Senior Convention Services Manager — High-Impact Events

Omni Hotels & Resorts; Florida; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel seeks an experienced Convention Services Manager to enforce contract terms and guide planners through the planning process. You will liaise between planners and hotel, ensuring accurate communication of all details for convention services events, with eligibility for the Omni Sales Incentive Plan.

The role requires expertise in maximizing function space, producing clear group documents, and coordinating with multiple departments to deliver exceptional guest

Qualifications

• Must have 3+ years’ experience as a Convention Services Manager at a similar sized and type of hotel or hotel, with managing large groups, events [holiday parties, galas, social events], and conventions with size ranges of 2-500+ guests in attendance.
• Expert in time management
• Expert in front-facing customer service skills, such as patience and professionalism
• Strong food and beverage knowledge as it relates to large scale events.
• Expert in guiding customers with event setups and diagrams of all event types.
• Strong knowledge and experience with events containing large, outsourced exhibits, drayage, and production companies
• Demonstrated success in managing a wide range of complex events, including weddings, holiday parties, social parties, food shows, professional teams, government delegations, large-scale exhibits, and specialized group functions.
• Ability to focus attention on guest needs while remaining calm and courteous at all times
• Highly responsible & reliable
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities
• Strong ability to work independently, but ask for guidance when needed
• Computer expert in Microsoft Window applications, Social Tables, FDC and Delphi
• Certified Meeting Planner [optional]
• Team Player
• Ability to clearly and pleasantly communicate in English with guests, management and co-workers, written, verbally in person, and by telephone
• Ability to accurately and efficiently input information into computer systems, with developed computer proficiencies. Delphi experience required. Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.
• Ability to work cohesively and respectfully with co-workers both within and outside of your department
• Ability to think clearly, quickly and make concise decisions
• Ability to work well under pressure, dealing with many guest and manager requests/questions within a short period of time
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize and organize workload to ensure deadlines are met.
• Ability to handle stressful situations, while maintaining a calm and welcoming and respectful demeanor.
• Proven strong customer service focus with a passion for creating memorable and personalized guest experiences.
• Must be able to work a variety of shifts, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Position requires the ability to sit and engage in repetitive motion, including utilizing telephone/computer for extended periods of time or for an entire shift.
• Position requires the ability to move at a quick pace for extended periods of time.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate with customer through the use of creative and attractive menu presentations and event proposals to achieve both maximum revenue/profit potential and fulfillment of contractual responsibilities.
• Obtain all event-related information (to include, but not limited to meeting specifications, audio visual, rooming list, food and beverage requirements, forecasting food and beverage revenue at least 60 days in advance of program arrival).
• Drive function space optimization/maximization, to ensure best utilization of space for guest experience and financial performance of hotel.
• Produce and distribute accurate and clear group resumes, banquet event orders and diagrams etc. to all operating departments in a timely manner.
• Yield sleeping room block and function space accurately and calculate all applicable attrition with accounting.
• Initiate/follow up on billing procedures, ensuring deposits and/or credit applications are received within acceptable time frames.
• Conduct pre-convention and post-convention meetings with customers and pertinent departments to confirm all relevant details are communicated.
• Conduct any/all planning site inspections as required.
• During convention, will ensure the meeting arrangements are to the meeting planner’s specifications. Ensures all on-site changes are managed efficiently.
• Available to meeting planner during convention through phone, email, and in person in order to trouble shoot any questions that arise.
• Establish and maintain rapport with customers, prior to, during and post-convention, exceeding their expectations and encouraging repeat business.
• Attend all necessary meetings within hotel that affect/are affected by the Convention Services Department. (Daily standup, Hotel standup, BEO, Resume Review as needed, Guest Room Pickup, etc)
• Find solutions to the inevitable challenges that arise while the convention or event is on property and represents the hotel in a professional manner.
• Mentor and develop administrative staff and management staff for future growth as assigned.
• Responsible for accurately forecasting all food and beverage events, on a monthly and yearly basis. Assist in forecasting guestroom revenue along with the Group Housing Coordinator.

Skills

Time management

Front-facing customer service

Food & beverage knowledge

Event planning & diagrams

Large-scale events coordination

Problem solving

Communication (English)

Independent working

Tools

Delphi

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Social Tables

Windows applications

Job description

Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel seeks an experienced Convention Services Manager to enforce contract terms and guide planners through the planning process. You will liaise between planners and hotel, ensuring accurate communication of all details for convention services events, with eligibility for the Omni Sales Incentive Plan.

The role requires expertise in maximizing function space, producing clear group documents, and coordinating with multiple departments to deliver exceptional guest