Event Manager

Description

About The First National Center – Oklahoma City

A historic icon reimagined, The First National Center is the crown jewel of downtown Oklahoma City. Originally built in 1931, this breathtaking Art Deco masterpiece has been meticulously restored, blending its rich past with modern luxury to create an unparalleled destination.

Spanning over 1.1 million square feet, The First National Center features The National, Autograph Collection Hotel, with 146 elegantly appointed guest rooms, and The First Residences, offering 193 luxury apartments with state-of-the-art amenities. The property is also home to exceptional dining, including Stock & Bond, an upscale steakhouse; Tellers, an Italian-inspired restaurant in the historic bank lobby; The Great Hall bar; The Library of Distilled Spirits; and The Vault, a speakeasy-style bar inside the original bank vault.

Beyond hospitality, the center includes luxury retail spaces and premier event venues, with The National Ballroom accommodating up to 400 guests and additional private meeting spaces blending historic grandeur with modern sophistication.

At its core, The First National Center is dedicated to exceptional service, world-class hospitality, and a one-of-a-kind guest experience. More than just a landmark, it’s a community, a destination, and a place where history meets modern-day excellence.

DEPARTMENT: Sales Department 

REPORTS TO: Director of Sales & Catering

STATUS: Salaried / Exempt

JOB SUMMARY 

Responsible for preparing all event documentation and coordinates with Sales, property departments and customers to ensure consistent, high-level service throughout pre-event, event and post-event phases of property events. This position primarily handles events of average complexity. Ensures their property events have a seamless turnover from sales to service back to sales. Recognizes opportunities to maximize revenue opportunities by up selling and offering enhancements to create outstanding events.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES 

Managing Event Logistics and Operations 

• Ensures that events progress seamlessly by following established procedures, collaborating with other employees, and ensuring accuracy.
• Greets customer during the event phase and hands-off to the Event Operations team for the execution of details.
• Adheres to all standards, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures all billing information for groups are communicated to accounting coordinator. 
• Manages meeting space for various size groups from small to large-sized assigned groups and communicates all room block information to Group Rooms Coordinator. 
• Identifies operational challenges and determines best to work with the property staff and customer to solve these challenges and/or develop alternative solutions.
• Uses his/her judgment to integrate current trends in event management and event design.
• Acts as liaison between field salesperson and customer throughout the event process (pre-event, event, post-event).
• Participates in customer site inspections and assists with the sales process as necessary.
• Coordinate vendor logistics, including load in and load out times. 
• Solicit feedback from the property departments to identify areas for improvement to enhance the customer experience.

Ensuring and Providing Exceptional Customer Service 

• Delivers excellent customer service throughout the customer experience and encourages the same from other employees.
• Coordinates and communicates event details both verbally and in writing to the customer and property operations.
• Oversees his/her customer experiences from file turnover through the post event phase until turnover back to sales.
• Follows up with customer post-event.
• Responds to and handles guest problems and complaints directly to customer and through Marriott Guest Voice. 
• Uses personal judgment and expertise to enhance the customer experience.
• Stays available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements.
• Works to continually improve customer service by integrating obtained feedback and personal judgment into action plans.
• Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.

Leading Event Management Teams 

• Conducts formal pre- and post-event meetings as required to review/communicate group needs and feedback.
• Facilitates various meetings including Banquet Event Order meeting, Block Review, etc.

Supporting and Coordinating with the Sales and Marketing Function 

• Assists in the sales process and revenue forecasting of event revenue (catering and audio visual) for his/her groups. 
• Up-sells products and services throughout the event process.

Knowledge and Skills to conduct Administrative Responsibilities

• Gathering detailed information to create Event Orders and Group Resumes then distribute / communicate information to property team. 
• Run reports as requested in the above systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

Requirements

Education and Experience 

• High school diploma or GED; 1-2 years of experience in the event management or related professional area required.

OR

• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; at least 1 year of experience in the event management or related professional area required.