Conference Services Manager

About the Role

Hilton Denver City Center is in the heart of downtown Denver. Our business is about people serving people, and our team members are the heart and soul of our hospitality. Whether team members are just starting on their journey or looking for the next step in their careers, Hilton is prioritizing opportunities for team members to take their jobs and turn them into lifelong careers. As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. This role involves planning, organizing, and managing in-house details for large group and convention bookings, ensuring maximization of room and meeting space revenues and profits while delivering a quality product.

The hotel is a half-mile from the Colorado Convention Center, Larimer Square, Coors Field, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Just a block from our hotel is 16th Street, a popular stretch for dining, nightlife, and shopping. Enjoy dining and drinks at Prospect’s Urban Kitchen and Bar, our on-site restaurant.

Responsibilities

• Participate in negotiating meetings/functions, rooms, rates, and all related requirements.
• Focus on execution of all aspects of event planning, including coordination from the signing of a group contract forward, VIP needs, amenities, group resumes, and rooming lists.
• Manage and plan meetings/conventions and related activities.
• Attend Banquet Event Order (BEO) and staff meetings; act as a team leader for all hotel department staff participating in the event delivery process.
• Achieve a minimum of 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals, as established by management.
• Coordinate all group business as developed by the sales manager; follow up on all signed/contracted business within 5 working days.
• Determine and coordinate all event planning needs.
• Maintain well-documented, accurate, organized, and up-to-date file management to serve clients and the employer efficiently.
• Develop customer profiles and maintain an effective trace system to ensure superior account service and increased revenues.
• Build strong customer relationships through professional, courteous, and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Follow up on all client needs and inquiries efficiently and expediently.
• Focus on revenue-generating activity; maximize selling time through retaining accounts/clients and maximizing account yield opportunities.
• Detail, upsell, and verify program specifics with the client, including space requirements, audio-visual needs, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc.
• Prepare appropriate resumes and paperwork to ensure quality service.
• Manage function details and related activities to satisfy program requirements.
• Anticipate and handle customer complaints/problems to ensure quality product delivery, customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
• Oversee all billing details for hotel groups, including processing deposits, direct bill applications, credit card authorizations, and coordination with accounting.
• Improve hotel convention services by participating in the development of new sales tools and systems, analyzing competitors' strengths and weaknesses, and understanding and satisfying customer needs.
• Monitor and control individual client event budgets to maximize revenues and minimize expenses while ensuring delivery of a quality product.
• Attend and lead pre-conference meetings as needed; coordinate pre-con meetings between the client and hotel staff and review BEO details with all parties.
• Close out all groups, including pickup in the sales system (Delphi) and commission owed, and process with accounting.

Requirements

• More than two years of post-high school education.
• One to two full years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
• Working knowledge of banquet/catering food and beverage services, policies, or operations.
• Knowledge of computer equipment.
• Ability to compile facts and figures in accordance with established procedures.
• Supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication skills to provide information and services to hotel management and guests.
• Excellent hearing for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision to view set-ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills for verbal interaction with guests and associates.

Physical Demands

• Lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying tables, chairs, and boxes (50 lb. maximum) occasionally.
• Bending/kneeling required for taping down cords, skirting tables, and picking up floors after functions occasionally.
• Mobility to service clients on short notice, variable distances.
• Continuous standing required for function observation and client site inspections (one hour minimum to four hours maximum).
• Climbing stairs of approximately 55 steps, 3-5% of a 10-hour day.

Inside environment 95% of a 10-hour day; outside environment 5% of a 10-hour day. Exposure to extreme summer heat (95 degrees and above) and winter cold.

Benefits

• Employee Referral Program: $500 to $1,000 based on position.
• Free Monthly RTD EcoPass (full-time only).
• Sage Savings Spot Deals on furniture, electronics, cell phone plans, flowers, restaurants, and more.
• Company-paid short-term disability.
• Paid FMLA leave for up to 12 weeks.
• Discounted hotel rates at all Hilton & Sage-managed hotels and restaurants.
• Medical, dental, vision, 401K, and Flex Spending Account (full-time employees).
• Paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays (full-time employees).
• A fun work environment that encourages individuality, recognition, growth, and development.

Pay

USD $65,000.00 - USD $80,000.00 per year.