Senior Event Services Manager at Sonesta… · Royal…

Senior Event Services Manager

Location: Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill Washington, District of Columbia 20001

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast 🚀).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

The Sr. Event Services primarily responsible for gathering the details for Corporate Catering events and Groups with Banquet from the client, assimilating the information into standard documents and disseminating the information to all departments efficiently and effectively. This position acts as the liaison between the group's meeting planner and the hotel staff. Responsibilities include providing exceptional customer service while working with clients, booking new and repeat business, administering the sales agreement, detailing all food, beverage and A/V needs, managing room blocks and pick up, billing instructions and final review. The Sr. Event Services Manager needs to have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask effectively.

What you’ll be doing

Event Planning and Execution

· Act as the central point of communication between clients and all hotel teams (Culinary, Banquets, AV, Engineering, Front Office, Housekeeping, Accounting) to guarantee smooth event coordination and seamless execution.

· Oversee a diverse lineup of events—including corporate and government meetings, galas, and corporate social gatherings—while delivering exceptional service and attention to detail.

· Conduct detailed client consultations to confirm event objectives, guest room needs, meeting room setups, timelines, menus, and audiovisual needs.

· Monitor Convention Groups Room Requirements to ensure all convention attendees receive commitments made in the hotels’ agreements.

· Create, update, and distribute Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and Group Resumes with absolute accuracy, ensuring all details (room setups, F&B requirements, timing, billing, and guarantees) are current and verified with all departments.

· Oversee all aspects of event setup and service execution, including on-site presence during major events to ensure flawless delivery.

· Keep proactive open, consistent communication with clients throughout the planning process and event lifecycle to ensure satisfaction, manage updates, and strengthen ongoing partnerships.

· Maintain detailed notes in the event management system for traceability and accountability.

· Manage multiple versions of BEOs within deadlines, ensuring version control and consistency across departments.

· Participate in weekly BEO review meetings with internal departments to share updates and confirm logistical alignment.

Event Sales

· Nurture strong client relationships to encourage repeat bookings and generate referrals.

· Solicit new accounts, book, detail and service

· Identify upsell opportunities

Communication and Collaboration

· Collaborate closely with sales, operations, and culinary departments to enhance event quality and drive overall profitability.

· Contribute to hotel-wide meetings and strategic planning discussions to ensure events support larger organizational goals.

· Provide clear, professional, and timely communication to both internal teams and clients regarding approaching Cut-Off Dates, Attrition and other deliverables.

· Convert detailed event requirements into straightforward, executable directives for banquet and culinary staff.

· Facilitate pre-convention briefings and post-event reviews to analyze achievements, address challenges, and identify areas for improvement.

· Foster strong, productive relationships with vendors, event planners, production partners, and internal stakeholders.

· Handle last-minute adjustments and guest issues with tact, composure, and a high level of professionalism.

Systems & Administrative Excellence

· Proficiently work within a variety of hospitality software systems, such as:

· Delphi.fdc, Social Tables, TripleSeat, or similar CRM/event management tools

Sertifi, DocuSign, or comparable brand-specific platforms

· Produce precise event documentation, including event orders, contracts, billing summaries, invoices, and after-action reports.

· Maintain detailed event files and digital documentation in compliance with hotel SOPs and brand standards.

· Review and balance master accounts, verify accurate coding, and collaborate with Accounting to ensure prompt invoicing and payment collection.

· Evaluate event financial performance and assist with forecasting, budgeting, and post-event financial analysis.

Guest Experience & Quality Assurance

· Consistently maintain the hotel’s hospitality standards and brand image throughout all phases of event delivery.

· Proactively recognize guest needs and ensure every interaction—from check-in through departure—is smooth, elevated, and memorable.

· Perform pre-event walk-throughs to verify that room setups, cleanliness, signage, and décor align with established specifications.

· Gather post-event feedback to assess guest satisfaction and uncover opportunities for future business.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to three years related experience and/or training with two years in a senior role; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to author routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions offered in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Delphi, MICROS, Room Viewer Database software; Microsoft Outlook Internet software; Microsoft EXCEL Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) a plus

Other Skills and Abilities

Other Qualifications

Must be available for flexible shifts including nights, weekends, holidays.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sonesta People Standards Must be knowledgeable and demonstrate use of Sonesta People Standards with all internal and external guests.

Core Guiding Principles Must demonstrate understanding of Core Guiding Principles through words and actions.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

$39.00 - $42.00 Hourly Base pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job related knowledge, skills and job specific experience/overall experience.

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

• Paid Vacation & Sick Time

• Paid Parental Leave

• Company-Paid Life Insurance

• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance

• Educational Assistance

• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these ✈️)

• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts
  
  

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Before You Apply

To be considered, please complete the full application in addition to submitting your resume. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.