Event Executive

**Job Summary**

Here is your opportunity to establish yourself within your Events career and what better way to do it than with the largest hotel company in the world The Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County sales team offers you the experience to work in a groups and events hotel with 150 bedrooms and 5 unique events spaces. The group and event space allows you the opportunity to be coordinating enquiries such as sporting events, residential conferences, small meetings and social events up to 120 people. Additional perks with the position include a bonus scheme, free car-parking, free staff meals and future development opportunities within cluster hotels / Marriott portfolio.

This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic, fast paced team that works with an array of groups and events. The Event Executive:

- Is responsible for incoming enquiries, from conversion through to seamless transition to operations for event execution and back to sales.
- Provides excellent customer service through every element of the event or group enquiry, utilizing strong selling skills.
- Prepares all group and event documentation and coordinates with all relevant hotel departments and the customer to ensure consistent, high level service through pre -event, during event and post event.
- Recognizes opportunities to maximize revenue, conversion, and drive repeat business.
- Takes personal responsibility to adhere to sales and event brand standards for enquiry handling, event planning, pre & post-event.

**Experience**
- Background in customer service role, sales, event management ideally within a hotel environment **preferred**
**Skills and Knowledge**
- Effective sales skills preferred
- Knowledge of meetings & event management
- Effective communication (verbal, listening, writing) and negotiation skills
- Strong customer development and relationship management skills
- Strong organization skills
- Knowledge of contract management and legalities
- Knowledge of menu planning, food presentation and banquet and event service operations
- Knowledge of event technology products and services
- Knowledge of current trends in event management and event technology
- Knowledge of overall hotel operations as they affect department
- Ability to execute against an agreed event and group strategy
- Strong problem-solving skills; encourages new innovative solutions when appropriate
- Effective influence skills
- Effective decision-making skills
**Education or Certification**
- High school GCSE’s or equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
**Specific Duties**
- Ownership for the management and conversion of assigned enquiries
- Coordination of all customer requirements, including communication and completing verbally and in writing with the customer the details of an event and or group up to handover to operations on the day of event execution.
- Correct use of systems process to ensure booking integrity, consistency & accuracy.
- Sells to a pre-determined event and group strategy
- Works within brand standards & systems processes
- Generate incremental revenue and deliver excellent guest service.
- Effectively manages bedrooms blocks and meeting space inventory for assigned groups
- Conducts compelling show rounds to win the business
- Proactively resolicits previous customers and event and group bookers for future opportunities
**Guest Satisfaction**
- Sets a positive example for guest relations.
- Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels. Effectively responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
- Provides excellent customer service. Ensures all associates involved in and group and event or booking understand expectations and parameters.
- Conducts pre
- and post-event meetings as required to review/communicate group needs and feedback.
- Actively solicits feedback from the hotel departments to identify areas for improvement to enhance the Event Planner’s experience.
- Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
**Sales and Revenue Management**
- Delivers a compelling sales experience to drive conversion and repeat business
- Provides appropriate feedback to overcome obstacles to selling, including pricing, inventory availability and event and group execution
- Effectively up sells products and services throughout the event and group room process.
- Participates in customer site inspections and assists with the sales process when necessary.
- Effectively manages customer budgets to maximize revenue and meet customer needs.
- Accurately forecasts group sleeping rooms and event revenue (catering and audio-visual) for his/her groups.
**Other**
- Performs other duties as assigned to meet business needs.
- Performs other related tasks as assigned by management.
- Complies with Marriott International Hotels Limited Regional Office policies and procedures.
- Working hours as required to do your job but normally not less than 39 h