Groups and Event Manager - JW Marriott Grosvenor House

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Job Description

Marriott International portfolio of brands includes both JW Marriott and Marriott Hotels.

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of more than 110 beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW believes our associates come first. Because if you're happy, our guests will be happy. It's as simple as that. Our hotels offer a work experience unlike any other, where you'll be part of a community and enjoy a true camaraderie with a diverse group of co-workers. JW creates opportunities for training, development, recognition and most importantly, a place where you can really pursue your passions in a luxury environment. Treating guests exceptionally starts with the way we take care of our associates. That's The JW Treatment.

Grosvenor House Located on Park Lane in the heart of Mayfair, our distinguished 5-star hotel offers exceptional accommodation, epicurean delights and sweeping views over Hyde Park. This grand 5-star hotel celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2019. JW Marriott Grosvenor House London welcomes celebrities, royalty and business leaders to Mayfair throughout its history and continues to do so. London is on the doorstep, the hotel is a stone's throw from Bond Street, Knightsbridge, Regent Street, Buckingham Palace, V&A, Natural History & Science museums and the West End. Our guests are able to experience modern luxury in a place where they can be mindful and present and indulge in the inspired service and nourishing surroundings.

We welcome you to join our global and diverse family and are currently recruiting for a Group and Event Manager. Your positive energy and people-pleasing mindset are an important part of why our guests continue to choose us as their hotel of choice. Every day presents a new opportunity to interact with associates from all over the world, giving you new inspiration and perspective where training and developing is at the core of everything we do for our people.

What you'll do as Group and Event Manager:

You would form part of the extensive Event Management team and will be keenly focused on delivering exceptional experiences for our guests who attend large scale events in a variety of event spaces. The role is key to supporting the Event Managers to ensure all the Hotel events are executed with consistently high-level service throughout the event transaction.

Time management, attention to detail and good organisation are key skills, as is the ability to connect and build rapport with a diverse range of colleagues and customers. A sense of teamwork, self-awareness and cooperation are required to fulfill the role and also help to maintain the very positive working environment.

Rewards and lifestyle benefits:

• An opportunity to be part of an award-winning international brand where we celebrate your unique talent
• Growth opportunities in the largest hospitality brand in the world - national and international transfers for the right candidates within Marriott hotels
• Explore Rate - discounted room rates for you, your friends and family in Marriott properties worldwide
• 20% off across food and beverage outlets in Marriott properties worldwide
• Recognition programmes and associate awards to appreciate outstanding talent
• Wellbeing and community engagement activities on and off property
• Bike Scheme and Travel Ticket Loan available for all associates
• 23 days holidays (excluding 8 Bank Holidays)
• Workplace Pension Scheme & Life assurance
• Meals on duty, uniform provided and laundered free of charge
• World class training and development programmes tailored to enhancing your skills and help you grow
• Work alongside talented, award winning and experienced hospitality professionals

JOB SUMMARY

Executes all allocated Group Events with a seamless turnover from the event management team to the operation, ensuring all group events are executed with consistent, high level service throughout the event transaction. Through coordination with Sales, the appropriate hotel support departments, and customer, takes total responsibility for the successful management of assigned in-house groups. Prepares all documentation to the satisfaction of the customer and coordinates all group event details with the appropriate hotel departments. Recognizes opportunities to up-sell to the customer to ensure maximization of revenue opportunities at all times whilst also ensuring all health and safety aspects of the group are monitored.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

• Previous experience working within an Events Department or similar environment preferred
• Able to attend the daily and/or weekly operations meeting to liaise with the various Operational departments.
• Understanding of facility management as it relates to Health and Safety, maintenance and operational challenges
• Technical aptitude in Delphi, Opera and Marsha
• Familiarity in menu planning, food presentation and event service standards
• Ability to manage customer budgets
• Understands the department P & L statements and manages groups accordingly.
• Familiarity and knowledge of all departments within the hotel
• Effective communications at all levels across the hotel
• Presents ideas, expectations and information in a concise, well-organized manner by deadlines set
• Manages conflict situations effectively
• Understanding of audio visual equipment available and services offered
• Manages time well
• Operational knowledge - understands operational challenges
• Strong familiarity in designing, up selling and executing outstanding catered events of various sizes and complexity
• Knowledge of, and experience in providing world class customer service to local and group clients
• Knowledge of and ability to integrate current trends in Group & Event Management
• Understands the hotel revenue strategy

