Senior Event Manager

Senior Event Manager

Join the team as Senior Event Manager and become one of the authors in our story. The Senior Event Manager is a key leader within the Events team, responsible for the full lifecycle of assigned Weddings, Corporate and Social events - from initial client engagement through event planning, execution, billing, and post-event follow-up. This position combines strong client management skills with exceptional event-planning and operational expertise. The Senior Event Manager develops and maintains trusted relationships with clients, wedding and third-party planners, and industry partners while ensuring each event is thoughtfully planned, financially sound, operationally successful, and reflective of Stanly Ranch's standards of luxury hospitality. The Senior Event Manager works closely with the Director of Events, Sales team, Event Managers and Coordinators, Banquets, Culinary, Reservations, Front Desk/Rooms, Accounting, and other hotel departments to ensure seamless communication and execution. The role requires strong business acumen, sound judgment, exceptional follow-through, and the ability to confidently lead complex programs and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of everything that needs to be done. Within the Auberge family, our people always find new ways to look after the business, their guests, and their teammates. Within this, the key responsibilities for this position are:

Event Planning & Detailing

• Own the planning and detailing process for assigned events from contract turnover through final billing and post-event follow-up.
• Develop and maintain accurate and comprehensive Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and Group Resumes, ensuring all client commitments and operational details are clearly communicated.
• Develop cost estimates, budgets, planning timelines, and event-related documentation.
• Lead and participate in weekly BEO and Resume meetings, ensuring information is accurate, complete, and distributed according to established timelines.
• Schedule and lead Pre-Conference meetings with clients and appropriate department heads.
• Guide clients through menu selection and event details while identifying opportunities to enhance the overall program.
• Maintain consistent, timely communication with clients and planners throughout the planning process, providing timely responses and proactive follow-through.
• Coordinate room blocks, event spaces, menus, rentals, entertainment, transportation, vendors, guest experiences, and other program requirements.
• Review contracts and event details carefully to ensure commitments, pricing, minimums, and operational requirements are accurately reflected in event documentation.
• Coordinate third-party vendors and ensure requirements for load-in, setup, event execution, and strike are clearly communicated and managed.
• Partner with Culinary and Banquets to ensure menus, equipment, serviceware, staffing, timing, and operational requirements are accurately planned in advance.
• Work closely with Accounting and Banquets to ensure accurate invoicing, final billing, and program actuals.

Event Execution & Operations

• Serve as the primary liaison between the client/planner and hotel operations throughout the event lifecycle.
• Attend site inspections, client meetings, pre-conferences, pre-shift meetings, arrival meetings, and other program-related meetings as appropriate.
• Be present and actively engaged during assigned events to ensure exceptional execution and client service.
• Greet clients and key guests upon arrival and maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the event when required.
• Partner closely with Banquet Managers and Captains to ensure event details are executed according to the approved BEO and Group Resume.
• Troubleshoot issues in real time, make sound decisions, and keep leadership informed of significant concerns or changes.
• Balance client needs and expectations with hotel operational capabilities, financial goals, staffing considerations, and established policies.
• Ensure changes made during the planning process or onsite are accurately communicated and documented.
• Conduct post-event follow-up and participate in debriefs to identify opportunities for improvement and future business.
• Maintain high standards of service, professionalism, organization, and attention to detail at every stage of the client experience.
• Develop cost estimates and other budget and billing materials accurately and in a timely manner.
• Conduct polished, engaging, and best-in-class site inspections and production tours.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, wedding planners, corporate contacts, third-party planners, vendors, and local industry partners.
• Assist in achieving catering and hotel revenue goals through effective upselling, strategic pricing, and identification of additional revenue opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the guest experience through experiences, food and beverage, spa, accommodations, and other resort offerings.
• Assist with reserving room blocks and courtesy holds for clients, partnering with Sales, Reservations, and Group Reservations as appropriate.
• Communicate deposit requirements, monitor outstanding deposits, and partner with Accounting and leadership to support timely collection.

Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serve as a senior resource and mentor to Event Managers and Event Coordinators.
• Support the Director of Events in maintaining consistent departmental standards, processes, and service expectations.
• Foster strong working relationships across Sales, Events, Banquets, Culinary, Reservations, Front Desk/Rooms, Accounting, Spa, and other hotel departments.
• Promote clear, timely, and accurate communication across all departments involved in event execution.
• Help identify operational challenges and recommend solutions that improve efficiency, profitability, and the client experience.
• Execute special projects with minimal supervision and demonstrate initiative in supporting departmental and property-wide priorities.
• Represent Stanly Ranch and Auberge Resorts Collection with professionalism, discretion, and a commitment to exceptional hospitality.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in luxury hotel catering, event management, conference services, weddings, social events, or a comparable hospitality role.
• Demonstrated experience managing event planning through execution and final billing.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong client service and relationship-management skills.
• Exceptional follow-through, attention to detail, organization, and sense of urgency.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of event profitability, pricing, budgets, minimums, and revenue opportunities.
• Ability to make thoughtful, timely decisions that balance client expectations with hotel operations, financial goals, and staffing needs.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively across multiple departments and levels of an organization.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented under pressure.
• Professional appearance and demeanor with the ability to represent the resort in a polished and responsible manner.
• Ability to work flexible days and hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on client programs and business demands.
• Ability to work onsite in the Carneros area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a luxury resort, five-star hotel, or high-touch hospitality environment.
• Experience managing complex corporate programs, weddings and/or high-end social events.
• Experience working directly with wedding planners, corporate planners, and third-party event professionals.
• Familiarity with Delphi, Opera, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and other hospitality/event-management systems.
• Knowledge of Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries, venues, cultural establishments, and off-site event locations.
• Strong understanding of the Napa Valley luxury hospitality and events competitive landscape.
• Experience mentoring or providing leadership to junior team members.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Frequent or occasional need to reach, bend, push, pull, twist, lift, climb, stand, and walk while inspecting and operating throughout the property.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during event setup, execution, and breakdown.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. frequently and 25 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Frequent need to communicate by telephone, radio, and in person with clients, guests, vendors, and team members.
• Ability to respond to emergency alarms and safety equipment as required

The starting range for this position is $94,000-104,000. This is the pay rate for this position that Stanly Ranch reasonably expects to pay. Decisions regarding individual salaries will be based on a number of factors, such as experience and education.