Sr. Convention Services Manager

The Senior Convention Services Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, and successful execution of complex conferences, conventions, meetings, and group programs at The Potomac Hotel.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary hotel contact for assigned convention and group clients from turnover by Sales through planning, on-site execution, departure, and post-event follow-up; Manage complex, high-profile, and large-scale conferences, conventions, meetings, and group programs; Develop strong relationships with meeting planners and key client contacts; Coordinate all aspects of assigned programs, including guest rooms, meeting and function space, food and beverage, audiovisual requirements, transportation, amenities, VIP arrangements, exhibits, signage, security needs, special requests, and other program components; Prepare, review, and distribute accurate and comprehensive Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), group resumes, event schedules, diagrams, and other documentation; Monitor guest room blocks, rooming lists, pickup, cut-off dates, attrition considerations, VIP requirements, and other group-room details; Lead or actively participate in BEO meetings, resume meetings, pre-convention meetings, post-convention meetings, and other operational planning sessions; Partner closely with Banquets, Culinary, Stewarding, Front Office, Reservations, Housekeeping, Engineering, Audio Visual, Security, Accounting, Sales, and other departments; Maintain a visible presence during critical periods of assigned programs; Identify and present appropriate opportunities to enhance the client's program while generating incremental hotel revenue; Serve as a senior resource within the Convention Services team

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of progressive hotel leadership experience; Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex programs and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment; Strong working knowledge of hotel event operations, including Banquet Event Orders, group resumes, meeting-room configurations, food and beverage, guest room blocks, and event billing; Strong understanding of group contracts and ability to recognize operational and financial implications of client requests and program changes; Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with sophisticated meeting planners and high-profile clients; Strong business acumen with ability to identify appropriate revenue-enhancement opportunities while maintaining integrity of the client relationship; Exceptional organizational, planning, and attention-to-detail skills; Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills; Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with ability to remain composed and effective during high-pressure situations; Ability to influence and coordinate across departments without direct supervisory authority; Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and general business technology; Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by convention and event schedules

Nice to have

Convention services, conference services, event management, catering, or related experience; Previous experience in a role specifically designated as a senior leader in convention, catering, and conference fields; Previous experience managing complex conventions, conferences, or large-scale group programs in an upscale, luxury, full-service, or convention hotel; Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Event Management, or a related field; Experience with Marriott CI/TY or a comparable sales, catering, or event-management system; Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation