Senior Event Planner

22322335; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited career development

Accommodation rates & discounts

Industry-leading training

Well-being programs

Collaborative team culture

Job summary

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is seeking an experienced Senior Event Planner to deliver seamless events from handover to post-event follow-up. You will coordinate with clients and internal teams, manage logistics, and maximize revenues while upholding Marriott standards.

The role covers events from intimate meetings to large conferences (up to 750 delegates), with leadership responsibilities in absence of the Director.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in event management, hospitality, conference planning, or related field.
• Diploma, Associate or Bachelor's in Hospitality Management, Business Admin, Event Management, or related discipline preferred.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong financial acumen and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, Opera PMS, and event management systems is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients after sales handover to understand objectives, budgets and requirements.
• Lead pre-event, operational, and post-event meetings for groups.
• Manage event documentation and communicate requirements across hotel departments.
• Coordinate meeting spaces, catering, accommodation blocks, and logistics.
• Anticipate operational challenges and develop solutions.
• Oversee client journey from handover to post-event follow-up.
• Collaborate with culinary, sales, operations, and third-party suppliers.

Skills

Event planning

Hospitality management

Budgeting

Client management

Stakeholder management

MS Office

Opera PMS

Education

Diploma/Associate/Bachelor in Hospitality Management or related

Tools

Opera PMS

Event management systems

Job description

Additional Information
Job Number26111090
Job CategorySales & Marketing
Location158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise Queen 4217, AustraliaVIEW ON MAP
ScheduleFull Time
Located Remotely?N
Position Type Non-Management

About Marriott International

Marriott International's portfolio includes JW Marriott alongside 29 world-class hotel brands. As the world's leading hospitality company, with over 10,000 hotels worldwide, Marriott offers unparalleled opportunities for associates to grow, develop, and build rewarding careers.

About JW Marriott

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio, with more than 100 stunning hotels and resorts located in gateway cities and inspiring destinations around the world. At JW Marriott, we believe our associates come first. When our associates thrive, our guests do too. Through The JW Treatment™, we foster a culture of care, well-being, development, recognition, and belonging. Here, you'll be part of a supportive community, surrounded by passionate professionals dedicated to creating exceptional guest experiences.

About the Role

As an Senior Event Planner at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, you will play a key role in delivering seamless and memorable events from initial handover through to post-event follow-up. Working closely with clients and internal stakeholders, you will manage all aspects of event planning, including logistics, vendor coordination, and operational execution. You will be responsible for preparing event documentation, coordinating with Sales and operational departments, and ensuring a consistently high level of service throughout every stage of the event lifecycle.

This role manages a diverse range of events, from intimate meetings of fewer than 20 attendees through to complex exhibitions and multi-day conferences of up to 750 delegates. You will also identify opportunities to maximize revenue through strategic upselling and event enhancements while ensuring an exceptional client experience that drives repeat business. In the absence of the Director of Event Planning, you will provide support and leadership as required.

Key Responsibilities Event Planning & Client Management

• Meet with clients following the sales handover to fully understand event objectives, budgets, and requirements.
• Lead pre-event, operational, and post-event meetings for assigned groups.
• Manage all event documentation and communicate requirements across hotel departments.
• Coordinate meeting spaces, catering requirements, accommodation blocks, and logistical arrangements.
• Anticipate operational challenges and proactively develop solutions.
• Oversee the client journey from handover through to post-event follow-up.
• Collaborate with culinary, sales, operations, and third-party suppliers to deliver successful events.
• Ensure compliance with Marriott standards, policies, and procedures.
• Recognize and celebrate team achievements and contributions.

Sales & Revenue Generation

• Identify opportunities to upsell products and services throughout the event planning process.
• Support customer site inspections and sales presentations where required.
• Serve as the primary liaison between clients and hotel operations teams.
• Build strong client relationships to encourage repeat business.

Financial Management

• Manage event-related revenue and profitability.
• Forecast accommodation, catering, and audiovisual revenue for assigned groups.
• Monitor client budgets and maximise revenue opportunities.
• Review event billing and coordinate with Finance to ensure timely invoicing and payment collection.
• Utilise Marriott event systems and technology platforms effectively.

Exceptional Guest & Client Experience

• Maintain a visible and professional presence throughout events.
• Liaise with Event Operations teams to ensure events are executed to the highest standards.
• Respond promptly and effectively to guest concerns and client requests.
• Gather and analyse client feedback to continuously improve service delivery.
• Conduct post-event follow-up and support future booking opportunities.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Minimum 2 years' experience in event management, hospitality, conference planning, or a related field.
• A Diploma, Associate Degree, or Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong financial acumen and attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, Opera PMS, and event management systems is highly desirable.

Benefits

At JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, you'll enjoy:

• Unlimited career development and growth opportunities within Marriott International.
• Associate accommodation rates and food & beverage discounts across Marriott properties worldwide.
• Recognition and reward programs.
• Industry-leading training and development opportunities.
• Well-being and mindfulness initiatives that support a healthy work-life balance.
• A collaborative and supportive team culture where associates are valued and empowered to succeed.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated.Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

Marriott Hotels strive to elevate the art of hospitality, innovating at every opportunity while keeping the comfort of the oh-so-familiar all around the globe. As a host with Marriott Hotels, you will help keep the promise of "Wonderful Hospitality. Always." by delivering thoughtful, heartfelt, forward-thinking service that upholds and builds upon this living legacy. With the name that's synonymous with hospitality the world over, we are proud to welcome you to explore a career with Marriott Hotels. In joining Marriott Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of more than 100 beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW believes our associates come first. Because if you're happy, our guests will be happy. JW Marriott associates are confident, innovative, genuine, intuitive, and carry on the legacy of the brand's namesake and company founder, J.Willard Marriott. Our hotels offer a work experience unlike any other, where you'll be part of a community and enjoy true camaraderie with a diverse group of co-workers. JW creates opportunities for training, development, recognition and most importantly, a place where you can pursue your passions in a luxury environment with a focus on holistic well-being. Treating guests exceptionally starts with the way we take care of our associates. That's The JW Treatment. In joining JW Marriott, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.