Design and Development Manager San Diego, CA

Cohera is a distinguished company based in San Diego, CA, known for its innovative approach to hospitality and event management. The company excels in creating fully customized, high-impact programs that align with client goals, budgetary constraints, and brand identity. With an emphasis on creativity, precision, and seamless execution, Cohera has established itself as a leader in the event and destination management industry. The work environment fosters high standards of integrity, client satisfaction, and team collaboration, making it an excellent place for professionals seeking growth and excellence in hospitality and event planning sectors.

This role is a full-time position offering a competitive salary range of $65,000 to $75,000 based on experience. The successful candidate will be entrusted with independently leading the entire proposal process, from its conceptualization through to delivery. This key role involves managing the various stages of proposals for customized programs, ensuring they meet client expectations and uphold Cohera's high standards of quality and creativity. The individual will handle all responsibilities encompassing ideation, narrative writing, pricing, formatting, and presentation delivery.

The position requires acute editorial skills to accurately scope and price program components, including decor, entertainment, venues, staffing, transportation, and activities. The role involves building and maintaining direct communication with sales and strategic teams throughout the pre-sale phases, conducting vendor outreach, coordinating site inspections, and managing vendor holds and logistics. Flexibility is vital as the role demands working late hours and weekends occasionally to meet project deadlines.

The person in this role will also manage vendor and tariff relationships, conducting vendor research, cost evaluation, and onboarding processes. A substantial part of the job involves updating and maintaining the company’s tariff library with newly developed services—ranging from décor to teambuilding and entertainment offerings. In addition, the position supports ECS inventory maintenance and establishes strong vendor relations to secure reliable service and transparent pricing.

Collaboration with sales and marketing teams is an integral element of the position. This includes aligning proposal content with client expectations and destination opportunities, assisting with familiarization tours and sales activations, contributing content to marketing materials, and staying current with local market trends to inspire proposals and team initiatives.

The role carries administrative and financial responsibilities that demand precision in pricing, margins, timelines, and vendor documentation. Managing internal paperwork such as invoices, payments, and reconciliations while mastering internal tools and formatting standards is essential. The candidate must proactively manage timelines and workload with minimal oversight, actively participate in client meetings, and represent the company at networking and industry events.

At Cohera, employees are expected to exemplify high-quality work behavior by working collaboratively, demonstrating initiative and creativity, and always prioritizing client satisfaction. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter capable of independent decision-making, adept at problem-solving, and willing to embrace new ideas and methods. The company values honesty, integrity, responsiveness, and constructive feedback, all aimed at fulfilling and exceeding client expectations.

Preferred candidates will bring a minimum of six years’ work experience, with at least three years in hospitality, and have experience in proposal writing, event design, creative marketing, or destination management. They should possess strong skills in client relations, budget and contract management, event design, pricing, formatting, and storytelling. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Canva, excellent organizational and communication skills, and knowledge of local destinations are also crucial.

Benefits include competitive salary, incentive eligibility, comprehensive health benefits, discretionary paid time off, employer-matched 401(k) plans, company-paid disability and life insurance, paid certification and memberships, all contributing to a supportive and rewarding work experience at Cohera.