Convention Services Manager

Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel The Omni Ft. Lauderdale Hotel is a 29-story hotel, located at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, and connected directly to the Broward County Convention. The property offers 801 guest rooms and suites, multiple restaurants, a vibrant rooftop bar, a sprawling pool, spa, and fitness center. The hotel has over 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom, junior ballroom, 25 breakout rooms and pre-function meeting space with waterfront views. SUMMARY: We are looking for an experienced Convention Services Manger to be responsible for enforcing the terms of sales and contracts and guiding meeting planners through the planning process. The manager will serve as the liaison between the meeting planner/client and the hotel, ensuring that all information has been communicated correctly. This position details and convention services events at the hotel and is eligible for the Omni Sales Incentive Plan. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Negotiate with customer through the use of creative and attractive menu presentations and event proposals to achieve both maximum revenue/profit potential and fulfillment of contractual responsibilities. Obtain all event-related information (to include, but not limited to meeting specifications, audio visual, rooming list, food and beverage requirements, forecasting food and beverage revenue at least 60 days in advance of program arrival). Drive function space optimization/maximization, to ensure best utilization of space for guest experience and financial performance of hotel. Produce and distribute accurate and clear group resumes, banquet event orders and diagrams etc. to all operating departments in a timely manner. Yield sleeping room block and function space accurately and calculate all applicable attrition with accounting. Initiate/follow up on billing procedures, ensuring deposits and/or credit applications are received within acceptable time frames. Conduct pre-convention and post-convention meetings with customers and pertinent departments to confirm all relevant details are communicated. Conduct any/all planning site inspections as required. During convention, will ensure the meeting arrangements are to the meeting planner’s specifications. Ensures all on-site changes are managed efficiently. Available to meeting planner during convention through phone, email, and in person in order to trouble shoot any questions that arise. Establish and maintain rapport with customers, prior to, during and post-convention, exceeding their expectations and encouraging repeat business. Attend all necessary meetings within hotel that affect/are affected by the Convention Services Department. (Daily standup, Hotel standup, BEO, Resume Review as needed, Guest Room Pickup, etc) Find solutions to the inevitable challenges that arise while the convention or event is on property and represents the hotel in a professional manner. Mentor and develop administrative staff and management staff for future growth as assigned. Responsible for accurately forecasting all food and beverage events, on a monthly and yearly basis. Assist in forecasting guestroom revenue along with the Group Housing Coordinator. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Act as a liaison between groups and hotel. Utilize hotel staff through the issuance of Banquet Event Orders and Resume to insure the group’s successful stay. QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have 3+ years’ experience as a Convention Services Manager at a similar sized and type of hotel or hotel, with managing large groups, events [holiday parties, galas, social events], and conventions with size ranges of 2-500+ guests in attendance. Expert in time managementExpert in front-facing customer service skills, such as patience and professionalismStrong food and beverage knowledge as it relates to large scale events.Expert in guiding customers with event setups and diagrams of all event types. Strong knowledge and experience with events containing large, outsourced exhibits, drayage, and production companiesDemonstrated success in managing a wide range of complex events, including weddings, holiday parties, social parties, food shows, professional teams, government delegations, large-scale exhibits, and specialized group functions.Ability to focus attention