Senior Event Services Manager

Reitmr; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels is seeking a Sr. Event Services Manager in the Washington, D.C. area to coordinate corporate catering events and group banquets from intake to completion.

You will be the liaison between clients and hotel departments, ensuring accurate documentation and flawless event execution. You will lead communications with culinary, banquet, AV, engineering, and front office teams, manage room blocks, and balance invoices while maintaining high service standards and client

Responsibilities

• Act as the central point of communication between clients and all hotel teams to guarantee smooth event coordination and seamless execution.
• Oversee a diverse lineup of events including corporate and government meetings, galas, and corporate social gatherings with exceptional service and attention to detail.
• Conduct detailed client consultations to confirm event objectives, guest room needs, meeting room setups, timelines, menus, and audiovisual needs.
• Create, update, and distribute Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and Group Resumes with absolute accuracy across departments.
• Oversee all aspects of event setup and service execution, including on-site presence during major events to ensure flawless delivery.
• Keep proactive communication with clients throughout the planning process and event lifecycle to ensure satisfaction and strengthen partnerships.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Tools

Delphi.fdc

Social Tables

TripleSeat

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 Sr. Event Services primarily responsible for gathering the details for Corporate Catering events and Groups with Banquet from the client, assimilating the information into standard documents and disseminating the information to all departments efficiently and effectively. This position acts as the liaison between the group's meeting planner and the hotel staff. Responsibilities include providing exceptional customer service while working with clients, booking new and repeat business, administering the sales agreement, detailing all food, beverage and A/V needs, managing room blocks and pick up, billing instructions and final review. The Sr. Event Services Manager needs to have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask effectively.

What you'll be doing

Event Planning and Execution

• Act as the central point of communication between clients and all hotel teams (Culinary, Banquets, AV, Engineering, Front Office, Housekeeping, Accounting) to guarantee smooth event coordination and seamless execution.
• Oversee a diverse lineup of events-including corporate and government meetings, galas, and corporate social gatherings-while delivering exceptional service and attention to detail.
• Conduct detailed client consultations to confirm event objectives, guest room needs, meeting room setups, timelines, menus, and audiovisual needs.
• Monitor Convention Groups Room Requirements to ensure all convention attendees receive commitments made in the hotels' agreements.
• Create, update, and distribute Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and Group Resumes with absolute accuracy, ensuring all details (room setups, F&B requirements, timing, billing, and guarantees) are current and verified with all departments.
• Oversee all aspects of event setup and service execution, including on-site presence during major events to ensure flawless delivery.
• Keep proactive open, consistent communication with clients throughout the planning process and event lifecycle to ensure satisfaction, manage updates, and strengthen ongoing partnerships.
• Maintain detailed notes in the event management system for traceability and accountability.
• Manage multiple versions of BEOs within deadlines, ensuring version control and consistency across departments.
• Participate in weekly BEO review meetings with internal departments to share updates and confirm logistical alignment.

Event Sales

• Nurture strong client relationships to encourage repeat bookings and generate referrals.
• Solicit new accounts, book, detail and service
• Identify upsell opportunities

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with sales, operations, and culinary departments to enhance event quality and drive overall profitability.
• Contribute to hotel-wide meetings and strategic planning discussions to ensure events support larger organizational goals.
• Provide clear, professional, and timely communication to both internal teams and clients regarding approaching Cut-Off Dates, Attrition and other deliverables.
• Convert detailed event requirements into straightforward, executable directives for banquet and culinary staff.
• Facilitate pre-convention briefings and post-event reviews to analyze achievements, address challenges, and identify areas for improvement.
• Foster strong, productive relationships with vendors, event planners, production partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Handle last-minute adjustments and guest issues with tact, composure, and a high level of professionalism.

Systems & Administrative Excellence

• Proficiently work within a variety of hospitality software systems, such as:
• Delphi.fdc, Social Tables, TripleSeat, or similar CRM/event management tools
• Sertifi, DocuSign, or comparable brand-specific platforms
• Produce precise event documentation, including event orders, contracts, billing summaries, invoices, and after-action reports.
• Maintain detailed event files and digital documentation in compliance with hotel SOPs and brand standards.
• Review and balance master accounts, verify accurate coding, and collaborate with Accounting to ensure prompt invoicing and payment collection.
• Evaluate event financial performance and assist with forecasting, budgeting, and post-event financial analysis.

Guest Experience & Quality Assurance

• Consistently