Supervisor, Conference Services

About the role

The Supervisor, Conference Services is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the firm's conference center, ensuring the successful execution of on-site meetings and events. This role trains and supervises the conference services team, coordinates meeting logistics, maintains exceptional client service standards, and serves as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and support teams including food services, facilities management, and audio/visual.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the daily activities of the Conference Services team, ensuring consistent service delivery and effective support of Firm meeting operations.
• Manages people responsibilities across the employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance reviews, and team development.
• Develops training materials, procedural guides, and best practices for the New York Office Conference Services team, and provides onboarding, coaching, and ongoing training to promote consistency and service excellence.
• Led onboarding for new team members and ensures ongoing training and refresher sessions are conducted as needed.
• Creates and manages team schedules and staff assignments to ensure appropriate coverage for daily operations, peak meeting periods, and special events.
• Performs and oversees the scheduling of internal meetings and conference space using the Firm’s reservation technology, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness to business needs.
• Collaborates with the Internal Events & Client Events teams as well as other key stakeholders to design and manage high level events in the Conference Center.
• Collaborates with other Skadden offices to maintain and oversee conference room scheduling technology, including process oversight, user support, reporting, system improvements, and coordination with internal stakeholders and vendors.
• Recommends enhancements to conference room processes, technology, amenities, and workflows to improve user experience and operational effectiveness.
• Partners with colleagues across offices to share best practices, align service delivery, and promote consistency in meeting room setup, hospitality offerings, technology readiness, and escalation protocols.
• Represents the Firm in addressing matters related to dining services and coordinating with other relevant departments to ensure satisfactory outcomes.
• Reviews and approves all charges made by the dining service department for conference and special event catering services prior to being forwarded to the accounting department for processing.
• Ensures current knowledge of Firm policies and practices, current knowledge of industry trends, and continued professional development.
• Coordinates and oversees department projects, day-to-day operations and long-range plans.
• Maintains accurate and timely responses to requests for internal clients and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to facilitate effective work relationships with others.
• Manages Firm resources responsibly.
• Complies with and understands Firm operation, policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as needed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Conference Services field and associated procedures.
• Strong knowledge of Accruent EMS Software, required.
• Knowledge of and experience in corporate or fine dining operations, including foods, menus and service.
• Current knowledge of industry best practices, trends and techniques.
• Assists the department head in the development and implementation of the annual budget process.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrates close attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and planning skills.
• Able to effectively supervise others.
• Able to administer Firm policies and procedures.
• Able to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Able to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality.
• Able to organize and prioritize work and delegate effectively.
• Able to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Able to work well independently as well as effectively within a team.
• To use discretion and exercise independent and sound judgment.
• Flexibility to travel.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of five years of hospitality experience in a professional services environment, and a minimum of three years of supervisory experience.