Event Manager

Create moments of joy that truly matter.

Exuding sleek sophistication and full of Zen-like energy, Shangri-La Vancouver is your urban sanctuary nestled between the mountains and the sea and located within the core of a vibrant metropolis. Occupying 15 floors of the tallest building in Vancouver, the hotel sits at the heart of the city's most popular downtown areas. With a lustrous balance of tranquil surroundings coupled with inspirational design, Shangri-La Vancouver hosts people to the colourful joys of life. Shangri-La Vancouver has been awarded the Forbes Five-Star designation and the AAA Five Diamond honour; one of only four hotels in Canada to hold both acclaimed ratings.

Inspired by our Asian heritage, we obsess over the guest experience and seek to deliver hospitality from the heart. Our Colleagues are our unique strength. We seek to hire and develop charismatic, dedicated, and passionate individuals to make their dream career, a reality.

Join our world-class team as we pioneer new horizons. Your Shangri-La awaits

We are currently searching for an experienced Event Manager to join our salary team on a permanent basis.

Compensation: $75K - 80K (plus participation in incentive program)

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Events & Luxury Sales, the Event Manager provides total account management to achieve budgeted catering targets, with an emphasis on social events and local corporate business, working directly with key accounts to develop business for the hotel, and maintain healthy growth according to the Sales and Marketing plan. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• With high integrity, strives to provide a luxury experience to guests and colleagues
• In conjunction with the sales team, proactively develop and create catering sales strategies, then execute actions to meet or exceed sales targets
• Solicits, negotiates and books new accounts to the hotel through in person sales call, prospecting calls, networking events, entertainment and other forms of lead generation
• On a daily basis, yields meeting and event spaces to ensure optimum potential
• Welcomes prospective corporate & social clients to the venue to conduct site tours, using innovative suggestions to ensure their visions and deciding factors
• Focuses on meeting room rental, food and beverage revenues / upselling, working directly with Sales Managers to maximize revenue opportunities which may sometimes result in displacing catering only business and assist Sales Managers in booking group catering needs, finalizing details including rooming lists, menus as required
• Work alongside Group Sales Manager and provide conference services to groups with catering by reviewing group turnover checklist, managing rooming lists, transportation, cut-off dates, deposits/final payments and conducting pre-conference meetings to ensure key operational departments are fully prepared to exceed guest expectation.
• Consistently update Delphi revenues to reflect accurate forecasting for weekly reports
• Create and distribute clear, accurate and concise Banquet Event Orders and floorplans that convey client needs with extreme attention to detail, resulting in total client satisfaction
• Meet with clients prior to event start to reconfirm final attendance, meal schedule and other last-minute requirements, if any, communicating changes to other departments, as required
• Through personal presence, oversee catering events in the hotel, ensure all events are reflected accurately on function boards, set-up on time, completed in accordance with BEO's and attend to last minute requests for changes or additional requirements
• Ensure all meeting and event clients are provided with a point of contact for all inquiries and needs during events, in a most courteous, friendly and efficient manner
• Ensure the proper handling, receipt, distribution and safe keeping of all guests' materials for functions and ensure all left-behind materials are either collected by the organizer or delivered back to the local office via dispatch or courier.
• Work collaboratively with the culinary team to develop creative, innovative catering menus appropriate for SLV clientele
• Identify competitive business trends with the ability to develop and evolve ideas, approaches, and relationships
• Cultivates strong working relationships with all stakeholders
• Ensure compliance to all hotel policies, standards, and core practices
• Utilize effective Customer Relationship Management techniques i.e. Delphi and other initiatives to build and maintain relationships both active and potential clientele
• Undertake other ad hoc related responsibilities, as required

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR THIS ROLE:

• Sales Competence - Demonstrates sound understanding for the local catering, social, and corporate meeting market, uses effective sales strategies for respective market segment, vast knowledge of the core competition and luxury hotel banquet standards
• Results driven - Self motivated, high initiative, reliable self-starter with a passion for the hospitality industry, and strives to continually overachieve catering sales goals that owns and drives their success

• Creative - Demonstrates a high degree of creativity and interest in food and wine, working directly with clients on menu planning, event planning, while maximizing revenues for the hotel
• Relationship & Impression Management - Outstanding abilities to build and maintain relationships and demonstrated ability to make a naturally positive, lasting impression
• Detailed oriented -Highly organized, superior time management skills, exceptional attention to detail particularly with BEO's
• Goal oriented and Organizational skills- Strong business acumen, able to plan, set and achieve goals on a continual basis, demonstrating superior organizational and time management skills
• Ethical conduct and responsibility - Sets a positive example and fulfills responsibilities with the highest integrity, ethics and professionalism

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous experience in events sales and/or servicing within the local market is preferred
• Previous experience within another luxury hotel brand would be an asset
• Event Managers must hold valid Serving it Right Certification - as they will prepare contracts that authorize the sale and service of alcohol
• Experience with Delphi (Salesforce) and Opera Property Management System, is an asset
• Previous experience in a similar capacity within a luxury hotel brand is an asset
• Excellent organizational skills with a high attention to detail is required
• Motivational management style with a genuine interest in service excellence is required

SHANGRI-LA VANCOUVER COLLEAGUE PRIVILEGES

…we enable people to live, work, play, eat, and rest well through the environments we create and the memorable experiences we deliver Our Colleagues have access to the following:

• Adventure to 100+ Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts with Colleague Travel Discounts
• Experience our renowned food & beverage with a special Colleague Discount
• Pamper yourself with discounted wellness journeys and luxury products from CHI the Spa
• Enjoy exclusive access to discounted theatre, cinema, and retailers through our partner programs.
• Indulge in specialty pricing on luxurious pillowtop beds and linens through our partner programs.
• Connect your event leads or employee referrals and earn a special Colleague bonus
• Connect with your fellow Colleagues in recognition events throughout the year, celebrating as a team.
• Pursue your own ongoing development through our education reimbursement program
• Secure your vehicle conveniently with access to heavily discounted monthly paid parking
• Eligible Colleagues are eligible to receive a discount on their monthly transit pass.
• Eligible Colleagues and their families participate in our benefits program, which includes comprehensive health, dental and vision care benefits.
• Eligible Colleagues can build retirement savings with employer support contributions.

ABOUT SHANGRI-LA HOTELS AND RESORTS

• Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has been established in luxury since 1971, with locations in North America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, and Africa.
• Sister brands include Traders Hotels, Kerry Hotels, and JEN Hotels. Further, the Shangri-La Group holds a diverse portfolio of commercial properties, residences, services, and clubs.
• CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, which describes a unique place of personal peace, enchantment, and well-being. This is a luxurious sanctuary where holistic treatments based on time-honoured methods shared by many Asian cultures bring total relaxation and a feeling of well-being.

Shangri-La Vancouver is committed to fostering a workplace that both promotes and places sincere value on diversity and inclusion. We are committed to maintaining a rich tapestry of talent from across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and life experience.