Event Planning Manager

Company: Highgate Hotels
Location: Bethesda
Posted on: May 27, 2023

Job Description:

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu. Highgate also has a key presence in Barcelona. Highgate's portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $10B and generates over $2B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.Hyatt Regency Bethesda is an iconic hotel located in the heart of downtown Bethesda. Nestled above the Bethesda Metro Red Line, the hotel offers easy access to Washington DC's famous museums, monuments and zoo and is only minutes from Bethesda Row, which offers unlimited shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Hotel offers 390 modern guestrooms with upscale amenities.Hyatt Regency BethesdaOne Bethesda Metro CenterBethesda, MD 20814The EventPlanning Manager is responsible for coordinating and supervising assigned group business after it is booked by the sales department, and through completion of the event or function, while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels. He/she is expected to market ideas to promote business Reduce employee turnover Maintain revenue and payroll budgets and meet budgeted productivity while keeping quality consistently high. The Event Services Manager is also responsible for acting as a liaison between client and operating departments to ensure a successful meeting and to generate repeat business.Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.Follow up on all turnovers within 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.Know meeting room setups and capabilities.Know sleeping room configurations and types.Respond to requests by Meeting Planners immediately.Use the Partnership Agreement to meet client needs.Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.Create, review and revise rooming lists and VIP lists.Manage existing accounts and follow up with client resolicitation to capture future business.Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.Manage the function book and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One-to-One Training, etc.)Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Director of Catering.Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and quality.Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled.At least 3 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field or a 4year college degree and at least 1 year of related experience or a 2year college degree and 2 or more years of related experience.Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.Flexible and long hours sometimes required.Medium work Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.Perform other duties as requested by management.

Keywords: Highgate Hotels, Bethesda , Event Planning Manager, Executive , Bethesda, Maryland