Director of Event Planning - Cleveland, OH

Our company is a premier hospitality establishment specializing in delivering exceptional event planning and guest services within a vibrant commercial hospitality setting. We pride ourselves on creating memorable experiences for our clients by offering a seamless integration of sales, event planning, and operational excellence. As a full-time, exempt onsite position, the Director of Event Planning plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success and flawless execution of all hosted events, from conception to completion. This leadership role requires a dedicated professional who excels at managing staff, optimizing revenue, and driving customer satisfaction at every phase of the event lifecycle.

The Director of Event Planning is responsible for managing daily event planning functions and supervising a team of event planning staff. This leadership position encompasses overseeing the entire event planning team while maintaining close collaboration with sales and operations teams to guarantee seamless transitions and exceptional service delivery. Besides direct management, the Director drives the financial performance of the department through strategic upselling, careful budgeting, and accurate forecasting of catering and group room revenue.

This role includes assigning events to the planning team, coordinating function space allocation, managing group room blocks, and leading weekly event management meetings to proactively address potential challenges. The Director will personally oversee complex or high-profile events and will lead the development of catering menus, ensuring they meet client expectations and contribute positively to revenue goals. They will also play a critical role in upholding safety and emergency procedures across the department, ensuring all team members are trained and prepared.

Customer service is at the heart of this position, with an emphasis on consistently gathering and analyzing guest feedback to implement actionable improvement plans. The Director will engage directly with guests to resolve any concerns, fostering a positive and welcoming environment. Empowering employees to deliver outstanding service and providing ongoing training and coaching is essential to maintaining high standards.

In addition to guest relations, the Director of Event Planning cultivates strong vendor partnerships to enhance event quality and secure favorable pricing and service agreements. The ability to negotiate, communicate effectively, and build lasting relationships will contribute to the overall success of the events and profitability of the department.

This position requires a high school diploma as a minimum, with preference given to candidates holding a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business, or related fields. Candidates must bring at least four years of progressive experience in event planning or hospitality, coupled with strong communication skills, a customer service orientation, and keen attention to detail. Physical demands include occasional lifting of up to 80 pounds, working indoors and outdoors, and the ability to work varied shifts including evenings and weekends to support business needs.

In summary, the Director of Event Planning is a dynamic leader responsible for orchestrating flawless events that exceed guest expectations while driving commercial success. This role demands operational expertise, strategic insight, and exceptional interpersonal skills to lead the event planning team and nurture lasting client and vendor relationships in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred degree in hotel and restaurant management, hospitality, or business
• Minimum 4 years of progressive event planning experience
• Knowledge of accounting systems preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong customer service orientation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

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