Conference Services Manager

HEI Hotels & Resorts•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Conference Services Manager creates the desired conference experience and meets clients’ needs through active communication, planning, and team leadership. The role oversees conference and banquet event planning and execution, supports client satisfaction and repeat business, and works closely with hotel operating departments, the banquet team, the chef, and outside vendors. The position also contributes to forecasting, budgeting, room-rental revenue, and Audio/Visual services.

Requirements

Prior hospitality experience, specifically in catering sales.
At least one year of experience in the hospitality industry.
Experience at a hotel of similar size and quality.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Delphi.
Knowledge of sales skills, revenue management, and training and motivating peers.
Knowledge of hotel features and benefits and competing hotels in the market.
Ability to execute appropriate action plans.
Knowledge of hotel operations, including marketing plans, security and safety programs, personnel and labor relations, business plans, repairs and maintenance, budget forecasting, quality assurance, hospitality law, and long-range planning.
Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, and ability to adapt communication style to different audiences.
Knowledge of sales techniques, including closing and negotiation skills.
Creative skills for developing innovative menus and event setups.

Responsibilities

Understand monthly forecasting and the annual budget process.
Improve meeting planner evaluation scores and exceed meeting planner satisfaction.
Optimize room rental charges.
Participate in re-booking repeat business and build long-term client relationships.
Participate in industry organizations such as NACE and MPI.
Conduct hotel site inspections and client presentations.
Develop innovative room setups, menus, and group functions; work with the Chef on pricing specialty menus.
Coordinate with the banquet department on operations and event execution, evaluating alternatives and deciding on plans of action.
Provide direction, coordination, and ongoing evaluation of operations.
Ensure detailed execution of banquet event orders generated by the Convention Services Department.
Provide Audio/Visual equipment and operate Audio/Visual as a profit center.
Monitor group room blocks and pickup, and generate detailed resumes for operating departments.
Work with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction for events and groups.
Comply with attendance rules and be available to work regularly.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.