Conference Services Manager

HEI Hotels & Resorts•Parsippany, NJ

2d•$60,000 - $70,961•Onsite

About The Position

Create the desired conference and meet clients’ needs through active communication, planning, and team leadership. This role involves managing monthly forecasting and the annual budget process, optimizing room rental charges, and maintaining long-term client relationships to secure repeat business. The Conference Services Manager will also actively participate in industry organizations, utilize strong sales and negotiation skills, and conduct hotel site inspections and client presentations. Creativity in developing innovative set-ups, menus, and functions, in collaboration with the Chef, is essential. This position requires close work with the banquet department for operational execution and problem-solving, as well as providing direction and evaluation of operations. Experience with Audio/Visual equipment as a profit center is needed, along with proficiency in Delphi, Word, and Excel. The role includes monitoring group room blocks and pick-up, generating detailed resumes for operating departments, and coordinating with outside vendors. The position is 25% catering sales and 75% convention services, with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Prior experience in the field of hospitality with specific experience in catering sales is essential.
Minimum of one year within the Hospitality Industry required.
Must have experience at a similar size and quality hotel.
Must possess computer skills, including, but not limited to, use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Delphi.
Knowledge of sales skills, revenue management, training, and motivation of peers.
Knowledge of hotel features, benefits, and competing hotels within the market.
Ability to execute appropriate action plans.
Knowledge of hotel operations, including marketing plans, security and safety programs, personnel and labor relations, preparation of business plans, repairs, maintenance, budget forecasting, quality assurance programs, hospitality law, and long-range planning.
Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences, such as effectively communicating with supervisors, coworkers, public etc.

Responsibilities

Manage monthly forecasting and the annual budget process.
Ensure exceeding meeting planner satisfaction by implementing effective methods.
Optimize room rental charges.
Consistently participate in the re-booking of repeat business by having a track record of long-term client relationships.
Actively participate in industry related organizations (NACE, MPI).
Utilize strong sales techniques, closing skills, and negotiating skills.
Conduct hotel site inspections and client presentations.
Provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups, generating creative and innovative menus while working closely with Chef on pricing specialty menus.
Work closely with the banquet department on operations and event execution, evaluating alternatives and deciding on a plan of action.
Provide overall direction, coordination, and ongoing evaluation of operations.
Ensure detailed execution of all banquet event orders generated by the Convention Services Department.
Manage Audio/Visual equipment and operate it as a profit center.
Monitor group room blocks and pick up, generate detailed resumes for the operating departments.
Work with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction for all events/groups.
Comply with attendance rules and be available to work on a regular basis.
Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.