Senior Event Planning Manager

Organization- Hotel Kansas City

Summary

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of Sales, Marketing & Events, the Senior Event Planning Manager (EPM) serves as a key leader responsible for the successful planning, coordination, and execution of all group and social events. This role ensures seamless delivery of meetings, conferences, weddings, and special events in alignment with luxury service standards and operational excellence.

As a highly collaborative and influential leader, the Senior EPM partners closely with Sales, Culinary, Operations, and Banquets to deliver exceptional guest experiences while driving event revenue and profitability. This position plays a critical role in fostering strong internal relationships, building a high-performance culture, and ensuring consistent, detail-oriented execution across all events.

Remote work flexibility may be available for this role based on business needs, performance, and leadership alignment. While certain planning responsibilities can be effectively performed off-site, this position requires meaningful on-property presence to support key operational needs, and any hybrid arrangement is determined at the discretion of leadership.

This role requires flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and variable hours based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities

Event Planning & Execution Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end planning and execution of events, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and exceptional service delivery
• Lead client engagement from post-sale through event completion, including planning meetings, tastings, and post-event reviews
• Create and manage detailed event documentation (resumes, event orders, diagrams), ensuring clear communication across all departments
• Evaluate group business to ensure proper servicing, resource alignment, and operational feasibility
• Partner with Culinary and Operations teams to design customized event experiences, including menu development and execution strategies
• Ensure all event elements (space, timing, décor, flow) are aligned with client expectations and hotel standards
  
  

Guest Experience & Service Leadership

• Champion a service culture grounded in empathy, personalization, and anticipatory service
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with clients, serving as the primary point of contact throughout the event lifecycle
• Ensure high levels of guest satisfaction, proactively addressing challenges with urgency and professionalism
• Represent the hotel at client functions, site tours, and industry events to strengthen relationships and brand presence
  
  

Revenue & Financial Performance

• Drive event revenue through effective planning, upselling, and strategic decision-making
• Manage event budgets, ensuring profitability while maintaining quality and guest satisfaction
• Support achievement of departmental revenue and profit goals
• Partner with Sales and leadership to identify opportunities for business growth and enhanced event offerings
  
  

Leadership & Culture

• Act as a role model for professionalism, collaboration, and accountability within the Events team
• Support coaching, training, and development of Event Planning colleagues to elevate performance and engagement
• Foster a positive, team-oriented culture that emphasizes communication, recognition, and continuous improvement
• Build strong cross-functional relationships that enable seamless execution and operational alignment
• Drive agile ways of working to effectively manage special projects, changing client needs, and cross-functional initiatives
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Banquets, Culinary, Set-Up, and Operations teams to ensure flawless event execution
• Lead and participate in internal meetings (BEO meetings, pre-cons, post-cons) to align teams and expectations
• Maintain strong relationships with external vendors and partners to support event success
  
  

Operational Discipline & Systems

• Utilize event management systems and tools (e.g., Envision, Social Tables, Microsoft Office) to support planning and communication
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of all event documentation and reporting
• Continuously evaluate processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery
  
  

Qualifications

Experience

• 4 years of progressive experience in hotel Event Planning or related field
• Experience in luxury or upscale hospitality environments preferred (Hyatt experience a plus)
• Proven ability to manage complex events and multiple priorities simultaneously
  
  

Core Competencies

• Customer Focus: Anticipates needs and delivers tailored, high-touch service
• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong attention to detail, organization, and execution
• Leadership & Influence: Builds trust, collaborates effectively, and positively influences outcomes
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities
• Accountability: Takes ownership of results while maintaining high standards
  
  

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in event planning systems and tools (e.g., Envision, Social Tables)
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and collaboration platforms (e.g., Teams)
• Ability to manage event documentation, reporting, and data with accuracy
  
  

Work Environment & Requirements

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to move throughout the property and event spaces as needed
• Ability to lift, push, or pull light loads (10–15 lbs.) in an office and event environment
  
  

Role Summary

This role is ideal for a hospitality professional who excels at bringing events to life through precision, creativity, and collaboration. The Senior Event Planning Manager is a trusted leader who balances guest