to health benefits, PTO and 6 paid Holiday's (full-time only), 401K with up to 4% company match, dining and travel discounts AND free meals and free parking!

Job Summary:

Execute and manage assigned social events, weddings, celebrations, and other social events (once contracted), while maximizing revenue and guest satisfaction by working cooperatively with all related Operations & Catering Teams to ensure the highest level of service. Serve as the primary contact through event detailing and event execution, creating memorable experiences while generating event revenue and ensuring flawless detail management. Generate reports on consistent basis around event revenue/terms of events.

Essential Functions:

1. Plan and help to execute assigned social events, weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, galas, celebrations, and guest room related activities (related to assigned group), to ensure the obligations by the hotel and client are met with satisfaction. Act as liaison between Catering and the Operations Team by disseminating appropriate information as it relates to the meeting and/or event.
2. Manage and monitor room blocks according to contract specifications to include; room block cut-off dates, review room pick-up, and attrition.
3. Conduct reporting as needed for group room blocks as well as revenue generated through the catering department.
4. Manage marketing avenues for the Catering Department such as the Knot, WeddingWire, and other social event marketing platforms.
5. Maintain strong client relations and ensure that meeting/event specifications are communicated and executed for a successful event experience. Organize and conduct pre/post meeting with assigned groups.
6. Effectively upsell enhancements throughout the pre-meeting/event and event phase, to include: food and beverage, amenities, audiovisual and special request services.
7. Once event is contracted, work with the Accounting Department on deposit schedule/method of payment.
8. Review master group folios of each event for accuracy.
9. Handling multiple meetings/and or events simultaneously and at different planning stages. Identifying operational challenges and/or opportunities related to meeting and/or event, and develops seamless solutions.
10. Share responsibility of conducting planning program meeting with other Catering Events Planners.
11. Assist with action plans, proposals and guest memos as well as other projects as assigned by Director of Catering.
12. Participate in site tours with contracted clients as well as potential clients
13. Greet clients prior to the start of their event to determine any additional needs or changes and that their expectations are being met. Implement such changes or additions by contacting the correct department.
14. Work closely with conference services to assist in planning all types of meetings and events.
15. Participate in the property Manager on Duty Program.
16. Build lasting relationships with couples, families, vendors, and community partners while delivering a high-touch planning experience that results in exceptional guest satisfaction and repeat business.
17. Any additional tasks assigned to you by management.

Physical Requirements:

These physical demands represent the physical requirements necessary for an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the position.

1. This position requires walking the property, to include site tours of the facility with guests and checking on events throughout the day.

2. Heavy workloads requiring the ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force and the ability to regularly lift 55 pounds.

Qualifications, Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

1. High School Diploma.
2. Bachelor’s Degree preferred or at least 2 years work experience in the hospitality/event planning industry with wedding or social event planning experience strongly preferred.
3. Affiliations and Memberships with local Industry Associations such as ILEA, NACE & WPC a plus.
4. Experience with Delphi and Maestro operating systems preferred.
5. Proficient using the latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Mail Merges, Email and Web searches.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills both in person, electronically and by phone with high level of professionalism to deal effectively with all types of personalities.
7. Superb organizational skills – ability to prioritize, multi-task, direct and solve problems effectively with little supervision.
8. Highly enthusiastic and self-motivated.
9. Time management and ability to prioritize projects.
10. Ability to work with and win over multiple personalities when planning one event for a successful overall outcome.
11. Ability to lead a team to fully deliver on guests’ expectations.
12. Ability to work collectively and collaborate with multiple departments to ensure all details are communicated and flawlessly executed.
13. Eye for detail to ensure all spaces and set ups are worthy of a distinct, sophisticated events campus.
14. Passion for creating beautiful, personalized and memorable events while maintaining operational excellence.
15. Ability to stay current and fresh with industry trends to provide our clients with progressive ideas that have “wow factor” for their event.
16. Knowledge of wedding etiquette, timelines, ceremony logistics are a plus.
17. Experience working with wedding vendors including florists, photographers, DJs, entertainment, rental companies, and officiants preferred.

Travel

Local and regional travel may occasionally be required. This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid Ohio Driver’s license. The successful candidate would have to provide proof that s/he has a valid driver’s license upon being hired.

Tucked in a 15-acre park-like setting just North of Columbus, Ohio, our property offers a complete collection of services and amenities for an all-inclusive experience. Our hotel has 193 stylishly appointed guest rooms and suites delight leisure travelers, while our 45,000 square feet of customizable meeting spaces are sophisticated yet comfortable and offer state-of-the-art technology to create a dynamic setting for meetings and special events.

We are managed by Columbus Hospitality Management , a company committed to providing quality service and memorable guest experiences in a positive and welcoming work environment. We are focused on supporting the needs of our team through our commitment to the family/work life balance and by providing development opportunities.

We are proud to be a Drug Free Workplace/EOE. All applicants will be

Equal Opportunity Employer


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