Director of Event Planning

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

Park Lane New York, situated on Billionaires' Row - home to the world's most coveted addresses on
Central Park South - has been completely reimagined as a departure from its neighbors and serves as a
unique and inclusive retreat within walking distance of the city's cultural hubs including Lincoln Center,
Carnegie Hall, 5th Avenue shopping, and the Museum of Modern Art. The 47-story property features 610
rooms - nearly half of which provide sweeping park-facing views - and 11,000 square feet of reimagined
indoor and outdoor event space. A fitness center perched on the fifth floor offers state-of-the-art
equipment and its own separate outdoor terrace. The reimagined hotel features three new food & beverage venues throughout the hotel including an 80-seat lobby bar with an outdoor promenade, an intimate restaurant on the hotel's second floor, and CentralPark South's only rooftop lounge atop the hotel. Perched on the 47th floor, the cocktail bar will treat guests to a one-of-a-kind experience against the backdrop of Manhattan's sprawling skyline and park.

The Director of Events Services is responsible for directing, coordinating, training and supervising the Conference Services (Operations) Managers and Catering Sales Manager(s). He/she is also responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing assigned group business after it is turned over by the sales department, throughout and through the closure of the event and subsequent financial aspects of the program, while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels. He/she is expected to market ideas to promote business; reduce employee turnover; maintain revenue and payroll budgets; and meet budgeted productivity while keeping quality consistently high. The Director of Events is also responsible for acting as a liaison between client and operating departments to ensure a successful meeting and to generate repeat business.

Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.
• Respond to requests by Meeting Planners immediately.
• Liaise with other department to anticipate event and equipment needs through regular BEO meetings, group resumes meetings, and ongoing correspondence.
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event set-up.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Create, review and revise rooming lists and VIP lists.
• Manage the Sales Inventory management system and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.
• Respond to guest complaints in a timely manner.
• Keep immediate manager fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
• Work with F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Know meeting room set-ups and capabilities.
• Know sleeping room configurations and types.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audiovisual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One to One Customer Service Training, etc.)
• Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Catering Sales Managers.
• Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and quality.
• Coordinate all aspects of the ongoing implementation of the Highgate Hotel Enrichment philosophy of service.
• Ensure participation within department for monthly Highgate Hotel team meeting.
• Focus team on their role in contributing to the Guest Service and audit scores
• Conduct meetings according to Highgate Hotel standards as required by management.

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 2-year college degree and at least 3 years of related experience.
• Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Must have knowledge of F&B preparation techniques, health department rules and regulations, liquor laws and regulations.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000 annually