Design and Development Manager, Orlando

Kissimmee, FL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Compensation

Salary

Range $54,600.00 - $84,400.00

Benefits

competitive salary

Incentive eligibility

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Discretionary PTO

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

401(k) with employer match

Short term disability insurance

long term disability insurance

basic life insurance

voluntary life insurance

Paid certification

Paid industry memberships

Job Description

Cohera is a distinguished destination management company formed through the merger of 360 Destination Group and CSI DMC, combining decades of experience to offer exceptional event planning and management services. Known for its innovative, creative, and client-focused approach, Cohera specializes in crafting customized, unforgettable events ranging from corporate seminars to high-energy receptions. The company takes pride in delivering experiences that not only meet but exceed client expectations, ensuring every detail aligns with the client's brand identity and goals. Cohera values excellence and innovation, fostering an environment where team members are encouraged to bring their creativity and passion to every project, working collaboratively to achieve outstanding results. With a strong presence in Orlando, Cohera is seeking a Design and Development Manager to join their dynamic team.

As the Design and Development Manager at Cohera's Orlando office, you will play a pivotal role in leading the proposal process from concept through delivery for bespoke, high-impact corporate events. Your responsibilities will include creating engaging narratives, pricing and scoping comprehensive event components such as décor, entertainment, venues, and logistics, and maintaining ongoing communication with sales and strategic teams. This role demands a combination of creative storytelling, detailed budgeting, vendor management, and project coordination skills. You will be instrumental in conducting vendor outreach, coordinating site inspections, managing timelines, and ensuring seamless handoffs to event management teams. The position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary to meet project deadlines and client needs.

Joining Cohera means becoming part of a highly skilled team that thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment focused on client satisfaction and innovative solutions. The company offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience and performance-based incentives tied to program success. Employees benefit from comprehensive health insurance, including medical, vision, and dental coverage, as well as paid time off, holidays, sick leave, and a 401(k) plan with employer match. Additional benefits include company-paid short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance coverage, support for professional certifications like DMCP and CMP, and paid industry memberships.

This role is ideal for a hospitality-oriented professional with at least six years of work experience including three in hospitality, and a strong background in proposal writing, event design, or destination management. Candidates must excel in client relations, budget and contract management, and vendor relations, with advanced skills in creative storytelling and content customization. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and consistently meet deadlines is critical. Familiarity with local destination offerings and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Canva are also essential. At Cohera, you will have the opportunity to grow professionally while contributing to the delivery of exceptional events that create lasting impressions for clients.

Job Requirements

Minimum of six years work experience with a minimum of three years in hospitality
At least one year work experience in proposal writing, event design, creative marketing, or destination management
Proficiency in client relations, detailed budget management, event design, contract management, and vendor relations
Strong pricing, formatting, and creative storytelling abilities required
Advanced writing and creative storytelling skills
Ability to develop customized, client-specific content
Exceptional project management and organizational skills
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Knowledge of local destination offerings such as restaurants, clubs, festivals, tours, and venues
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Canva

Job Qualifications

Minimum of six years work experience with at least three years in hospitality
At least one year work experience in proposal writing, event design, creative marketing, or destination management
Proficiency in client relations, detailed budget management, event design, contract management, and vendor relations
Strong pricing, formatting, and creative storytelling abilities
Advanced writing and creative storytelling skills
Ability to develop customized, client-specific content
Exceptional project management and organizational skills
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Knowledge of local destination offerings such as restaurants, clubs, festivals, tours, and venues
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Canva

Job Duties

Independently lead the full proposal process from concept to delivery for custom, high-impact programs, ensuring alignment with client goals, budget, and brand identity
Own all aspects of proposal development, including ideation, narrative writing, pricing, formatting, and presentation delivery
Accurately scope and price all program components including décor, entertainment, venues, staffing, transportation, and activities using strong editorial skills
Write and adapt creative descriptions for client-facing materials such as activities/tours, venues, and restaurants, customizing standard content when necessary
Conduct initial vendor outreach to confirm availability and collect service information aligned with proposal and contract parameters
Maintain direct communication with Sales team and Strategic team throughout the pre-sale phase including discovery calls, meetings, site visits, and presentations
Maintain holds for venues and vendors during the sales process, ensuring timely release or confirmation based on program stage
Coordinate site inspections based on Sales team direction including vendor bookings and payment logistics
Proactively manage workload and role responsibilities to meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations
Attend and contribute to turnover meetings with the Event Management and Sales teams to ensure seamless handoffs and clear program documentation
Research, evaluate, and communicate with vendors to obtain accurate and cost-effective quotes
Introduce vendor vetting process and initiate onboarding through Vendor Manager
Update and maintain an organized tariff by archiving newly developed services into the company tariff library
Support ECS inventory maintenance and accuracy as directed by management
Build and sustain strong vendor relationships to ensure reliable service, pricing transparency, and innovative offerings
Align proposal content with client expectations, destination opportunities, and pricing parameters
Support familiarization tours, hotelier events, and other sales-related activations by assisting with logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site presence
Collaborate with Marketing to contribute destination-specific content, photos, and service descriptions for client-facing materials
Stay informed on new venues, experiences, and trends in the local market
Ensure accuracy in pricing, margins, timelines, and vendor documentation across proposals and internal systems such as ECS
Manage internal paperwork including deposit invoices, vendor payments, Ramp expense submissions, and reconciliation per company procedures
Maintain mastery of internal tools, formatting standards, and proposal processes
Proactively manage timelines, consistently meet internal and client due dates with minimal oversight
Join and actively participate in client meetings as needed
Attend networking and industry events based on availability
Report to local offices on designated days as determined by General Manager