Senior Convention Services & Catering Manager

About the role

We’re looking for a detail-oriented hospitality professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong client relationships, and knows how to deliver exceptional experiences while driving results. This senior role partners closely with Sales, Catering, Culinary, Banquets, AV, Reservations, Revenue Management, and other departments to create seamless experiences while protecting the financial success of each program. You’ll also serve as a resource and mentor to fellow managers and coordinators, helping drive consistency, accountability, and excellence across the department.

Responsibilities

• Own the client experience as the primary point of contact from turnover through departure and post-event follow-up.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with clients and meeting planners by understanding their goals, priorities, and expectations.
• Manage high-profile, complex, and VIP programs with confidence, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Lead detailed planning conversations, pre-con meetings, site visits, tastings, and program reviews.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively identify solutions before issues arise.
• Coordinate all aspects of assigned programs, including meeting space, guestroom requirements, food & beverage, audiovisual, transportation, entertainment, décor, and other ancillary needs.
• Review and maintain accurate BEOs, resumes, rooming lists, diagrams, timelines, and other event documentation.
• Conduct pre-convention meetings and ensure all departments are aligned on client expectations and operational requirements.
• Monitor changes to programs and ensure revisions are communicated quickly and accurately to all appropriate teams.
• Conduct event walk-throughs and remain visible and accessible throughout key portions of the program.
• Partner with operating departments to ensure a seamless execution from arrival through departure.
• Manage programs with a strong understanding of revenue, profitability, and hotel business objectives.
• Review event details, guarantees, concessions, and changes to ensure financial commitments are accurately captured.
• Monitor food & beverage and meeting space revenue throughout the planning process.
• Identify opportunities to maximize revenue and ancillary spend while maintaining the integrity of the client experience.
• Review final billing and assist in resolving financial discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Participate in forecasting and other financial reporting as requested.
• Serve as a strong liaison between clients and hotel operating departments.
• Communicate expectations clearly and hold internal partners accountable for delivering on commitments.
• Work closely with Sales and Catering during turnover to ensure a seamless transition from the sales process into event planning.
• Participate in daily BEO meetings, resume meetings, and other operational meetings.
• Help identify opportunities to improve communication and processes between departments.
• Serve as a resource, mentor, and subject-matter expert for Convention Services Managers and Coordinators.
• Share knowledge, best practices, and creative solutions with the broader team.
• Support the onboarding and development of new team members.
• Help establish and maintain high standards for client communication, planning, documentation, and event execution.
• Look for ways to improve processes, increase efficiency, and elevate the client experience.
• Bring forward creative ideas that can enhance events and generate additional revenue.
• Stay informed on industry trends and evolving meeting and event expectations.
• Identify recurring challenges and help develop practical solutions.
• Take ownership of special projects and initiatives as assigned.

Requirements

• 4+ years of convention services, catering, conference services, or hotel event management experience, preferably within a luxury, upper-upscale, or large full-service hotel.
• Experience managing complex meetings, conventions, social events, and/or high-value programs.
• Strong knowledge of hotel operations and the ability to effectively coordinate across multiple departments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple programs and priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of banquet and event revenue.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Confidence working directly with senior-level clients, executives, meeting planners, and VIP guests.
• A natural ability to build relationships and create trust with both clients and colleagues.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• The ability to remain composed, flexible, and solutions-focused when plans change—which, in hospitality, they inevitably do.
• A proactive mindset with strong follow-through and accountability.
• Experience with Delphi.fdc, Opera Cloud, Cvent, Microsoft Office, and other hotel technology preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Must be comfortable working flexible hours based on business needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and high-profile events.
• Must comply with all hotel and corporate policies, safety standards, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.