Event Planning Manager

Chicago ORD IL Hyatt Regency

The Event Planning Manager oversees the coordination and execution of meetings, conferences and special events at the Hotel. Will be responsible for preparing all event documentation and coordinating with Sales, property departments, and guests to ensure consistent, high-level service throughout the pre-event, event, and post event phases of property events. Additionally, this role ensures for a seamless turnover from sales to service back to sales and recognizes opportunities to maximize revenue by upselling and offering enhancements to create outstanding events.

Responsibilities:
• Solve problems and suggest alternatives to previous arrangements if necessary
• Lead pre-event and post-event meetings for assigned groups
• Identify operational challenges associated with groups and works with the property team members and guests to solve these challenges and develop alternative solutions as needed
• Manage client budgets to maximize revenue and meet client needs
• Oversee guest experience from file turnover through the post event phase until the turnover back to Sales Department
• Manage group room blocks and meeting space for assigned groups
• Adhere to all standards, policies, and procedures
• Celebrate successes and publicly recognizes the contributions of team members
• Up-sell products and services throughout the event process
• Participate in customer site inspections and assists with the sales process when needed
• Act as liaison between salesperson and client throughout the event process
• Review billing and payments with clients
• Handle guest problems and complaints
• Greet client during the event phase and hand-off to the operations team for the execution of details
• Strive to improve service performance
• Set a positive example for guest relations
• Coordinate and communicate verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details

Requirements:
• High school degree (or equivalency) with Hotel/College training preferred
• Previous Restaurant or Hotel Food and Beverage experience preferred
• Solid understanding of banquet revenue generation
• Creative and innovative, as well as proactive and customer-oriented
• High energy and outgoing personality
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Diplomatic team player
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, event management software and customer management platform
• Excellent time management
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• An aptitude for self-motivation
• A can-do attitude and a hands-on approach
• A flexible schedule that allows availability days, nights, holidays, and weekends based on the demands of the hotel

Our Company

• MCR is the 3rd-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States.
• Founded in 2006, our company has offices in New York City, Dallas, Chicago, and Richmond, Virginia.
• MCR has a $5.0 billion portfolio of 148 premium-branded hotels containing more than 22,000 guestrooms across 37 states and 106 cities .
• MCR has more than 7,000 team members across the country and operates hotels under 9 Marriott brands, 8 Hilton brands and a number of unflagged independent hotels.
• MCR was named one of Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Travel Companies of 2020 .
• MCR is a three-time recipient of the Marriott Partnership Circle Award , the highest honor Marriott presents to its owner and franchise partners, and a recipient of the Hilton Legacy Award for Top Performer .
• For the TWA Hotel at New York's JFK Airport, MCR won the Development of the Year (Full Service) Award at The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) , the Urban Land Institute New York Excellence in Hotel Development Award and the American Institute of Architects national Architecture Award, the highest honor given by the AIA

What we offer/What's in it for you?

• Hotel Discounts
• Weekly Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Options
• Referral bonuses
• Career advancement & upward mobility
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance- available after 30 days of employment for full-time team members