Convention Services Manager

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account with Company M

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company M

Paid Vacation & Sick Time

Paid Parental Leave

Company-Paid Life Insurance

Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term DI

Educational Assistance

Sonesta Hotel Discounts

Additional Perks & Employee Discounts

Free employee parking

Free shift meal

Shoes credit

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is seeking a Convention Services Manager to drive excellence in planning and executing meetings and events across our properties. You will align sales, operations, and culinary teams to deliver seamless experiences for clients and guests.

The role emphasizes team leadership, guest-focused service, and collaboration with multiple hotel departments to meet client needs and exceed expectations. Strong communication and hospitality acumen are essential.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Extensive knowledge of hotel and hospitality industry.
• Delphi and Opera PMS experience a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved guidelines.
• Assist client in menu planning, coordination, and event logistics.
• Plan and attend Pre and Post convention meetings.
• Manage function space and room block inventory; complete BEO paperwork.
• Implement daily, weekly, and monthly catering checklists.
• Build relationships with meeting planners and promote hotel services.
• Coordinate with sales and other departments to meet client needs.
• Prepare post-conference reports for senior management.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Hospitality industry knowledge

Education

High school degree or equivalent

College coursework in related field

Tools

Opera PMS

Delphi

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

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. 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.

What you’ll be doing

Work Environment Must be able work in a fast-paced environment. Majority of work takes place indoors. Physical Demands The person in this role may be exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects of up to 25pounds. The person in this role will be frequently standing up, bending, climbing, kneeling and moving about the hotel. Expected Hours of Work Must be flexible to work variable days of the week to include weekends and holidays. Must be flexible to work variable shifts (days, nights, overnights). Ten to twelve hour shifts sometimes required.

Education and Experience

High school degree or equivalent required. College course work in related field preferred. 1-2 years sales or marketing related experience required. Knowledge of hotel sales and/or catering preferred.

Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Operational/Functional: Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.
• 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.
• Plan and attend Pre and Post convention meetings.
• Manage function space and room block inventory as assigned and ensure that all BEO paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Implement a daily, weekly, and monthly checklist for the catering department.
• Build strong relationships with meeting planners and promote the hotel services and facilities.
• Work with sales staff to service and solicit new business.
• Work closely with other hotel departments to coordinate functions and events and ensure that banquet/meeting room set up is done according to client’s needs, room blocks and special reservations needs are met, and that service during the meeting/event meets and exceeds expectations.
• Complete post-conference reports of events for senior management and complete other reports as needed or requested.
• Attend weekly resume meetings.
• Assist the Director of Sales & Marketing/Director of Convention Services with budget and forecast and complete special projects and assignments as designated.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Financial Management

Maintain client files and update information daily in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures. Review daily postings of charges to master accounts of clients and resolve any discrepancies, or process necessary adjustments. Review final bill prior to presenting to client. Assist in the preparation of the departmental budget and implementation of the hotel’s catering and conference strategy.

Leading with Passion

Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate office. Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect. Inspire your coworkers to embrace and demonstrate Sonesta’s core values and the guest service standards.

Qualifications and Skills

A candidate for this position must possess the following applicable knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to demonstrate and provide applicable examples to support his/her competency. 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. Extensive knowledge of hotel and hospitality industry. Delphi and Opera PMS experience a plus. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (available the first day of the month after hire date)
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match (match begins after 11 months of employment)
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days (2 weeks of vacation, 6 sick days, 10 paid holidays per year)
• Free employee parking
• Free shift meal
• $60 Shoes for Crew credit per year
• Fun, family environment
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (over 1,200 hotels worldwide)
• Educational Assistance (up to $3,000 per calendar year)
• Paid Parental Leave (2 weeks paid leave)
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

How we reward you

• 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. At Sonesta, we value our team members as individuals who enhance our guests’ experiences with their unique skills and contributions. We actively support professional growth and personal happiness in each of our employees at each of our hotels, resorts, suites and cruise ships. We seek out people who will eagerly partner with us to improve the overall Sonesta experience for our guests, and the overall Sonesta experience for their fellow colleagues. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.