Assistant Groups & Events Manager

Responsibility for assisting the concentrated sales efforts of the Groups and Events Sales Team and to extend that assistance to other professional sales team members when requested.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Groups and Events in the Management of the Department especially in the absence of the Director of Groups and Events.
• Attend meetings and client events in the absence of and / or instead of the Director of Groups and Events.
• Direct receipt, qualification and coordination of event & group requests (incl. leads, RFPs, etc.) defined by her/his direct supervisor.
• Handle requests according to the relevant standards within a maximum of five (business) hours of its receipt.
• Apply the Kempinski MICE SOP’s from Group Enquiry to Contracting.
• Ensure the ideal and most effective utilization of the Meeting and Conference Rooms.
• Carry out site inspections with potential MICE clients in coordination with the Field Sales department.
• Realize up sell possibilities to meet and surpass Group & Event budget goals.
• Thoroughly input, supervise and maintain the requests in the Opera S&C System according to the data input standards.
• Create activities to ensure ongoing maintenance of bookings.
• Generate proper proposals and contracts.
• Follow up on sent out proposals within 24 hours (1 working day) to ensure the client has received the information and to clarify possible questions and issues.
• Handle the enquiries until conversion to definite bookings including negotiation, contracting, and site inspection before handing over to the Event Manager (or to the Groups & Events Coordinator).
• Ensure a proper handover of the converted business to the Event Manager / Groups & Events Coordinator with all relevant information forwarded.
• Introduce the Event Manager / Groups & Events Coordinator to the client.
• Conduct Exit Interviews with important customer after their event – asking for future business.
• Cross-sell to other hotels within the Kempinski Group (and GHA).
• Regular competition checks.
• Review monthly results and forecasts to recommend and execute activities required to ensure the hotel increases the market share and maximizes its revenue.
• Properly maintain LOS/CAN and UNC business.
• Further administrative tasks and other possible assigned duties.
• Perform any other duties as assigned to them by management.

Skills

EXPERIENCE:

Previous experience of minimum two (2) years in luxury hotels is required. Previous experience in Groups & Events management, Reservations or Sales preferred.

COMPETENCIES:

To fill this position the candidate must have:

• Strong leadership and analytical skills
• Ability to quickly adapt to a constantly changing market with a revenue positive effect
• Be proactive in achieving Event & Group revenue goals
• Relevant experience in Event & Group management. Hotel Operations experience a plus
• Analytical approach to problem solving and demonstrated ability to “think out-side of the box”