Senior Event Planning Manager

Encinitas, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $70,400.00 - $88,600.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Day Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Professional development opportunities

Paid holidays

Job Description

Alila Marea Beach Resort is a premier luxury resort located in Encinitas, California, known for its exceptional service, stunning coastal views, and sophisticated amenities. This upscale resort offers guests a unique blend of tranquility and stylish comfort, making it an ideal destination for both leisure and business travelers. With a strong commitment to delivering impeccable guest experiences, Alila Marea Beach Resort sets the standard for luxury hospitality in the area. The resort provides an enriching, vibrant atmosphere where guests can enjoy world-class dining, rejuvenating spa experiences, and seamless event hosting capabilities. The resort’s dedication to excellence and luxury positioning makes it a top choice for hosting corporate groups, executive retreats, incentive programs, weddings, and social events.

The Senior Event Planning Manager role at Alila Marea Beach Resort is an exciting opportunity for an experienced events professional who is motivated to grow within the hospitality industry. This on-site position is responsible for serving as the lead planning contact for corporate groups, meetings, retreats, incentive programs, and other group programs that are contracted by the Group Sales team. The Senior Event Planning Manager takes charge of all the meticulous planning and detailing required once group business is turned over from Sales. Key responsibilities include managing client communication, coordinating program logistics, preparing banquet event orders and resumes, creating timelines, ensuring smooth internal coordination, managing billing details, and overseeing operational execution.

This role offers the unique chance to work closely with various departments including Banquets, Culinary, Audio Visual, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, Spa, Valet, and Finance to ensure every aspect of group events is flawlessly executed. Additionally, the Senior Event Planning Manager supports social events and weddings occasionally to back up colleagues during their leave or time off. Beyond managing events, this position is geared towards professional growth and development; it is ideal for someone aspiring to advance into an Associate Director of Events role. The Senior Event Planning Manager will collaborate closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing to gain valuable experience in event forecasting, revenue strategy, labor planning, and leadership within the events department. Over time, the individual will assume ownership of forecasting responsibilities for the Events team, playing a pivotal role in the department’s ongoing growth and success.

This role does not include direct team management but involves supporting the growth and development of the Event Planning Manager and Event Coordinator by sharing best practices, mentoring, providing guidance, and helping prepare them for future career advancements. The Senior Event Planning Manager embodies the luxury service standards of Alila Marea Beach Resort and is a key ambassador in delivering exceptional event experiences from start to finish. The salary range for this position is $70,400 to $88,600, with compensation determined by experience, qualifications, and education.

Job Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of event planning or related experience
Strong knowledge of banquet event orders, group resumes, and event logistics
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and event management software
Ability to work on-site at Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, California
Willingness to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Job Qualifications

Minimum of 3-5 years of event planning, conference services, group services, or luxury hospitality experience preferred
Experience in a luxury resort, lifestyle hotel, or full-service hotel environment strongly preferred
Strong background in planning corporate meetings, executive retreats, incentive programs, group programs, and multi-day events
Strong knowledge of event operations, banquet service, food and beverage, room blocks, group resumes, banquet event orders, diagrams, and billing procedures
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple complex group programs and deadlines simultaneously
Professional presence and ability to work directly with corporate clients, executives, third-party planners, destination management companies, and VIP guests
Ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced, high-touch environment
Proficiency with hotel event systems, CRM platforms, Microsoft Office, diagramming tools, and related business applications
Interest in growing into a department leadership role, including future advancement toward Associate Director of Events
Interest in mentoring and supporting the growth of other event professionals, even without direct management responsibility
Ability to work fully on-site at Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, California
Flexible schedule with the ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require

Job Duties

Serve as the lead planning contact for corporate groups, meetings, retreats, incentive programs, and group programs contracted by the Group Sales team
Manage all planning and detailing responsibilities after contract turnover, ensuring a seamless transition from Sales to Event Planning and Operations
Lead client planning communication, including planning calls, site visits, pre-conference meetings, timelines, agendas, and final program reviews
Prepare, review, and distribute accurate banquet event orders, group resumes, diagrams, timelines, and internal planning documents
Coordinate all program logistics, including meeting room sets, food and beverage, audio visual needs, transportation timing, VIP arrangements, billing instructions, amenities, special requests, and operational requirements
Partner closely with Group Sales, Banquets, Culinary, Audio Visual, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, Spa, Valet, Finance, and other operating departments to ensure successful group execution
Review contract terms, food and beverage minimums, room block details, deposits, cancellation terms, attrition, billing instructions, and program requirements
Identify opportunities to upsell food and beverage, meeting enhancements, wellness experiences, spa services, resort activities, and other ancillary revenue
Ensure all client expectations and program details are clearly documented and communicated to internal teams
Monitor planning deadlines, deposits, guarantees, menu selections, program changes, and final details
Attend and support assigned programs as needed, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on group activity
Resolve client questions or concerns promptly and professionally throughout the planning process and on-site execution
Maintain accurate event documentation in Hyatt systems and property files
Support post-event communication, final billing review, client feedback, and program recaps
Work closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing to learn forecasting, event revenue strategy, pacing, and department reporting
Eventually take ownership of forecasting for the Events team, including tracking definite business, tentative business, event revenue, food and beverage contribution, and other key performance indicators
Support the growth and development of the Event Planning Manager and Event Coordinator by providing guidance, sharing best practices, and helping strengthen their skills in planning, client communication, operations, and event sales
Assist in preparing the Event Planning Manager and Event Coordinator for their next stage of career growth within event planning, event sales, and hospitality leadership
Support department leadership initiatives and help foster a collaborative, high-performing Events team culture
As needed, may assist with social events and weddings to support colleagues during PTO or leave
this support is occasional and not part of a directly assigned event portfolio
Uphold the service standards and luxury positioning of Alila Marea Beach Resort