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Director of Conference Planning – Hotel & Conference Center
Salary: $100,000–$105,000 annually + incentive/commission opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Director of Conference Planning to lead the conference planning function for a full-service hotel and conference center. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys being actively involved in the execution of meetings, conferences, and special events—not simply managing the planning process from an office.
The Director will lead a team of two Conference Planners and serve as the primary operational connection between clients and the hotel teams that bring each event to life. During active programs, this leader will spend significant time in meeting rooms, banquet spaces, and throughout the property—checking setups, communicating with clients, coordinating with department leaders, and resolving issues in real time.
What You'll Do
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Conference Planners
- Balance workloads and establish expectations for planning timelines, communication, and event readiness
- Own the client relationship from sales handoff through post-event follow-up
- Lead planning calls, site visits, pre-conference meetings, and client walkthroughs
- Serve as the senior point of contact for complex programs and client escalations
- Review and oversee Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), room layouts, menus, guarantees, timelines, and program details
- Coordinate dietary accommodations, audiovisual requirements, interpreting needs, accessibility arrangements, and special requests
- Partner closely with Sales, Banquets, Culinary, AV, Front Desk, Engineering, and Accounting
- Conduct final event walkthroughs and verify meeting-room, banquet, and AV readiness
- Remain visible on the floor during conferences and events to monitor execution and service
- Manage last-minute changes and coordinate real-time solutions with clients and hotel operations
- Confirm final guarantees, approved changes, and additional event charges
- Partner with Accounting to review final billing and resolve discrepancies
- Lead post-event debriefs and use client feedback to improve planning and service standards
What We're Looking For
- Previous conference services, conference planning, convention services, or hotel event-planning experience
- Leadership experience within a hotel, conference center, resort, convention hotel, or similar hospitality environment
- Strong working knowledge of Banquet Event Orders (BEOs)
- Strong understanding of banquet and conference operations
- Experience coordinating audiovisual requirements and meeting-room setups
- Ability to manage multiple conferences and programs simultaneously
- Experience leading, coaching, or developing event or conference-planning professionals
- Strong client-facing communication and problem-solving skills
- Comfortable making decisions on the floor when timelines, attendance, or client needs change
- Ability to work cross-functionally with culinary, banquet, rooms, AV, sales, engineering, and finance teams
Ideal Background
Candidates coming from roles such as Director of Conference Services, Director of Event Planning, Director of Catering & Conference Services, Senior Conference Services Manager, Senior Convention Services Manager, Event Services Manager, or Senior Event Manager are encouraged to apply. Experience with corporate meetings, executive conferences, multi-day programs, and high-touch client events is strongly preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual salary: $100,000–$105,000
This position also offers an incentive/commission opportunity tied to performance and event/conference business.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Career growth and advancement opportunities
- Additional wellness and hospitality benefits
JOB ID: 183548
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Charles Frede