Event and Conference Services Manager

Summary

Great events don’t happen by accident. They come together through strong leadership, sharp organization, thoughtful service and a team that knows how to anticipate what clients need before they ask. We are seeking an experienced Event & Conference Services Manager to lead the events function within a respected full-service waterfront hotel in Victoria. This role oversees a talented team of event professionals and plays a key part in delivering conferences, meetings, corporate functions and social events that are both memorable for guests and commercially successful for the hotel.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape how events are planned, sold and executed, while working closely with Sales, Culinary, Food & Beverage and hotel operations. The mandate includes team leadership, client relationship management, revenue growth, service standards, process improvement and the development of new event offerings. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the business, leading from the front and creating an event operation that is polished, responsive and consistently delivers.

Responsibilities

Description

• Lead the day-to-day Event & Conference Services function and provide direction, coaching and support to a team of three event professionals.

• Oversee the planning, coordination and servicing of conferences, meetings, corporate events, social functions and high-profile group bookings.

• Develop a highly engaged, guest-focused Events team through training, coaching, clear expectations and ongoing development.

• Partner closely with Sales & Marketing, Culinary, Food & Beverage and hotel operations to ensure exceptional communication and flawless event delivery.

• Review confirmed group and event business and allocate files across the Events team based on scope, complexity and workload.

• Manage key accounts and significant events personally from handover through execution.

• Ensure event details, timelines, requirements and changes are communicated accurately and efficiently across the hotel.

• Continuously strengthen service standards, selling techniques and product knowledge to elevate the client experience.

• Identify opportunities to enhance event packages, services and experiences for meeting planners, corporate groups and social clients.

• Drive incremental revenue through thoughtful upselling of food and beverage, meeting services and ancillary offerings.

• Develop and maintain banquet forecasts, budgets, activity reports and other departmental performance reporting.

• Support function-space yield management, balancing guest requirements with occupancy and revenue optimization.

• Maintain accurate event information within the hotel’s property and event management systems.

• Coordinate external suppliers including audiovisual partners, rental companies, décor providers and other event vendors.

• Ensure deposits, prepayments, credit procedures and event-related accounting processes are completed accurately.

• Lead and participate in pre-convention meetings, revenue meetings, Food & Beverage meetings and other operational discussions.

• Contribute to strategic planning by bringing forward market trends, guest feedback and ideas that strengthen the hotel’s events business.

• Maintain strong, collaborative relationships across the property and contribute positively to the broader leadership team.

Requirements

Requirements

• 3–5+ years of progressive hotel event, conference or catering management experience.

• Previous experience leading, coaching and developing a team.

• Strong understanding of the complete event lifecycle, from planning and contracting through execution and post-event follow-up.

• Commercial mindset with an understanding of catering revenue management, upselling and function-space optimization.

• Strong client relationship skills and confidence managing complex or high-profile events.

• Exceptional organization, planning and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.

• Calm, polished and solutions-oriented approach in a fast-moving hospitality environment.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.

• Comfortable working with budgets, forecasts and operational reporting.

• Experience with hotel property management or event management systems. OPERA experience is strongly preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Experience with event diagramming or planning platforms such as Social Tables is an asset.

• Hospitality Management, Business or related post-secondary education is an asset.

• Certified Meeting Professional designation or related professional certification is an asset.

• Flexibility to work outside regular business hours when events or business requirements demand it.