Manager, Conference Center

Position Overview

The Conference Center Manager provides direction in the operation, development, and promotion of the Conference Center at Lake Placid, a NY State Olympic Regional Development Authority managed facility, to meet the business needs of all internal and external clients. The Conference Center Coordinator is responsible for selling and organizing events/conferences at the Conference Center, Olympic Center, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, and the Olympic Jumping Complex, and for all operational and logistical aspects of the Conference Center. The Conference Center Manager is responsible for the management of staff and vendors/subcontractors, the promotion and servicing of events at Olympic Authority venues, providing direction and training to meeting services staff, and implementing policies and procedures that support the objective of the Conference Center. Flexibility with work hours work outside standard Olympic Authority standard business hours is required. The Conference Center Manager reports to the General Manager of the Olympic Center.

Duties and Responsibilities

Regular duties include but are not limited to:

• Support the mission of the Olympic Authority
• Implement rental rate structure and convention criteria
• Originate all client contracts/agreements with the Legal department and ensure the necessary policies and procedures are observed
• Oversee onsite meeting management including room, audio/visual, catering, and set up/breakdown. This includes handling any problems as they arise
• Prepare, reconcile, and maintain all financial records and prepare all billing for ORDA venues where the events are taking place
• Act as main liaison with the meeting services provider (LPCVB - ROOST), caterer (Sodexo Live!), and meeting planners.
• Direct Building scheduling of meeting rooms and supporting conferences, events, and social functions held at Olympic Authority Venues
• Trains and manages CCLP staff, including hiring and performance management.
• Meet and greet clients, conduct property tours, promote facilities and services
• Solicit for new and repeat business specific to day meetings, social events, and weddings
• Provide and distribute weekly function sheet to document events and share detailed information with all involved departments
• Participate in "pre-con' and "post-con" meetings involving the client and relevant members of the operations staff
• Develop and implement strategies and tactics to maximize CCLP utilization while maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Maintains appearance and proper functions of building and its’ assets, including catering equipment
• Works with meeting organizers to review final meeting specifications to ensure accuracy
• Produces and maintains operational procedures and guidelines for meeting planning, as well as develops and improves department systems (as directed/needed).
• Review Banquet Event Orders and attend weekly BEO meetings with Sodexo Live! to ensure accuracy on all event catering
• Order equipment, materials, and supplies as needed and within budgetary guidelines
• Proactively create a Conference Center experience to ensure productive and enjoyable conferences, workshops, and meetings
• Generate reports regarding revenue, activity, demand, and use of the Conference Center
• Research, analyze, contract, and manage vendor relationships to provide all types of Conference Center-related services
• Work to develop and monitor budgets for meeting expenses
• Performs meeting cost analysis and reconciliation of meeting expense charges
• Create proposals with pricing for potential conferences and work with LPCVB to send out bids

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality, Tourism, or related field. Progressively responsible and relevant experience in sales or event marketing may replace educational requirement on a year for year basis.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in event planning, catering, conference center management, and/or hospitality management
• Experience managing staff
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to instill confidence in and empower staff members
• Problem solver with the ability to create and execute solutions to meet emerging challenges; demonstrate calm, stead, decision making in high stress situations
• Exceptional Microsoft Office Suite skills, familiarity with meetings software, and ability to learn new software and programs as required
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to work on a wide variety of tasks independently and in a team environment
• Experience building and nurturing partnerships and eliciting cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior leaders, vendors, and staff members at various levels
• Demonstrated ability to meet timelines, set priorities, and work independently with strong attention to detail
• Excellent organization and planning skills, detail oriented and self-motivated
• Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) is preferred but not required

Salary Range and Benefits:

This position has a minimum salary of $67,735 and a maximum salary of $97,539 per year. The hiring range for this specific position is $70,000 - $76,000 per year. Final offer will be within the hiring range and will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

The Olympic Authority offers an excellent benefits package that includes paid leave (paid parental, sick, vacation, and personal time); paid holidays; health, dental, and vision insurances; long term disability and supplemental life insurance at preferred rates; participation in the NYS and Local Retirement Systems; and optional participation in NYS Deferred Compensation.

Interested Candidates should email a letter of interest and resume with the subject heading,

“Manager, Conference Center” to:

EPaul@orda.org

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of a successful background check in accordance with the Olympic Authority’s Background Check Policy:

https://orda.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Background-Check-Policy.Revised.12.7.22.pdf
Background checks will be conducted by a Third-Party Administrator of the Olympic Authority’s choosing in compliance with the requirements of the New York State Fair Credit Reporting Act (General Business Law § 380) and the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681).

The Olympic Authority is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity is permitted to ask or to mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide either their current compensation or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If any such information has been requested before the appropriate time, you may contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $76,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $76,000