Associate Director of Meetings and Special Events

About the role

The Associate Director of Meetings and Special Events assists in leading meetings and special events. This position involves developing and implementing departmental strategies, ensuring the brand service strategy and initiatives are followed, and managing profitability.

Responsibilities

• Researches and analyzes new products, pricing, and services of competitors.
• Works with direct reports to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.
• Ensures the property is informed of all groups impacting property operations.
• Ensures meeting space and corresponding heart of the house areas are cleaned and maintained.
• Ensures furniture and equipment are maintained and inventory levels are kept in accordance with corporate guidelines.
• Leads the execution of brand service initiatives in event management areas.
• Develops an event management strategy aligned with the company's business strategy and leads its execution.
• Conducts daily walk-throughs of the banquet floor to ensure client satisfaction and quality standards.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• Pairs with the sales team to ensure pricing and space allocations are in line with property guidelines for maximizing revenue opportunities.
• Creates an atmosphere in all event management operations areas that meets or exceeds guest expectations.
• Consults with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
• Reviews customer service data to identify service failures and provides guidance on problem resolution.
• Works with Human Resources to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal 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 regular, ongoing communication is happening in all areas of event operations (e.g., BEO meetings, pre-event briefings, staff meetings, food and beverage team, culinary team).
• Ensures performance feedback is timely through the standard feedback processes.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED; 4 years experience in 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 event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.

Skills

• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with budgeting and financial analysis.
• Knowledge of hotel operations and event management.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams.

Benefits

At The Ritz-Carlton, we offer competitive compensation and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Pay

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible hours to accommodate event planning needs.