Assistant Director of Events

Shangri-La; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxurious hotel in the United Arab Emirates is seeking an Assistant Director of Events to lead the events management team. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Hospitality Management and a minimum of two years in a similar role within the luxury hospitality sector. Responsibilities include driving sales initiatives, developing catering accounts, and establishing relationships with local businesses. The role offers competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive benefits

Learning development pathways

Colleague stay/travel perks

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in a similar role, preferably in luxury hospitality.
• Ability to drive sales and achieve revenue targets.
• Familiar with events operations and sales strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead Events Management Team to achieve catering revenue targets.
• Develop catering account portfolios and sales goals.
• Maximize catering revenues through proper control of function space.

Skills

Sales-driven

Relationship management

Interpersonal skills

Proactive approach

Education

Degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

Delphi

Salesforce

Opera

Job description

About Us

Find Your Shangri-La in Shangri-La

Shangri-La Dubai is a luxurious urban sanctuary where modern energy meets timeless hospitality. With panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubais glittering skyline, every visit becomes an unforgettable experience.

Shangri-La Dubai

About the Role

As Assistant Director of Events, you will lead the Events Management Team in achieving the hotel's catering revenue targets through strategic sales initiatives aligned with the Marketing Plan. You will champion team development by driving training programs and fostering professional growth, while introducing innovative ideas to elevate service standards and guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop catering account portfolios, sales goals and strategies and ensure alignment of these goals to the hotel's overall business strategy.
• Lead the Events Management team in generating and developing leads for local Catering segments: Corporate, Social, Government & Association.
• Maximize catering revenues through proper control of function space utilization and assign function space according to guidelines and policy set forth.
• Analyze market trends and review competition ensuring implementation of proactive sales strategies to meet the market changes.
• Develop and maintain potential clients databases and ensure proper documentation of account activities through the account management feature of Delphi.
• Represent the hotel at Wedding Fairs and other management event activities.
• Identify key opportunities for the hotel in the market and capitalize on it through proactive sales activities.
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with the Government and key business leaders.
• Establish catering revenue budget and form accurate forecasts to guide the Events team selling strategies and activities.
• Manage and plan proactive and reactive sales strategies, customer sales visits, presentations, and other proactive campaigns.
• Analyze past leads and translate them into future strategies and sales activities for the benefit of the hotel.

About You

• A minimum of 2 years of proven experience in a similar role, preferably within the luxury hospitality sector.
• A degree in Hospitality Management.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sales, achieve revenue targets and has sound understanding of the local market and competitor landscape.
• Familiarity with Events operations, sales strategies, techniques and CRM systems such as Delphi, Salesforce and Opera.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills. People-oriented, outgoing, and self‑motivated with a proactive approach.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with fluency in English.
• Strong network with corporates, MICE, DMCs and other agencies in UAE.

Why Join Us

• A workplace that values your passion and supports self‑realization and personal growth.
• Structured learning and development pathways with real opportunities to advance your professional craft and leadership skills.
• Competitive benefits, recognition programs, and colleague stay/travel perks that reward your contribution and dedication.
• Teams that promote inclusion and respect, value diversity, and foster a secure environment where everyone can thrive.
• We are an equal opportunity employer.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcomed. All information provided by applicants will be treated in and used only for recruitment purposes.

We appreciate your interest in joining us. Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.