Convention Services Specialist, Full Time, Banquets (Harrah's SoCal)

The Convention Services Specialist serves as the primary liaison between clients and resort operations from contract turnover through post-event follow-up. Responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing meetings, conventions, and special events while ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction, operational excellence, and revenue optimization. Partners closely with Sales, Banquets, Culinary, Hotel Operations, Finance, AV, and other operational departments to deliver successful events and repeat business.

Client & Event Management

• Manages assigned groups from contract turnover through event completion.

• Conducts planning meetings, pre-convention meetings, and post-event reviews.

• Develops strong client relationships and serves as primary point of contact.

• Prepares and distributes resumes, BEOs, event diagrams, and operational communications.

• Maintains on-site presence for major events and resolves service issues promptly.

• Ensures all event requirements are communicated accurately to operational departments.

Revenue & Financial Accountability

• Upsells food and beverage, meeting space, guest rooms, and ancillary services.

• Coordinates billing arrangements, deposits, credit approvals, and final invoicing.

• Ensures revenues, room rentals, and discretionary fees are optimized.

• Partners with Accounting to ensure accurate reconciliation and payment collection.

• Assists with group forecasting and revenue tracking.

Group Rooms & Inventory Management

• Manages room blocks, rooming lists, suite assignments, pickup reporting, and cutoff dates.

• Maintains room inventory accuracy in LMS and Delphi.

• Monitors group housing performance and communicates inventory concerns.

• Coordinates VIP arrivals, upgrades, concessions, and special requests.

Operational Coordination

• Acts as liaison between clients and Banquets, Culinary, AV, Facilities, Security, Hotel Operations, and vendors.

• Coordinates shipping and receiving, amenities, concessions, signage, eBoards, and special requests.

• Attends resume meetings, BEO meetings, and operational planning sessions.

• Coordinates internal communications required for successful event execution.

Quality Assurance & Guest Satisfaction

• Ensures all contracted services are executed according to client expectations.

• Handles service recovery and guest concerns during event execution.

• Conducts post-event follow-up and identifies opportunities for repeat business and continuous improvement.

Compliance & Professional Standards

• Complies with company policies, procedures, and brand standards.

• Maintains confidentiality of client and business information.

• Participates in ongoing professional development and industry training.

• Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Business, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of convention services, catering, hotel operations, or event management experience.
• Strong knowledge of banquet operations, event logistics, room blocks, billing, and contract interpretation.
• Proficiency in Delphi, LMS, Microsoft Office, and event management systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to maneuver throughout hotel, casino, convention center, and event spaces for extended periods.
• Ability to work in both an office environment and on-site event locations.
• Ability to lift, bend, kneel, crouch, twist, and perform administrative and operational tasks as needed.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, guests, team members, and operational departments.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including computer, telephone, copier, printer, and event management systems.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business demands.

Salary: $65k per year, depending on experience

Preference is given to qualified Rincon Tribal Members and members of other federally recognized tribes.