The Read House Sales and Catering Department is seeking an experienced Event Planning Manager to join its team! You should be driven to succeed 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!
WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER
Location: 107 West MLK Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Salary: 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- access to your earned wages before payday!
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
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
As a the Event Planning Manager, you will coordinate arrangements for group meetings, conferences, and social events as required. You will act as liaison between all departments as necessary in assisting the customer in all aspects of event planning. Your high attention to detail in both clients' needs and in your work will ensure smooth hotel operations and successful events.
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
Job Requirements
Education/ Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent required
Post Graduate or Degree in relevant field preferred
Two to fours 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, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move 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
WHO WE ARE
The Roaring '20s are alive and prosperous in Chattanooga at the Historic Read House Hotel. We embrace the "Great Gatsby" era of grandeur and opulence and project the right balance of luxury and rebellious spirit in everything we do. At the Read House, service reigns supreme. We empower our team through support, growth and camaraderie which is instrumental in our culture of genuine hospitality and taking care of guests at every turn. Take the plunge, and be a part of this fun and exciting journey.
*2025 WINNER (and 2022, 2023, 2024 Finalist) for Chattanooga’s Best of the Best Hospitality Employer!*