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Managing Event Logistics and Operations

The following are specific responsibilities and contributions critical to the successful performance of the position:

• Manages group and event details to ensure high levels of service are achieved to guarantee a successful event.
• Handles all types of group events, which will include a number of very complex group events allocated at the discretion of the Director of Event Planning. Typically Groups & Events would comprise of Ballroom meetings with 10+ group rooms; Groups of 75+ rooms on peak night and Ballroom events of 125+ guests
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with the customer and hotel operations teams the details of the group event.
• Ensure all known arrival/departure schedules are communicated to Front Office, Guest Relations, Concierge and Luggage Porters for any in-house groups.
• Acts as liaison between the sales manager, operations team, any of the hotel support departments involved and the customer throughout the event process (pre-group event, on the day itself and post-group event).
• Able to attend and conduct client show rounds with or without Sales Manager and ensure follow up completed as required
• Able to attend and chair/manage Internal and Client Pre Con Meetings
• Able to attend and chair/manage Internal and Client Post Con Meetings. This to include communication of all feedback to various HOD's as required
• Attains post-group event feedback from the customer and communicates throughout the Hotel as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the Sales Team, build and maintain good working relations with the major London Destination Management Companies in order to secure their loyalty to the Hotel
• Makes presence known to the customer through the entire process. Is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to arrangements to ensure maximum success of the group allocated.
• Proactively identifies operational challenges associated with his/her group and works with the hotel associates and customer to solve these challenges and/or develop alternative solutions.
• Is accountable for his/her customers' experiences from initial enquiry through to the post-group event feedback following the issue of the final invoice.
• Ensure follow up correspondence is completed during the re-offer stage including diary updates as necessary.
• Stays until the end of dinner service on all allocated events in line with the departmental LSOP
• Responsible for the management of all financial aspects of in-house groups by holding daily client billing meetings
• Minimizing credit risk by having all deposits, guarantees and credit accounts in place before group/event takes place
• Ensure that all invoicing is accurate and dispatched within 7 days to facilitate swift payment of bills
• Maintaining an up to date and accurate commissions accrual schedule and approving agency final commission claim invoices
• Create a working document for each group including ensuring the filing of all necessary correspondence.
• Ensure follow up correspondence is completed during the re-offer stage including deposits, chases and updates as necessary within all systems.
• Advise Guest Relations and Front Office of all VIPs, special requests and routing instructions for Group bedroom bookings
• Ensure that any changes to the room block are reflected in Marsha and Opera.
• Input rooming lists into Marsha and ensure all information relating to group is correct
• To answer the telephone in a friendly, efficient and confident manner within 3 rings and provide accurate and concise information dealing with the enquiry according to office procedure.
• To ensure an efficient filing system, keeping documents in an orderly fashion so they are easily accessible in accordance to office standards.
• Responsible for preparing Groups Resume and Function Sheets with the appropriate supporting Purchase Order request to ensure items for the date concerned are ordered and then billed according to departmental Policy and Procedure.
• Update the master board and check all internal/external requirements on event function sheets for the event day, including final numbers, accommodation, security bookings, table linen, glassware, table plans and seating lists etc.
• To accurately record all client telephone calls, including messages for other members of the Event Management Team.
• To be dressed to the departmental standards and groomed correctly.
• To assist Director of Event Planning as required

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

About the Team

Marriott Hotels strive to elevate the art of hospitality, innovating at every opportunity while keeping the comfort of the oh-so-familiar all around the globe. As a host with Marriott Hotels, you will help keep the promise of "Wonderful Hospitality. Always." by delivering thoughtful, heartfelt, forward-thinking service that upholds and builds upon this living legacy. With the name that's synonymous with hospitality the world over, we are proud to welcome you to explore a career with Marriott Hotels. In joining Marriott Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of more than 100 beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW believes our associates come first. Because if you're happy, our guests will be happy. JW Marriott associates are confident, innovative, genuine, intuitive, and carry on the legacy of the brand's namesake and company founder, J.Willard Marriott. Our hotels offer a work experience unlike any other, where you'll be part of a community and enjoy true camaraderie with a diverse group of co-workers. JW creates opportunities for training, development, recognition and most importantly, a place where you can pursue your passions in a luxury environment with a focus on holistic well-being. Treating guests exceptionally starts with the way we take care of our associates. That's The JW Treatment. In joining JW Marriott, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.