Director - Special Events

Wynn Al Marjan Island; Ras Al Khaimah; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury resort in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Director of Special Events to lead the Event Operations team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in event planning, strong leadership skills, and a background in luxury brands. Responsibilities include overseeing the Special Events department, managing budgets, and delivering high-impact experiences. This role offers an attractive salary in AED, healthcare, and excellent employee benefits.

Benefits

Attractive salary

Excellent leave policy

Healthcare package

Life insurance

Incentive programs

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in event planning or special events leadership.
• Strong experience in themed events.
• Proven ability to manage complex logistics and deliver high-impact experiences.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the efficient operation of the Special Events department within budget.
• Lead annual planning and budgeting for special events.
• Design onboarding and ongoing training programs for the Special Events team.

Skills

Event planning

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality or Event Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

On schedule to open in the United Arab Emirates in early 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island has been created as an opulent and entertaining beachside destination for discerning guests to play and relax. Located less than 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport, this integrated resort offering 1,530 rooms and suites, 22 restaurants and lounges, a theatre, nightclub, and five-star spa is currently under construction on a picturesque island that gracefully curves into the Arabian Gulf.

About The Position

Wynn Al Marjan Island is currently seeking a Director of Special Events to join the resort’s Event Operations team.

Responsibilities

The primary duties and responsibilities of this role are:

Pre-Opening

• Draft departmental policies & procedures
• Establish processes for the department role responsibilities involving billing, housing, event order management and hotel logistics
• Collaborate with Casino, Marketing, F&B, Private Access to develop annual events calendar
• Establish process for budget-to-actuals and reporting for ROI post event

Department Operations

• Oversee the efficient and cost-effective operation of the Special Events department within budget
• Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and event planning guides
• Collaborate with Marketing on client gifting programs and promotional initiatives
• Monitor event spaces for quality and readiness; coordinate maintenance and upgrades as needed
• Lead annual planning and budgeting for special events
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and brand standards
• Oversee the hospitality program for outside venues as are part of the Customer Development program
• Develop ticketing program for events, hospitality suites and sponsorship inclusions
• Accept any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the VP of Planning & Strategy

Budgeting

• Understand each department’s event calendar and affiliated budgets for proper planning
• Set budgets and proforma reviews for in-house events
• Create Sponsorships programs/packages for Resort Events
• Budget to Actual summary post event

Billing

• Establish accounting protocols for process of vendor invoices
• Create process through Birch Street and tracking of Purchase Orders, vendor invoices and timely bill payments
• Build relationships and establish discounts with reputable brand-aligned vendors for event execution
• New vendor protocol and setup in system with proper background
• Establish internal billing procedures (rates, terms, transfer)

Hotel Logistics

• Create and maintain group resume templates for cross-departmental communication
• Conduct regular meetings with operational teams to review upcoming events and action items
• Develop pre-event and post-event review templates to ensure continuous improvement
• Implement amenity and gifting programs for VIP guests
• Create internal meetings for review of upcoming events

Events

• Establish preferred vendors relationships for event execution
• Post Con recap of events (internal and external)
• Establish themes in collaboration with host departments for in-house events
• Partner with host departments on event vision and objectives
• Concept culturally relevant events
• Rally key departments for event support and concepting
• Lead event progress meetings
• Establish event package pricing for public facing Resort Events
• Coordinate with event marketing on brand development for Resort Events
• Review social marketing campaigns around Resort Events
• Oversite on team management of invited guest lists, seating charts and VIPs

People Management & Training

• Design onboarding and ongoing training programs for the Special Events team
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance evaluations to team members
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Make hiring decisions and manage team development
• Promote a culture of excellence, creativity, and accountability
• Billing & Vendor Management
• Establish and maintain accounting protocols for vendor payments
• Track financials including outstanding balances, purchase orders, and final invoices
• Build relationships with brand-aligned vendors and negotiate favourable terms
• Ensure PCI compliance and proper vendor setup procedures

About You

The ideal candidate for this position will have the following experience and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Hospitality, Event Management, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in event planning or special events leadership
• Strong experience in themed events
• Prior exposure to luxury brands is essential
• Experience in a dedicated events role is required
• Proven experience in budgeting and financial planning
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with diagramming preferred, but not required
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Proven ability to manage complex logistics and deliver high-impact experiences
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and guest-focused
• Comfortable working with multicultural teams and high-profile clients

About Wynn Al Marjan Island’s Benefits

We offer an attractive salary, paid in Dirhams (AED), the local currency of the UAE. In addition, we offer an excellent leave policy, a healthcare package and as well as life insurance, incentive programs, and other employee benefits. The result is a package that makes this role highly attractive to outstanding applicants seeking a career with Wynn Resorts, among the most renowned and celebrated brands in the global hospitality industry.