Director-Event Planning

The Westin Seattle is a distinguished hotel located in the heart of Seattle, Washington. As part of Marriott International, a leading global hospitality company, The Westin Seattle offers guests a premium experience characterized by comfort, wellness, and exceptional service. The property is renowned for its commitment to well-being and its mission to be the preeminent wellness brand in hospitality, which it achieves by fostering an environment that empowers both guests and associates to maintain and enhance their well-being. The hotel features a wide range of amenities and services tailored to meet the needs of business travelers, tourists, and event attendees, with a particular focus on delivering outstanding hospitality that reflects the brand's core values of optimism, passion, and adventure.

This position is for a full-time Event Management professional serving in a management capacity at The Westin Seattle. The salary range for this role is $104,000 to $138,000 annually, with eligibility for bonuses. The role centers on managing the event planning operations and leading a team responsible for a variety of events including meetings, conferences, conventions, and social gatherings. The Event Management team comprises Senior Event Managers, Event Managers, Associate Event Managers, and Administrative Assistants. As the manager, you will oversee the daily functions of the team, ensuring seamless transitions between the sales and operations departments, and between all phases of each event from pre-event preparation to post-event completion.

Responsibilities involve maximizing revenue opportunities by upselling catering and group room blocks, managing budgets, maintaining inventories to optimize customer satisfaction, and working closely with high-profile and complex groups to ensure financial targets are met. You will be a key player in executing the Event Management strategy, troubleshooting potential challenges, and maintaining open lines of communication within the property regarding all events that impact operations. A significant aspect of the role also involves leading development processes such as catering menu creation and championing standards, policies, and procedures with the event team.

In addition to managing operations, the role demands a strong focus on customer service and guest satisfaction. Reviewing guest feedback, implementing continuous improvement plans, and directly interacting with guests to handle concerns and enhance service performance are critical duties. Empowering employees and ensuring adequate training to meet and exceed guest expectations is a vital component of the leadership in this role.

The position also includes managing sales and marketing strategies to cultivate partnerships with outside vendors, establish pricing and service agreements, and generate additional revenue opportunities. Building and maintaining professional relationships with vendors and guests, consulting on event objectives and requirements, and aligning these with property goals are essential for success.

Human resources responsibilities include establishing customer service guidelines, ensuring ongoing employee training on guest expectations, monitoring service behaviors to provide feedback, and reviewing staffing levels to align with service and planning needs. This comprehensive role demands a combination of leadership, strategic planning, financial acumen, and operational expertise within the hospitality and event management sectors.

At Marriott International, inclusivity and equal opportunity are core commitments. The Westin Seattle fosters a diverse workplace where associates from all backgrounds are valued. The company provides robust benefits that contribute to the well-being of its employees, including health coverage, paid time off, retirement plans, and employee discounts. This role presents an exciting career opportunity for individuals passionate about event management, guest service, and wellness in a dynamic hotel environment.