Manager Weddings & Social Events - Meliá Desert Palm Dubai

Meliá Hotels International; Dubai; On-site; AED 270,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

We are seeking a Manager - Social Events & Weddings for Meliá Desert Palm in Dubai. You will drive Weddings, Social and Private Events revenue, build strategic partnerships and lead the sales cycle from inquiry to booking.

Ideal candidates bring 3–5 years in luxury hotel wedding or events sales, fluent English/Arabic, and a proven ability to exceed targets. This role requires flexibility to attend events outside normal hours and close collaboration with internal teams.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in wedding, social events, catering or hospitality sales.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Ability to hit revenue targets and convert leads into business.
• Strong commercial, negotiation, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, OPERA, CRM, and PMS systems.
• Knowledge of UAE wedding and social events market is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing or Events Management.
• Willingness to attend client appointments, exhibitions and events outside regular hours.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver annual Weddings, Social and Private Events revenue targets.
• Develop sales plans, forecasts and initiatives to grow the segment.
• Generate new business through calls, referrals, networking, exhibitions and site visits.
• Build relationships with wedding planners, agencies, partners and clients.
• Qualify enquiries and create tailored proposals reflecting client needs and budgets.
• Negotiate rates, packages, deposits and terms within authority.
• Maximise event revenue across accommodation, F&B, venue, spa, transport and activities.
• Maintain a sales pipeline and update client activities in CRM.
• Collaborate with Revenue, Marketing, Events, Culinary, F&B, Rooms and Finance.
• Ensure contracts and deposits comply with hotel policies and timelines.

Skills

Wedding sales

Social events

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Organisational skills

MS Office

OPERA

CRM

PMS

Event management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

OPERA

CRM

PMS

Job description

“The world is yours with Meliá”

Discover a path without limits at Meliá, where growth and development opportunities are endless. Embark on a journey that will take you to work in several countries and become part of our extended global family.

Discover some of the benefits we offer:

• My MeliáRewards: Participate in our exclusive loyalty program, enjoying unique benefits and advantages.
• My MeliáBenefits: Take advantage of flexible compensation and exclusive discounts on a wide variety of products and services, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

Tucked away within a lush polo estate in Dubai, Meliá Desert Palm is a luxury urban resort where wellness, personalised service, and meaningful experiences come together. With expansive event spaces, lush gardens and sweeping views of the polo fields, the resort offers a distinctive setting for elegant weddings, intimate gatherings and grand celebrations.

We are looking for a Manager - Social Events & Weddings, bringing together a passion for exceptional hospitality, an eye for detail and the commercial expertise to grow our weddings and events, creating celebrations that reflect the individual stories of our guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the annual Weddings, Social and Private Events revenue target in line with the approved budget and commercial strategy.
• Develop monthly, quarterly and annual sales action plans, forecasts and initiatives to grow the segment.
• Generate new business through sales calls, referrals, networking, wedding exhibitions, site inspections, showcases and strategic partnerships.
• Build strong relationships with wedding planners, event agencies, destination-wedding specialists, luxury partners, suppliers and private clients.
• Qualify enquiries, conduct client consultations and create tailored proposals reflecting each client’s vision, cultural requirements, guest profile and budget.
• Negotiate rates, packages, minimum spends, inclusions and contractual terms within approved authority.
• Maximise event revenue through accommodation, food and beverage, venue hire, spa, transportation, activities and other hotel services.
• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline, recording client activities, proposals, contracts, next actions and lost-business reasons in the designated systems.
• Monitor competitor activity, pricing, wedding trends and market developments, sharing actionable recommendations with the Director of Sales.
• Collaborate with Revenue Management, Marketing, Events, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Rooms, Finance and other departments on pricing, packages, promotions and client requirements.
• Ensure contracts, deposits, payment schedules, amendments, concessions and approvals comply with hotel policies.
• Ensure a complete and timely handover to Event Management and operational teams, covering contractual commitments, client expectations, payment status, cultural requirements, timelines and outstanding decisions.
• Remain the senior commercial relationship owner throughout the event journey, working closely with Event Management on detailed planning and delivery.
• Monitor client satisfaction, coordinate the resolution of concerns and conduct post-event follow-up to generate repeat and referral business.
• Represent the hotel at approved wedding exhibitions, trade shows, networking events, familiarisation visits and promotional activities.
• Support Marketing with wedding campaigns, sales collateral, showcases, digital content and qualified lead follow-up.
• Submit regular reports covering revenue, pipeline, conversion, forecasts, account activity, market intelligence, risks and opportunities.
• Comply with brand standards, commercial controls, confidentiality requirements, hotel policies and applicable regulations.
• Oversee event operations in collaboration with the hotel teams, ensuring a seamless experience for clients and guests.

What You Bring

• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience in wedding, social event, catering or hospitality sales, preferably within a luxury hotel or premium venue.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is required.
• A proven ability to achieve revenue targets and convert qualified leads into confirmed business.
• Strong commercial, negotiation, presentation, relationship-building and organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with OPERA, CRM, PMS, catering or event-management systems.
• Knowledge of the UAE wedding and social events market is preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Events Management or a related field is an advantage.
• Flexibility to attend client appointments, wedding exhibitions, showcases and selected events outside regular working hours, when required.

At Meliá we are all VIP

At Meliá Hotels International, we are committed equal opportunities between women and men in the workplace, with the commitment of management and the principles contained in Human Resources policies. We also prioritize disseminating throughout the entire staff a corporate culture committed to effective equality, and raising awareness about the need to act jointly and globally.

We promote our commitment to equality and diversity, avoiding any kind of dicrimination, especially related to reasons of disability, race, religion, gender, or age. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our employees are essential for our success as a global company.

Additionally, we support the sustainable growth of our industry through a socially responsible team. In this sense, our motto is "Towards a sustainable future, from a responsible present". Thanks to al our collaborators, we make it possible.

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