Event Planning Manager
The Read House Hotel
Location: 107 West MLK Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Salary: Based Upon Experience
Benefits
* A Culture that Values Passion, Individuality, and Fun!
* Opportunities for Internal Growth and Development
* Paid Time Off (PTO)
* Paid Holidays
* Earned Wage Access through PayActiv
* Affordable Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Plans
* Company Provided & Voluntary Life Insurance
* Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
* Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
* Employee Assistance Program
* Tuition Assistance Program
* Traditional 401(k) & Roth 401(k) with Employer Match up to 3.5%
* Referral Bonus Program
* Access to Earned Wages
* Hotel & Restaurant Discounts at Avocet Hospitality Properties
* Employee Meal Option
* Starbucks Discount
* Garage Parking Discount
Job Overview
The Read House Sales and Catering Department is seeking an experienced Event Planning Manager to coordinate sales and catering events with a professional, proactive, and detailed approach. Chattanooga’s award‑winning historic hotel, The Read House, has been hosting guests and visitors since 1872. Start a new career journey with classic elegance at The Read House Hotel.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
* Create detailed Banquet Event Orders to meet the specifications of the client, manage room blocks, food and beverage requirements, meeting room setups, billing, and other additional needs of the client.
* Communicate and enforce contractual agreements to the client pertaining to meeting space, food and beverage, special concessions and collection of attrition charges owed.
* Ensure all guest checks, payments, master folios, and advanced deposits are paid timely and submitted to accounting.
* Provide accurate and concise information to all departments including facilitation in BEO and group resume meetings and relaying any changes to applicable departments with urgency and in a timely manner to facilitate a successful catering or group function.
* Collaborate with culinary operations to assist in development, design, and customization and implementation of event menus.
* Maintain proper documentation of events, changes, and/ or special requests with updated banquet event orders, group resumes, and rooming lists; including accurate and up‑to‑date information in the Delphi system.
* Organize and conduct site visits, pre‑planning visits, pre and post‑convention meetings.
* Greet all clients upon arrival and function as the on‑site contact to client and address challenges or concerns immediately.
* Maximize revenue by selling all facets of the hotel to include food and beverage outlets for upselling.
* Work in coordination with outside vendors as needed to ensure client satisfaction.
* Maintain regular and punctual on‑site attendance with the ability to work a flexible schedule which may include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays when business requires.
Education & Experience
* High school diploma or equivalent required.
* Post Graduate or Degree in relevant field preferred.
* Two to four years of related banquet, catering, event planning experience preferred.
* Experience within luxury, lifestyle or independent hotels preferred.
Skills
* Ability to prioritize and remain highly organized at work assignments.
* Excellent computer skills, such as typing and use of various computer software.
* Excellent communication skills with guests, team members, and management.
* Proficiency in restaurant POS, reservation, and/or inventory applications.
* Ability to access and accurately input information into the Property Management System (PMS).
* Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
* Ability to work well in stressful, high‑pressure situations.
* Knowledge of Delphi, including merging menus, blocking function space and creating BEO's.
* Knowledge of staffing guidelines/ requirements to set‑up, turn, and break‑down function spaces.
* Knowledgeable of top accounts and important clients of the hotel.
* Knowledgeable with legal and contractual agreements.
* Knowledge of basic hotel procedures including accounting, reservations, front office and food and beverage to act as liaison between departments and customers.
Physical & Mental Requirements
* Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift… up to 30 pounds with or without assistance.
* See clearly both near and far to detect cleanliness and discrepancies in event space.
* Hear at a basic level.
* Excellent verbal communication skills for interaction with guests required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
* Traverse work areas including the complex, guest rooms, and public areas.
* Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions.
* Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
* Ability to multitask and work effectively in a high‑demand, fast‑paced environment with changing variables.
* Ability to apply patience and understanding to all persons and situations.
* Ability to perform well under pressure to meet the needs of guests, team members and/ or management.
Work Environment
* The work environment includes high guest contact; may involve varying conditions and circumstances with guests, staff, visitors, etc.
* Inside work in an office environment.
* Ability to occasionally work varied shifts including weekends and late night events.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled and Veteran Friendly Opportunity
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