Convention Service Manager

Sonesta Hotels; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels in Austin, TX is seeking a Convention Services Manager to coordinate meetings, conventions and events booked through the sales department. You will align client needs with hotel staff to execute events and lead teams to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

The role requires strong leadership, event planning, and collaboration across departments, with on-site responsibilities and occasional non-traditional hours.

Qualifications

• 2 years of hotel-related sales experience required.
• High school degree or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 1 year of catering sales experience in a 4-Diamond hotel with 8,000+ sqft of function space is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved booking guidelines.
• Confirm client requirements via contracts and addendums.
• Assist clients in menu planning, F&B coordination, and room setup as needed.
• Work with sales staff to service and solicit new business.
• Upsell client events and manage function space and room blocks.
• Coordinate with hotel departments to fulfill services.
• Distribute Banquet Event Orders and contracts.
• Conduct site tours for qualified clients and follow up after events.

Skills

Hotel sales

Communication

Organizational skills

PMS Opera

Delphi FDC

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Opera PMS

Job description

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

An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect.

Together We Thrive —bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting.

Job Description Summary

The Convention Services Manager sets the tone for Sonesta’s Culture of Caring. We expect leaders to focus on creating amazing moments for guests and team members and dig deep to find ways to create success for their team.

Job Description

The Convention Services Manager is responsible for coordinating meetings, conventions and other special events that are booked through the sales department. The Convention Services Manager synchronizes the needs of the group contact planning the event and the staff of the hotel to effectively execute the event function. The ideal candidate has a passion for building and motivating teams that achieve results. Sonesta managers are guest-focused (both internal and external) and achievement-oriented leaders.

Operational/Functional:

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.
• Confirm in writing to the client and all affected hotel departments all group requirements via sales contract terms, addendums, confirmation of pricing, group resumes, and/or banquet event order.
• As needed, assist the client in menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow, room set-up, group room blocks and VIP services, etc.
• Work with sales staff to service and solicit new business.
• Up-sell client events and manage function space and room block inventory as assigned.
• Work closely with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
• Report and communicate Meeting event needs between the client and hotel.
• Prepare and distribute amenity request forms for specified clients. Obtain designated approvals and follow-up on delivery.
• Check function room set ups prior to guest arrival, ensuring all details are in agreement with client’s requirements and hotel standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by appropriate personnel.
• Welcome group contact upon arrival at function and ensure guest satisfaction.
• Monitor and ensure all functions are set up, refreshed, and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and departmental procedures.
• Work in a timely manner to executive and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and contracts as designated by sales.
• Conduct hotel and banquet facility tours and entertain qualified clients in accordance with company and property policies.
• Follow up with clients regularly during and after departure to ensure satisfaction and secure future bookings.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include all hotel departments.
• Interact with outside contacts: Guests – to ensure their total satisfaction, Airlines, wholesalers, corporate accounts, travel agencies, ad agencies, etc. – to ensure repeat business, follow up on events, and generate new business, Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups).
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills, Physical Demands:

• 2 years of hotel-related sales experience required. Hotel events, sales and/or conference services experience is preferred.
• High school degree or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• 1 year of catering sales experience in a 4-Diamond hotel with 8,000+sqft of function space is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments
• Delphi FDC and Opera PMS experience a plus
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Must be able work in a fast-paced environment.
• Most work tasks are performed indoors.
• Ability to carry, lift or pull items weighing up to 50lbs and pushing and / or pulling approximately 200lbs.
• The person in this role will be frequently standing up, bending, climbing, kneeling and moving about the hotel.
• On-site position that may require days, nights, weekends and holidays as business and hotel needs dictate.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.