Meetings & Events Manager, Special Events

Montage International•Bluffton, SC

About The Position

The Meetings & Events Manager, Special Events is an accomplished hospitality professional who plays a pivotal role in the creation and execution of exceptional, bespoke events that define and elevate the guest experience. This leadership position is responsible for cultivating signature holiday celebrations, lifestyle activations, and select corporate and wedding events that reflect the resort’s brand standards, creativity, and commitment to excellence. This individual exemplifies professionalism, discretion, and genuine service, delivering thoughtful, detail-oriented experiences through strategic planning, collaborative leadership, and impeccable execution. The Special Events Manager serves as a trusted liaison between internal stakeholders and resort leadership, ensuring each event is flawlessly curated from initial concept through post-event follow-up. The position reports to the Director of Meetings & Events and partners closely with senior resort leadership and multiple operating departments. Flexibility in schedule—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—is essential.

Requirements

Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, work schedules may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Attendance at all scheduled meetings, trainings, and resort events is required.
Consistently uphold and support Montage values, culture, and mission.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a high level of professionalism.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher.
Working knowledge of hospitality systems such as Salesforce, Social Tables, Opera, and Alice, Birchstreet preferred.
Strong understanding of luxury hotel catering and food and beverage operations.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and lead teams effectively.
Strong organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to strongly lead a team
Knowledge of local area is helpful
Strong knowledge of food and beverage
Refined professional demeanor with a service-driven, guest-focused mindset.
Knowledge of current event trends
Creative eye for event design, décor, and experiential details.
Financial acumen including budgeting and basic P&L comprehension.
Ability to remain calm, positive and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations.
Work with minimal supervision and be able to make sound decisions on own
Strong time management ability to work with timelines
High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
2–4 years of experience in luxury catering, corporate, social, or special event planning.

Nice To Haves

Strong background in event design and décor strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Holiday Events Curate and maintain the annual Holiday Events Calendar, including all major resort celebrations.
Lead all phases of holiday event planning and execution, adhering to critical timelines and ownership matrices.
Collaborate with Culinary, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Audio Visual, Operations, and Design teams to deliver seamless and memorable experiences.
Partner with Culinary leadership to create custom menus that enhance the guest experience.
Develop, manage, and reconcile event budgets with fiscal responsibility.
Lead planning, pre-event, and post-event meetings
Oversee on-site execution and serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and internal partners.
Create event desk for each holiday with a an overall aesthetic to include the forecasted budget for leadership approval.
Maintains accurate history of each holiday event with photos, post event notes and counts.
Lifestyle Experience Events Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop elevated lifestyle programming throughout the year.
Strategically plan and manage a full calendar of Montage Live experiences to drive demand and engagement.
Coordinate all operational elements including venues, décor, entertainment, food and beverage, and technical production.
Manage assigned budgets in alignment with marketing and business objectives.
In-House, Corporate, and Wedding Events Coordinate assigned in-house, group, corporate, and social events with exceptional attention to detail.
Serve as the primary liaison from contract confirmation through post-event follow-up.
Maintain consistent, professional communication with clients before and during their stay.
Personally welcome group contacts upon arrival and ensure seamless coordination with banquet leadership.
Oversee day-of execution, supporting clients and troubleshooting as needed.
Manage post-event billing, payments, and client satisfaction follow-up.
Work collaboratively with all resort departments to ensure clear communication and flawless execution.
Proactively prepare, review, and distribute Group Resumes and Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), including revisions.
Ultimate vendor responsibility – negotiating, pricing, quality control.
Ensure Montage Palmetto Bluff gets the highest quality material at the best prices to execute each event Create strong vendor relationships and maintain Montage Palmetto Bluff standards with each Maximizes revenue and controls expenses through effective negotiation of services and accurate forecasting 30/60/90 days out
Invoice processing accurately within the month of events through birchstreet, with 100% Birchstreet PO Compliance
Schedule and lead pre-event and operational meetings as required.
Attend daily BEO, departmental, and leadership meetings as directed.
Review upcoming events for accuracy in guarantees, floor plans, and special orders.
Maintain comprehensive knowledge of resort amenities, services, and operational hours.
Anticipate challenges and resolve issues with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
Execute special projects with minimal supervision while maintaining brand standards.
Handle sensitive information with the highest degree of confidentiality.
Foster a polished, positive, and professional work environment.