Conference Service Manager

Hotel Per LA, is seeking a Conference Services Manager for our independent, luxury lifestyle property located in Downtown Los Angeles.

Sage Hospitality Group company, is currently seeking a passionate, enthusiastic and purpose driven manager to deliver artful hospitality at luxury lifestyle flagship hotel and restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles.

The hotel is an independent, luxury lifestyle property located in DTLA. The property is housed in a gorgeously restored historic building and a quick walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art, Disney Concert Hall and Grand Central Market. With stunning design details, including many hidden corners for guests to explore, the property showcases the glamor of LA without losing sight of its playful side.

The hotel’s public areas will serve as ‘the locals’ living room’ and be popular with local creatives, as well as guests seeking access to the city’s cultural institutions, the buzzing culinary scene or the city’s arena. The property features chic guestrooms with a vintage feel and custom furniture; an exciting new restaurant concept - Per L'Ora, a café - Cafe Ora and downtown LA’s most stunning rooftop pool terrace and lounge- Bar Clara.

Plan, organize and manage the in house details for large group and convention booking (e.g. Guest rooms, menus, set-up, etc.) Participate in negotiating meetings/functions, rooms, rates and all related requirements. Ensure maximization of room and meeting space, revenues, and profits while delivering a quality product. Focus on execution of all aspects of event planning including coordination from the signing of a group contract forward, VIP needs, amenities, group resumes, and rooming lists.

• Responsible for the management and planning of meetings/conventions and related activities.
• Attends Banquet Event Order (BEO) and staff meetings and perform as a team leader for all hotel department staff participating in the event delivery process.
• Achieve a minimum of 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals, as established by management.
• Coordination of all group business as developed by the sales manager. Contact and appropriately follow-up on all signed/contracted business within 5 working days. Determination and coordination of all event planning needs.
• Maintain well documented, accurate, organized and up to date file management in order to serve client and the employer in the most expedient, organized and knowledgeable manner.
• Develop customer profiles and maintains an effective trace system including trace dates and references resulting in superior account service and increased revenues.
• Develops strong customer relationships through appropriate client communication and the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Follow up on all client needs and inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
• Focuses on revenue-generating activity and maximizes selling time through retaining accounts/clients, maximizing account yield opportunities and sales effectiveness.
• Detail, up-sell and detail the program with the client including; verification and modification of space requirements, audio-visual, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc. Prepare the appropriate resumes and paperwork to ensure quality service.
• Manage function details and related activities to ensure that program requirements are satisfied. Anticipate and handle customer complaints and/or problems to ensure quality product delivery, customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Oversees all billing details for hotel groups to include processing of deposits, direct bill applications, credit card authorizations and coordination with accounting.
• Improve hotel convention services' products through; (a) participate in the development of new sales tools and systems, (b) participate in the analysis of the strengths and weakness of our competitions product, and (c) analysis, understanding, and satisfaction of our customers’ needs.
• Monitor and control individual client event budgets and details to maximize revenues and minimize expenses while ensuring delivery of a quality product.
• Attend and lead pre conference meetings as needed. Coordinate the pre-con between the client and hotel staff and review the details of the BEO with all parties.
• Close out all groups to include pickup in sales system (Delphi) and commission owed, including processing with accounting.

Education/Formal Training

More than two years of post high school education.

Experience

One to two full years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).

Knowledge/Skills

• Requires a working knowledge of banquet/catering food and beverage services, policies or operations.
• Requires knowledge of computer equipment.
• Requires compiling facts and figures in accordance with established procedures.
• Supervisory skills needed.
• Communication skills required to provide information and associated services to hotel management and guests.
• Excellent hearing necessary for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision necessary to view set-ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying tables, chairs, boxes (50 lb. maximum) occasionally.
• Bending/kneeling required for taping down cords, skirting tables, picking up floor after function occasionally.
• Mobility - ability to service clients on a moment notice, variable distances.
• Continuous standing required for function observation, client site inspections (one hour minimum to four hours maximum). Climbing stairs of approximately 55 steps 3-5% of 10 hours daily.

Environment

Inside 95% of 10 hour day.  Outside 5% of 10 hour day. Temperatures - extreme summer heat of 95 degrees and above, and winter cold.

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance

• Health savings and flexible spending accounts

• Basic Life and AD&D insurance

• Company-paid short-term disability

• Paid time off for vacation, sick time, and holidays

• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching

• Employee assistance program

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Eligible for a discretionary bonus 

• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

• Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral