Associate Director of Meetings & Events

Loews Hotels & Co; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Paid Time Off

Training & Development

Employee Meals

Free Parking

Job summary

Loews Chicago O’Hare is seeking a seasoned Associate Director of Meetings & Events to elevate guest experiences through flawless execution of meetings, conventions, and events. You will lead the social catering strategy, mentor leaders, and collaborate with Sales, Culinary, and Banquets to grow revenue and client relationships.

You’ll work with a cross-functional team to drive rebooking and long-term partnerships, while guiding the department in strategic planning and program delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum six years progressive Meeting, Event, and/or Catering Sales Management experience in a full-service, large-volume hotel.
• Demonstrated Social Catering sales experience, including business development and lead conversion.
• Experience leading weddings, social celebrations, galas, and other complex social events.
• Proven ability to collaborate with Culinary and operational teams on menu development and pricing.
• Experience leading Catering Sales and/or Catering Service professionals.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or related field; certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-profile, complex programs and events with seamless execution and client satisfaction.
• Partner with Reservations, Billing, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, Culinary, and Banquets to deliver outcomes.
• Lead training initiatives for the Meetings & Events team to foster growth and consistency.
• Monitor performance and ensure timely Banquet Event Orders, diagrams, and event documentation.
• Drive the property's Social Catering strategy to generate new business and achieve revenue goals.
• Identify opportunities in the local social market to grow weddings and galas.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on menu development and package design.
• Oversee Catering Service Managers to ensure accountability and smooth sales-to-execution transitions.
• Support corporate catering sales initiatives and advance Social Catering performance.

Skills

Meeting & Events Sales Leadership

Catering Sales

Team Mentoring

Client Relationship Mgmt

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management

Certified Meeting Planner

Tools

Delphi

Cvent

Social Tables

Opera

Job description

Situated between vibrant Downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport, Loews Chicago O'Hare combines accessibility, comfort and style. Guests enjoy spacious and sophisticated accommodations, luxury amenities and complimentary airport shuttle service all designed to create a seamless stay for both business and leisure travelers.

Who We Are

Founded in 1960, Loews Hotels & Co operates iconic hotels and resorts across the U.S. Together, our diverse and welcoming teams craft exceptional experiences in iconic destinations.

Growth and belonging start here

you’ll be valued for who you are and the goals you have. Whether your next career chapter involves making memories for guests or supporting our properties in our Corporate Office, every role-from Guest Services to Finance, Culinary to IT-offers opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact.

Creating a Team Member experience where you belong no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status that makes you, you is a daily focus for us.

What We Offer

• Competitive health & wellness benefits, retirement benefits
• Paid Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays & Paid Bereavement
• Training & Development opportunities, career growth
• Pet Insurance & Pet Bereavement
• Complimentary parking
• Complimentary meals in Team Member Café while working
• Complimentary use of fitness center
• Team Member Hotel Rates, other discounts, perks & more
• Community volunteer opportunities
• Benefits are subject to eligibility and may vary by position

What We're Looking For

A seasoned and strategic Associate Director of Meetings & Events who will elevate the guest experience through flawless execution of meetings, conventions, and events, while playing a key leadership role in driving the property's Social Catering business. In this role, you'll partner with the Director of Meetings & Events to guide the team, foster collaboration, mentor future leaders, and help shape the strategy and growth of the social market. Your expertise will ensure every event exceeds expectations, drives revenue, strengthens client relationships, and creates opportunities for repeat and referral business.

Who You Are

• Culture Champion: You lead with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to inclusivity.
• Strategic Leader: You balance big picture vision with meticulous attention to detail and understand how to translate strategy into measurable results.
• Social Catering Driver: You bring strong social catering sales experience and are energized by building business, converting opportunities, and growing revenue across weddings, celebrations, galas, and other social events.
• Creative Problem Solver: You adapt quickly and craft solutions that deliver exceptional results for both clients and operational partners.
• Relationship Builder: You create meaningful connections with clients, community partners, vendors, and team members.
• Forward Thinker: You use data, market insight, competitive trends, and client feedback to anticipate needs and shape future success.
• Collaborative Partner: You thrive in dynamic environments and work effectively across Sales, Culinary, Banquets, and other operational departments to evolve the social catering experience.
• Veterans and military spouses are encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do

• Manage high-profile, complex programs and events, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction.
• Partner with key operational teams including Reservations, Billing, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, Culinary, and Banquets to deliver exceptional outcomes.
• Implement Loews Hotels Meetings & Events standards and best practices across all functions.
• Lead training initiatives for the Meetings & Events team, fostering growth and consistency.
• Monitor team performance, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of Banquet Event Orders, diagrams, and event documentation.
• Lead and support the property's Social Catering strategy, with a focus on generating new business, improving conversion, strengthening market positioning, and achieving catering revenue goals.
• Proactively identify opportunities within the local social market and build relationships that drive weddings, celebrations, galas, and other social catering business.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and Culinary leadership to develop, refresh, and evolve social catering menus, packages, and experiences that are competitive, relevant, and aligned with market demand.
• Partner with operational leaders to evaluate the current social catering experience, identify opportunities to improve the status quo, and enhance the sales, planning, and execution process.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the Catering Service Managers, helping ensure consistency, accountability, and a seamless transition from sales through event execution.
• Support corporate catering sales initiatives and strategies while serving as the property leader responsible for advancing Social Catering performance.
• Assist the Director in workload distribution, group turnover reviews, and departmental leadership responsibilities.
• Participate in menu updates, pricing strategies, and competitive analysis to maintain market positioning.
• Build and maintain event documentation, including Banquet Event Orders, diagrams, and group resumes.
• Schedule and lead pre- and post-convention meetings, providing onsite support for major events.
• Prepare post-event recaps, analyzing performance against forecasts and guarantees.
• Drive rebooking efforts and cultivate long-term client relationships.
• Attend internal meetings and represent the department in cross-functional discussions.
• Serve as a backup leader for the Director of Meetings & Events, managing schedules, assignments, and reporting as needed.
• Regular attendance in conformance with standards.
• May be required to work varying schedules to reflect business needs.
• Required to attend all mandatory training sessions and meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications Include

• Minimum six years progressive Meeting, Event, and/or Catering Sales Management experience in a full-service, large-volume, upper upscale hotel, preferred.
• Demonstrated Social Catering sales experience, including business development, lead conversion, client relationship management, and achievement of catering revenue goals.
• Experience leading or supporting weddings, social celebrations, galas, and other complex social events.
• Proven ability to collaborate with Culinary and operational teams on menu development, package design, pricing, and enhancements to the overall social catering experience.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or overseeing Catering Sales and/or Catering Service professionals preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or another similar major, preferred.
• Certified Meeting Planner designation, preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and hotel operational systems and software including Delphi, Cvent, Social Tables, Opera, or similar platforms.
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, reach, and lift/pull/push 35 plus pounds regularly throughout the shift.

Salary range for this position, based on experience, is $82,400.00 to $103,000.00.

This position is eligible for a performance-based incentive program.

Visit this site to view benefits this role may be eligible for based on classification:

Loews Hotels Benefits