Catering Conference Services Manager

Sonesta Hotels International Corporation in; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonesta Hotels International Corporation in Fort Lauderdale is seeking a Convention Services Manager to connect clients with hotel ops, leading event planning from turnover to execution. You’ll balance client relationships, operational coordination, and guest experience in a fast-paced hospitality setting.

You’ll collaborate across Banquets, Culinary, F&B, Sales, Front Office, and Housekeeping to deliver flawless events, manage BEOs, timelines, room setups, and AV needs while developing upsell

Qualifications

• Experience in convention services, catering, banquet, or hospitality.
• Knowledge of group events, banquet operations, and BEO management.
• Excellent communication, organization, multitasking, and relationship-building.
• Ability to manage multiple events and priorities in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Experience with Delphi, catering software, CRM, PMS, or hotel event platforms.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage meetings, conferences, corporate events, and group functions from turnover through post-event follow-up.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the event planning and execution process.
• Lead planning calls, site visits, event meetings, and operational walkthroughs to ensure all details are clear and executed.
• Prepare and manage banquet event orders (BEOs), event timelines, room setups, catering details, audiovisual needs, and group requirements.
• Partner with Banquets, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Sales, Front Office, Housekeeping, and leadership teams to ensure flawless execution.
• Monitor on-site operations to ensure guest experiences and resolve concerns quickly and professionally.
• Maintain relationships with clients, vendors, planners, and partners throughout the lifecycle.
• Support upselling opportunities, event enhancements, and guest experience initiatives.
• Manage group room blocks, VIP arrangements, billing, and operational communication for events.
• Maintain event documentation, reports, client communications, and system updates in sales/catering platforms.
• Help create memorable event experiences aligned with Sonesta’s People People culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Event planning

Banquet operations

Catering coordination

CRM systems

PMS systems

Hospitality experience

Tools

Delphi

Catering software

CRM systems

PMS systems

Job description

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast ).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

At Sonesta, exceptional meetings and events are built on thoughtful planning, seamless execution, and unforgettable hospitality. As the Convention Services Manager, you’ll help bring conferences, meetings, and special events to life by serving as the key connection between clients and hotel operations.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment and enjoys balancing event planning, client relationships, operational coordination, and guest experience. You’ll oversee group event details from contract turnover through execution while partnering closely with Sales, Banquets, Culinary, Food & Beverage, and Operations teams to ensure flawless event delivery.

If you’re organized, service-driven, and passionate about hospitality and events — we’d love to meet you.

What you’ll be doing

• Coordinate and manage meetings, conferences, corporate events, and group functions from turnover through post-event follow-up.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the event planning and execution process.
• Lead planning calls, site visits, event meetings, and operational walkthroughs to ensure all event details are communicated clearly and executed successfully.
• Prepare and manage banquet event orders (BEOs), event timelines, room setups, catering details, audiovisual needs, and group requirements.
• Partner closely with Banquets, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Sales, Front Office, Housekeeping, and hotel leadership teams to support seamless event execution.
• Monitor event operations on-site to ensure exceptional guest experiences and resolve operational concerns quickly and professionally.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, meeting planners, and operational partners throughout the event lifecycle.
• Support upselling opportunities, event enhancements, and guest experience initiatives designed to maximize client satisfaction and revenue performance.
• Manage group room blocks, VIP arrangements, billing coordination, and operational communication for assigned events.
• Maintain accurate event documentation, operational reports, client communication, and system updates within hotel sales and catering platforms.
• Help create memorable event experiences aligned with Sonesta’s People People culture and hospitality standards.
• Any other duties as assigned.

What great looks like

• Previous convention services, catering, banquet, event planning, hotel, hospitality, or customer service experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of group events, banquet operations, catering coordination, BEO management, and hospitality service standards.
• Excellent communication, organization, multitasking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on operational execution and guest experience.
• Experience using Delphi, catering software, CRM systems, PMS systems, or hotel event platforms preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and service recovery skills with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and support operational teamwork.
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, holidays, and event support as needed.
• A passion for hospitality, guest engagement, teamwork, and creating exceptional event experiences.

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Educational Assistance
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these )
• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.