Associate Director of Meetings and Special Events

Marriott•Half Moon Bay, CA

1d•$102,000 - $133,000

About The Position

Assists in leading meetings and special events, developing and implementing departmental strategies, and ensuring the brand service strategy and initiatives are carried out. The role is responsible for executing property events with a seamless handoff between sales and operations. It helps the team meet target customer needs, support employee satisfaction, grow event revenues, and maximize departmental financial performance. The Associate Director oversees event operations and budgets, supports and holds event teams accountable for service delivery, and works with customers, sales, vendors, and internal teams to deliver successful events. The role also supports profitability, exceptional customer service, regulatory compliance, staffing, communication, and performance feedback. The position supports The Ritz-Carlton's luxury service standards and its Gold Standards, including its Employee Promise, Credo, and Service Values.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and 4 years of experience in event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or a related professional area; alternatively, a 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related major and 2 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Research and analyze competitors’ products, pricing, and services.
Review scheduled events with direct reports and troubleshoot potential challenges or conflicts.
Ensure the property is informed about groups that will affect property operations.
Ensure meeting spaces and related back-of-house areas are clean and maintained.
Ensure furniture and equipment are maintained and inventory levels follow corporate guidelines.
Lead the execution of brand service initiatives in event management areas.
Develop an event management strategy aligned with the company’s business strategy and lead its execution.
Conduct daily banquet-floor walk-throughs to check client satisfaction and quality standards.
Hold the event management team accountable for service behaviors and product and service delivery.
Communicate departmental goals clearly and consistently, and assist with executing departmental goals and game plans.
Ensure brand and regional business initiatives are implemented and communicate follow-up actions to the team.
Encourage calculated risk-taking to generate incremental revenue while delivering excellent guest service.
Build working relationships with outside vendors and establish prices and service agreements that improve the event experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
Assist in creating and achieving the annual banquet budget.
Support execution of the annual Meetings & Special Events Marketing Plan and lead post-contract upselling efforts.
Partner with sales to ensure pricing and space allocations follow property guidelines and maximize revenue opportunities.
Create an atmosphere in event operations that meets or exceeds guest expectations.
Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for meetings, conferences, conventions, and other events.
Review customer service data, identify service failures, and guide problem resolution.
Work with Human Resources to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA and Health Department requirements.
Review property-specific event operations annually and make appropriate adjustments.
Review staffing levels to meet guest-service and operational needs.
Communicate and ensure execution of departmental and property emergency procedures when necessary.
Ensure ongoing communication across event operations, including BEO meetings, pre-event briefings, staff meetings, and coordination with food and beverage and culinary teams.
Ensure performance feedback is provided promptly through standard feedback processes.