Director of Event Planning

Westin Hotels & Resorts; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus Eligible

Job summary

Westin Ottawa is seeking an experienced Senior Event Manager to lead the event planning team and drive seamless pre- to post-event operations.

You will oversee planning, staffing, budgeting, and revenue forecasting while ensuring exceptional guest service and strong financial performance of the department.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 4 years experience in event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related area.
• Or 2-year degree from accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; 2 years experience in event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related area.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Event Planning team and manage events from pre-event through post-event phases.
• Forecast catering and group room revenue; maximize upselling opportunities and revenue.
• Ensure guest and employee satisfaction; manage the department's financial performance.
• Lead Event Planning meetings and ensure standards, policies and procedures are followed.
• Communicate and execute safety procedures; train staff in emergency plans.
• Coordinate with Sales and Operations to ensure seamless turnover from sales to operations.

Skills

Event management

Leadership

Budget management

Staff oversight

Education

High school diploma or GED; 4 years event management experience

2-year degree in Hospitality/Business; 2 years event management experience

Job description

Additional Information

Job Number 26122796

Job Category Event Management

Location 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON K1N 9H4, Canada VIEW ON MAP

Schedule Full Time

Located Remotely? N

Position Type Management

Pay Range: $104,000-$138,000 Annually

Bonus Eligible: Y

Job Summary

Manages event planning functions and staff on a daily basis. Core area of responsibility is the event planning team, including the Senior Event Managers, Event Managers, Associate Event Managers and Administrative Assistants. Position oversees the administrative processes associated with the pre-event and post-event phases of an event and the associated transitions between all event phases. Ensures a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering a high level of service. Ensures the team maximizes revenue opportunities by the up-selling and accurately forecasting (catering and group rooms) all events. The position is responsible for achieving guest and employee satisfaction and for managing the financial performance of the department.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or GED; 4 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.

OR

• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; 2 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Managing Event Planning Operations

• Assigns all events turned over to Event Planning team.
• Oversees for turned opportunities’ function space and group room blocks.
• Communicates and executes departmental and property emergency procedures and ensures staff are trained in safety procedures.
• Leads execution of activities to support the Event Management strategy.
• Works with direct reports to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.
• Leads discussions to review event complexity and proactively avoid service challenges and failures.
• Ensures the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations.
• Manages customer budgets to maximize revenue and meet customer needs.
• Maintains inventories to maximize customer satisfaction and revenue opportunities.
• Works with highly complex or high profile groups when financial impact will be significant.

Leading Event Planning Team

• Leads the catering menu development process.
• Champions all standards, policies and procedures for the Event Planning team.
• Leads Event Management meetings.

Providing and Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

• Reviews comment cards, guest satisfaction results and other data to identify areas of improvement.
• Shares plans with property leadership and ensures corrective action is taken to continuously improve guest satisfaction.
• Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies excellent customer service and creates a positive atmosphere for guest relations.
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
• Responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
• Strives to improve service performance.
• Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service.

Managing the Sales and Marketing Strategy

• Develops working relationships with outside vendors and establishes prices and service agreements to enhance the event experience and to increase additional revenue opportunities for the property.
• Consult with customers in order to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.

Conducting Human Resources Activities

• Establishes customer service guidelines so employees understand expectations and parameters.
• Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations.
• Observes service behaviors of employees and provides feedback to individuals and or managers.
• Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest service and planning needs are met.

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.

Notification to Applicants: The Westin Ottawa takes seriously its obligations under provincial human rights and accessibility legislation (such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, and Nova Scotia Accessibility Act). We are happy to provide accommodations to job applicants needing assistance. If you require an accommodation in relation to this job posting, our online application or an interview, please call 905-366-5227 or email [e-mail] and a member of our Human Resources team will respond to your request. Please note that this phone number and email are only for those individuals who would like to request an accessibility accommodation as part of the recruiting process. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

At Westin, we are committed to empowering guests to regain control and enhance their well-being when they need it most while traveling, ensuring they can be the best version of themselves. To achieve the brand mission of becoming the preeminent wellness brand in hospitality, we need passionate and engaged associates to bring the brand’s unique programming to life. We want our associates to embrace their own well-being practices both on and off property. You are the ideal Westin candidate if you are passionate; you are active and take pride in how you maintain your well-being; you are optimistic; you are adventurous. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.