Director of Event Planning
The Ritz-Carlton
Salary undisclosed
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Description
JOB SUMMARY
Manages event planning functions and staff on a daily basis. Core area of responsibility is the event planning team, including the Senior Event Managers, Event Managers, Associate Event Managers and Administrative Assistants. Position oversees the administrative processes associated with the pre-event and post-event phases of an event and the associated transitions between all event phases. Ensures a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering a high level of service. Ensures the team maximizes revenue opportunities by up-selling and accurately forecasting (catering and group rooms) all events. The position is responsible for achieving guest and employee satisfaction and for managing the financial performance of the department.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience
• High school diploma or GED; 4 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.
OR
• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; 2 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Managing Event Planning Operations
• Assigns all events turned over to Event Planning team.
• Oversees for turned opportunities’ function space and group room blocks.
• Communicates and executes departmental and property emergency procedures and ensures staff are trained in safety procedures.
• Leads execution of activities to support the Event Management strategy.
• Works with direct reports to review scheduled events and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.
• Leads discussions to review event complexity and proactively avoid service challenges and failures.
• Ensures the property is apprised of all groups that will impact property operations.
• Manages customer budgets to maximize revenue and meet customer needs.
• Maintains inventories to maximize customer satisfaction and revenue opportunities.
• Works with highly complex or high profile groups when financial impact will be significant.
Leading Event Planning Team
• Leads the catering menu development process.
• Champions all standards, policies and procedures for the Event Planning team.
• Leads Event Management meetings.
Providing and Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service
• Reviews comment cards, guest satisfaction results and other data to identify areas of improvement.
• Shares plans with property leadership and ensures corrective action is taken to continuously improve guest satisfaction.
• Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies excellent customer service and creates a positive atmosphere for guest relations.
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
• Responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
• Strives to improve service performance.
• Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service.
Managing the Sales and Marketing Strategy
• Develops working relationships with outside vendors and establishes prices and service agreements to enhance the event experience and to increase additional revenue opportunities for the property.
• Consult with customers in order to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Conducting Human Resources Activities
• Establishes customer service guidelines so employees understand expectations and parameters.
• Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations.
• Observes service behaviors of employees and provides feedback to individuals and or managers.
• Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest service and planning needs are met.
About this role
Leading the event planning operations at The Ritz-Carlton's New Orleans property means overseeing a full team of event managers and administrative staff while managing the complete lifecycle of high-profile events—from sales handoff through execution to post-event analysis. You'll be responsible for maximizing revenue through strategic upselling and accurate forecasting, managing complex client relationships, and ensuring flawless coordination across catering, group rooms, and function space. The role requires balancing guest satisfaction, employee performance, and departmental financial results while maintaining the property's service standards.
This position calls for someone with either four years of relevant experience in event management, food and beverage, sales, or hospitality, or a hospitality-focused degree plus two years of professional experience. You'll spend your time assigning events to your team, troubleshooting operational challenges before they become problems, developing catering menus, conducting performance reviews, and handling high-stakes guest interactions when needed. Success means building strong vendor relationships, training your team to deliver exceptional service, and using guest feedback to drive continuous improvement.
The role is based in-office in New Orleans and requires the judgment to know when to step in directly with complex or high-profile groups and when to empower your team to lead. If you thrive managing people, solving logistical puzzles, and driving revenue while maintaining hospitality standards, this director-level opportunity offers real scope and responsibility within a recognized luxury brand.
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Pay for this role
The employer didn't post a pay range for this role. That usually means pay is set in negotiation, which favors whoever arrives with numbers. Check ranges on comparable Director of Event Planning postings in New Orleans, and analyze any offer before you accept it.
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