Conference & Events Operations Manager

About the Business

Australian & New Zealand owned and operated for more than 30 years, Rydges operates quality city, suburban, and resort-style hotels in key destinations across Australia and New Zealand, with a refreshingly down-to-earth approach. Rydges provides genuine local hospitality with quality essentials alongside its trademark ‘too easy’ service.  Rydges is the second largest hotel company in Australia.

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is a premier 418 room resort and is a sprawling playground in the heart of wine country, where's there's something special for everyone.   

Home to the award-winning Hunter Valley Conference and Events Centre, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has room to accommodate intimate gatherings of 10 or milestone moments hosting up to 1,100 attendees.

From our exhibition centre to the poolside terrace, choose from venues to bring any vibe alive. Be it serious business or a swanky gala, our team is there to help you fill out the agenda with sleek tech touches, or round out the celebration with live entertainment.

And with bountiful menu options, guests are always well fed. They can choose from cellar door experiences, local country market stalls and buffets full of locally-sourced selections.

With onsite accommodation for hundreds, stellar service and mouthwatering menus make our venues perfect for hosting celebrations of all sizes.

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is currently seeking a hands-on Conference & Events Operations Manager who is an inspiring Leader with a “go get them attitude” and is a ‘guru’ in customer service! 

This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Food & Beverage Manager. We are looking for someone with a big personality that can have fun with, and entertain our guests. You will ideally also have a passion for hotels and hospitality and be hungry for experience that will further your career within the company. 

About the Role

As an integral member of the Food & Beverage leadership team, this role will be responsible for the strategic direction and leading the successful operations of the Conference & Events team. 

This is a role suited to a person with a can-do attitude, keen eye for detail and an ability to lead, develop and motivate a large team. Experience in a similar management role in operations is preferred, while a love for hospitality and a passion for providing excellent service to our guests is a must! The successful candidate will have the availability to predominately work pm shifts, including weekends, but also have the ability to work shifts throughout the week if necessary.

Key Responsibilities

Direct day-to-day conference/convention activities, plan and assign work, and establish performance and development goals for team members.

• Provide mentoring, coaching, and regular feedback to help manage conflict and improve team member performance.
• Educate and train team members in compliance with hotel standards, service behaviours, and governmental regulations.
• Ensure team members have the tools, training, and equipment to carry out tasks.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels based on guest volume.
• Interact with outside contacts: guests, vendors, and other contacts as needed.
• Establish a sustainable onboarding and training plan for new team members and supervisors.
• Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing/human resources-related actions in accordance with hotel or company rules and policies.
• Provide guests with information (example: loyalty programmes, area attractions, restaurants, facility information) to enhance guest experience.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients to enhance the guests’ meeting/banquet experience.
• In the pre-event planning process, consult with the meeting planners to identify optimal meeting room configuration, recommendation on meeting/break flow, menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc. to improve meeting efficiency and productivity.
• Arrange all details of meetings and conventions to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, transportation, billing instructions and VIP services.
• Meet with each meeting planner daily to debrief on daily events, review consumption, bill and any exceptions to contracted billing and review estimates of final billing.
• Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meetings with clients and catering staff to determine· potential enhancements to the guest experience.
• Analyze and action against client satisfaction surveys to improve services.
• Complete forecasts, plans, and productivity reports for management.
• Participate in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget and financial plans.
• Monitor budget and upsell products and services while minimising waste to increase revenue.
• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a similar operational manager role in Food and Beverage
• Experience working in fast paced, high volume C&E operations 
• Proven ability to manage a large operational team
• Demonstrated experience in rostering, ordering and stock control based on levels of business
• High level administrative skills with the financial analytical abilities 
• Knowledge of AV equipment and being generally IT savvy advantageous to support the in-house AV team.
• Highly motivated and excellent organisational skills
• Knowledge of POS systems
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships while driving employee engagement and development 
• Excellent personal presentation and a high level of professionalism
• Outstanding customer service
• Enthusiasm, friendly nature and goal orientated 
• Ability to handle high pressure situations and adapt to operations 
• Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate

Benefits & Perks

• Incredible team member discounts from your first day on-the-job.
• Up to 50% off stays at EVT hotels – Rydges, QT, Atura, Lylo, Independent Collection and more.
• $2 movie tickets, plus Moonlight, Gold Class, Candy Bar discounts and more.
• Awesome winter and summer savings and discounts at Thredbo.
• Rapid career growth opportunities through our EVT network.
• Local community involvement, volunteering and charitable giving.
• Australia and NZ’s largest and most diverse experiences company.