Director of Meetings and Special Event Planning

JOB SUMMARY

Leads Meetings & Special Events division. Position assists in the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives. The position has responsibility for executing all property events with a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales. Ensure the team meets the brand’s target customer needs, employee satisfaction, and focuses on growing event revenues and maximizing the financial performance of the department.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

• 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.

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 to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.

• Ensures the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations.

• Ensures meeting 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 to 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.

Leading Meetings and Special Events Teams

• 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.

• Executes departmental goals in game plans.

• Ensures brand and regional business initiatives are implemented and communicates follow-up actions to team as necessary.

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 annual banquet budget.

• Focuses on building the property’s top line revenue by supporting the execution of the annual Meetings & Special Events Marketing Plan, and providing leadership to the team on post-contractual upselling efforts.

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

• Creates an atmosphere in all event management operations areas that meets or exceeds guest expectations.

• Consult with customers in order to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.

Conducting Human Resources Activities

• Works with Human Resources to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal (OSHA, Health Department) 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 operations.

At more than 100 award-winning properties worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton Ladies and Gentlemen create experiences so exceptional that long after a guest stays with us, the experience stays with them. Attracting the world’s top hospitality professionals who curate lifelong memories, we believe that everyone succeeds when they are empowered to be creative, thoughtful and compassionate.

Every day, we set the standard for rare and special luxury service the world over and pride ourselves on delivering excellence in the care and comfort of our guests.

Your role will be to ensure that the “Gold Standards” of The Ritz-Carlton are delivered graciously and thoughtfully every day. The Gold Standards are the foundation of The Ritz-Carlton and are what guides us each day to be better than the next. It is this foundation and our belief that our culture drives success by which The Ritz Carlton has earned the reputation as a global brand leader in luxury hospitality. As part of our team, you will learn and exemplify the Gold Standards, such as our Employee Promise, Credo and our Service Values. And our promise to you is that we offer the chance to be proud of the work you do and who you work with.

In joining The Ritz-Carlton, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.