Director of Event Planning - Salinas, CA

Marriott International is a globally renowned hospitality company dedicated to providing exceptional guest experiences through its portfolio of distinguished hotel brands. Among these, the Monterey Marriott stands out as a luxurious destination nestled in Monterey, California, offering premium accommodations, extensive event spaces, and world-class services to travelers and event planners alike. The Monterey Marriott features 87,946 square feet of versatile event space designed to accommodate a variety of gatherings, from intimate meetings to grand conferences and celebrations. The hotel's commitment to excellence is reflected in its focus on delivering seamless hospitality, combining comfort, sophistication, and innovative amenities to ensure every guest's needs are met with care and precision.

The position available at the Monterey Marriott is a full-time Event Management role at the management level, with an annual salary range of $90,000 to $120,000 and eligibility for bonuses. This role is built around overseeing the event planning team, which includes Senior Event Managers, Event Managers, Associate Event Managers, and Administrative Assistants. The successful candidate will manage the entire event planning operations daily, ensuring that every phase of the event process—from pre-event coordination to post-event wrap-up—is executed flawlessly. This includes managing the administrative transitions between event phases and guaranteeing a smooth turnover from sales to operations and back to sales, maximizing the overall event success.

The responsibilities extend to achieving high levels of guest and employee satisfaction while managing financial performance to enhance revenue generation. This requires a keen eye for detail, strategic foresight to anticipate and troubleshoot potential conflicts or challenges, and leadership to inspire and guide the event planning team towards excellence. The candidate will be tasked with managing complex or high-profile groups, maintaining customer budgets, overseeing inventory to optimize satisfaction and revenue, and leading crucial conversations about event complexity to prevent service disruptions.

The role also emphasizes exceptional customer service, including reviewing guest feedback, handling complaints effectively, and continuously improving service delivery by empowering employees to exceed guest expectations. Additionally, the candidate will play a significant role in the development and execution of sales and marketing strategies by nurturing relationships with external vendors, setting pricing and service agreements, and consulting with clients to tailor events to their unique objectives.

From a leadership standpoint, the position involves championing the standards, policies, and procedures of the event planning team, leading team meetings, managing training programs to enhance employee knowledge and service skills, and ensuring proper staffing levels to meet guest demands consistently. Safety training and emergency procedures are also critical components of the role, ensuring that all staff are prepared and that operation continuity is maintained.

Marriott International prides itself on fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment that values each associate's background and talents. This role offers an excellent opportunity to join a world-class hospitality leader known for its culture of innovation, employee development, and commitment to guest satisfaction. Working at Monterey Marriott allows candidates to contribute to a legacy of wonderful hospitality, uphold the JW Marriott brand standards, and enjoy a supportive, dynamic workplace that encourages professional growth and personal well-being.

As part of the luxury portfolio within Marriott International, the JW Marriott properties provide a unique working atmosphere that balances high-end service with a caring, associate-first approach commonly referred to as The JW Treatment. Joining this team means becoming part of a global community dedicated to being the best version of themselves while delivering unforgettable experiences to guests worldwide.