Manager Group & Events Department

Hotel Okura Amsterdam is an international five-star hotel where Eastern and Western influences are uniquely intertwined, reflecting a blend of Japanese and Dutch culture. Together, our employees create an authentic experience for every guest. To achieve this, we are seeking an experienced and passionate leader to manage the reservations team and deliver exceptional experiences for both hotel and restaurant guests.

As part of the “Commercial Leadership Team,” you will play a key role in shaping the commercial strategy, optimizing operations, and achieving financial and quality objectives.

Are you ambitious and energized by achieving success? Do you want to make a meaningful contribution to building a sustainable and professional team? Are you capable of working independently and unafraid to experiment with new ideas? If so, the Manager Group & Events position at Hotel Okura Amsterdam is the perfect opportunity for you!

Job Overview

The Manager Group & Events Department at Hotel Okura Amsterdam (HOA), a leading Hotel of the World (LHW), is responsible for the planning and execution of all groups (including rooms only groups) and events of Hotel Okura Amsterdam.

This includes all guest rooms in MICE (In house Meetings Incentive Conference and Events), CONV (Convention rooms – included all city wide conference and mostly booking via Rai Hotel Services) and BUSGRP (Business group – rooms only), the Conference facilities and exclusive bookings of Ciel Bleu**, Yamazato*, Sazanka, Serre and the Bars.

This person has (5) direct reports, including (2) Event Managers and (1) Group & Event Representative and (2) Group agents. (Note that for the commercial aspects of these direct reports (defining best business fit/rates) the reporting line is to Director of Group & Event Sales.)

This person is a department head and works closely together with Director of Group & Events Sales, Account Managers, Operational Departments and is part of the Commercial Department heads together with Director of Sales (DOS) and Revenue Manager, Marketing and Communication Manager (MCM) and Reservations Team.

The Manager reports to the Director of Group & Events Sales and is responsible for the Group & Events Department in absence of the Director of Group & Events Sales. Responsible for planning / event management of the hotels conference and events floor. In addition, responsible to support the manager in creating efficient workflows (lean), achieving commercial goals, achieving 9+ client/guest experience and create a fun and professional work environment. In charge administrative support including f.e. scheduling, reporting, forecasting, budget and audits.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for day-to-day operation of the planning and execution side of all groups and events.
• Leading the team to achieve 9+ group and events experiences for all clients through proactive and anticipatory co-ordination and communication.
• Making sure conference details and logistics are communicated timely and accurately between the clients, the events team and the operational departments.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and harmonious work environment between events and operational departments, boost employee morale and improve productivity and collaboration.
• Increase the organizations revenue stream by motivating and inspiring team to up and cross sell products and services to enhance the client and guest experience and increase the revenues.
• Increase the organizations profitability by motivating and inspiring team to work free of mistakes and therefor minimize allowances.
• Ensure all processes are up to date, lean and followed by all team members to avoid human error and create new processes where needed.
• Audit the phases of the planning journey on a regular basis to ensure all team members work according to the departmental work methods / procedures.
• Conduct post conference and conduct follow up on areas of improvement.
• Support team with workload and be closely involved in high profile or complicated groups/bookings to anticipate possible obstacles.
• Assist in realistic forecasting, including F&B, room rental and misc.

Competencies:

• Decision making & Judgement

  Includes generating and evaluating alternatives before making a decision or taking action while considering the risks associated with each option and selecting the option that has the best balance of risk and reward.
• Monitoring progression

Measures if ones own activities and those of others are completed as scheduled. Identifies differences, makes changes and if needed adjust them.

• Results orientated

Focusing personal efforts on achieving results in consistency with the organization's objectives.

• Analytical thinking

Identifies and recognizes important information. Is able to make links from a large amount of data.

• Conflict management

Preventing, managing, and/or resolving conflicts.

• Coaching & motivating

Stimulate others to take action in order to achieve their goals.

• Communication with stakeholders

       Build and maintain relations with internal/external stakeholders with clear communication.

What We Offer

• Contract: 1 year, with potential for extension – we want you to stay!
• Salary: Group 8. Click here for the salary overview.
• Bonus: 1 month’s salary upon achieving SMART objectives.
• Vacation pay: 8% (pro rata).
• Vacation days: 25 days per year (pro rata).
• Pension plan: General survivor's pension.
• Additional pension plan: Offered by Nationale Nederlanden.
• Parking: On-site parking in the hotel garage (subject to availability during peak times).
• Discounts: Attractive Family & Friends rates for stays and a yearly 50% discount in one of our restaurants.
• Staff benefits: 20% discount on dining in the restaurants.
• Dry-cleaning allowance: €20 net per month.
• Travel allowance: For commutes exceeding 10 km (one way).
• Unique experience: After passing your probation, enjoy a complimentary overnight stay with breakfast for two to experience the hotel as a guest!

What We Expect

We are primarily interested in getting to know you and discovering how we can add value to your career. Additionally, we expect:

• Proven experience in a similar role.
• Proficiency in both Dutch and English (written and spoken).
• A commercially driven mindset.
• A self-starter and team player attitude.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Inspirational leadership qualities for your team and colleagues.
• Sales experience (preferred).
• Familiarity with PMS system Opera (preferred).

Excited? Apply Now!

Submit your application using the button below. We look forward to getting to know you and will contact you as soon as possible. Please note that a selection assessment is part of our recruitment process.