Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition.  Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

The Westin Arlington Gateway is perfectly located two blocks from the Ballston Metro Station, offering guests the convenience of reaching the nation’s Capital in just minutes. See historic monuments and museums, shop trendy Georgetown, slip in a round of golf after your meetings, or enjoy a day in DuPont Circle just a metro ride away. The hotel features 338 modern guestrooms (including 14 suites) with modern amenities.

The Conference Services Manager is responsible for coordinating and supervising assigned group business after it is booked by the sales department, and through completion of the event or function, while maintaining profitable operations and high-quality products and service levels. He/she is expected to market ideas to promote business.

The Conference Services Manager is also responsible for acting as a liaison between client and operating departments to ensure a successful meeting and to generate repeat business.

Responsibilities:

o Anticipate client and individual guest needs associated with execution of event

o Resolve complaints and requests to client satisfaction.

o Maintain complete knowledge of daily scheduled group functions, times, locations, amount of people and specified requirements.

o Review sales and labor costs for previous day; resolve discrepancies with Accounting. Track actuals against budget.

o Manage group room blocks up until contracted “cut off”

o Prepare accurate deposit invoices

o Review Final bill for completeness and accuracy.

o Prepare and distribute, in a timely manner, accurate Banquet event orders.

o Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.

o Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.

o Follow up on all turnovers within 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.

o Know meeting room setups and capabilities.

o Know sleeping room configurations and types.

o Respond to requests by Meeting Planners immediately.

o Use the Partnership Agreement to meet client needs.

o Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.

o Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.

o Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.

o Create, review and revise rooming lists and VIP lists.

o Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.

o Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.

o Manage the function book and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.

o Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.

o Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One-to-One Training, etc.)

o Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Director of Catering.

o Use feedback from Meeting Planner evaluations to improve service and quality.

o Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled.

Education & Experience:

o Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, Marketing, or related field (preferred).

o Minimum 5 years of hotel sales experience, with at least 2 years in a Conference Services Manager role (Preferred).

Preferred Skills:

o Marriott Consolidated Inventory System “CI” experience a plus

o Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

o Strong organizational and time management skills.