Why us?

The Portland City Center is seeking an experienced Conference Services Manager to join the hotel and restaurant leadership team.

The Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center is a unique downtown Portland hotel. Not your typical Courtyard! Our 256 room, high rise hotel is located in the heart of downtown Portland and offers all the services and amenities of a full service hotel. In addition, the Courtyard Portland City Center offers over 7,000 square feet of event space able to accommodate groups of up to 220. We embody that unique vibe that is the best of “Portland”. 

At Sage Hospitality Group, we look for innovative leaders, with an eye for disruption. Never looking for someone just looking for a job, we are looking for the power players, the people who want to rise to the top. Sage allows for opportunities for growth and personal fulfillment, paying attention to the parts that keep us human and happy. We want to attract and retain associates that are engaged in our culture, passionate about hospitality and excited to enrich lives, one experience at a time. Sage Hospitality Group was founded on a spirit of bold individuality. By going our own way, we have created some of the world’s best hotels, restaurants, and experiences. But the truth is, none of it would have happened without people like you. People who follow their own path, who are hungry to learn and who love their community. People who do not sit around and wait, they just do. You belong here.

Job Overview

Plan, organize and manage the in house details for large group and convention booking (e.g. Guest rooms, menus, set-up, etc.) Participate in negotiating meetings/functions, rooms, rates and all related requirements. Ensure maximization of room and meeting space, revenues, and profits while delivering a quality product. Focus on execution of all aspects of event planning including coordination from the signing of a group contract forward, VIP needs, amenities, group resumes, and rooming lists.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the management and planning of meetings/conventions and related activities.
• Attends Banquet Event Order (BEO) and staff meetings and perform as a team leader for all hotel department staff participating in the event delivery process.
• Achieve a minimum of 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals, as established by management.
• Coordination of all group business as developed by the sales manager. Contact and appropriately follow-up on all signed/contracted business within 5 working days. Determination and coordination of all event planning needs.
• Maintain well documented, accurate, organized and up to date file management in order to serve client and the employer in the most expedient, organized and knowledgeable manner.
• Develop customer profiles and maintains an effective trace system including trace dates and references resulting in superior account service and increased revenues.
• Develops strong customer relationships through appropriate client communication and the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Follow up on all client needs and inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
• Focuses on revenue-generating activity and maximizes selling time through retaining accounts/clients, maximizing account yield opportunities and sales effectiveness.
• Detail, up-sell and detail the program with the client including; verification and modification of space requirements, audio-visual, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc. Prepare the appropriate resumes and paperwork to ensure quality service.
• Manage function details and related activities to ensure that program requirements are satisfied. Anticipate and handle customer complaints and/or problems to ensure quality product delivery, customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Oversees all billing details for hotel groups to include processing of deposits, direct bill applications, credit card authorizations and coordination with accounting.
• Improve hotel convention services' products through; (a) participate in the development of new sales tools and systems, (b) participate in the analysis of the strengths and weakness of our competitions product, and (c) analysis, understanding, and satisfaction of our customers’ needs.
• Monitor and control individual client event budgets and details to maximize revenues and minimize expenses while ensuring delivery of a quality product.
• Attend and lead pre conference meetings as needed. Coordinate the pre-con between the client and hotel staff and review the details of the BEO with all parties.
• Close out all groups to include pickup in sales system (Delphi) and commission owed, including processing with accounting.

Qualifications

Education/Formal Training

More than two years of post high school education.

Experience

One to two full years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).

Knowledge/Skills

• Requires a working knowledge of banquet/catering food and beverage services, policies or operations.
• Requires knowledge of computer equipment.
• Requires compiling facts and figures in accordance with established procedures.
• Supervisory skills needed.
• Communication skills required to provide information and associated services to hotel management and guests.
• Excellent hearing necessary for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision necessary to view set-ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying tables, chairs, boxes (50 lb. maximum) occasionally.
• Bending/kneeling required for taping down cords, skirting tables, picking up floor after function occasionally.
• Mobility - ability to service clients on a moment notice, variable distances.
• Continuous standing required for function observation, client site inspections (one hour minimum to four hours maximum). Climbing stairs of approximately 55 steps 3-5% of 10 hours daily.

Environment

Inside 95% of 10 hour day. Outside 5% of 10 hour day. Temperatures - extreme summer heat of 95 degrees and above, and winter cold.

Benefits

▪Eligible to participate in Sage Incentive Plan. Up to 20% of your salary.

▪Medical, dental, & vision insurance

▪Health savings and flexible spending accounts

▪Basic Life and AD&D insurance

▪Company-paid short-termdisability

▪Paid time off for vacation, sick time, and holidays

▪Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) programwith employer matching

▪Employee assistance program

▪Tuition Reimbursement

▪Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

▪Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral.