Event Planning Manager - Group

About the job

Nestled on the northern tip of Isle of Palms, a barrier island just off the South Carolina coast, Wild Dunes Resort spans 1,600 acres of oceanfront beauty. The resort offers a diverse collection of accommodations, including Sweetgrass Inn, Boardwalk Inn, and Residences at Sweetgrass.

Located about 30 minutes from historic downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt, brings together flexible meeting and event spaces with the best of the Lowcountry.  Guests enjoy two championship Tom Fazio golf courses, award-winning tennis and pickleball, The Spa at Sweetgrass, 2.5 miles of pristine beachfront, extensive recreation, and a distinctive collection of dining experiences.  Consistently recognized by leading travel publications and industry organizations, Wild Dunes Resort is a premier coastal destination for leisure travel, meetings and events, golf getaways, weddings, and group experiences.

The Event Planning Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing group meetings, conferences, weddings, and special events. This role serves as the primary contact for clients following the sales process and works closely with resort departments to ensure seamless event execution, exceptional guest experiences, and achievement of operational and financial goals. The Event Planning Manager exemplifies the Wild Dunes Resort culture and promotes the resort as both a destination and employer of choice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of assigned group events from turnover through post-event follow-up.
• Serve as the primary liaison between clients and resort operations teams, ensuring event requirements are communicated accurately and executed successfully.
• Develop and maintain detailed event documentation, including banquet event orders, rooming lists, event agendas, diagrams, and resumes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with meeting planners, wedding planners, clients, vendors, and resort partners.
• Conduct property tours, planning meetings, and site inspections to showcase resort facilities and services.
• Collaborate with Sales, Food & Beverage, Banquets, Culinary, Recreation, Spa, Golf, Front Office, Housekeeping, and Engineering teams to ensure successful event execution.
• Monitor event details, anticipate guest needs, and proactively resolve challenges while maintaining service excellence.
• Maintain accurate event records, forecasting, reporting, and budget information.
• Support revenue growth through strategic upselling of resort amenities, catering enhancements, recreation activities, and special event services.
• Stay informed of industry trends and recommend innovations that enhance client experiences and operational efficiencies.
• Maintain confidentiality of guest, client, and company information.
• Represent Wild Dunes Resort professionally in all interactions and uphold resort standards and values.

Performance Expectations

• Deliver exceptional guest service and memorable event experiences that exceed client expectations.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Foster collaborative relationships across departments and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Communicate effectively with guests, clients, colleagues, and leadership.
• Meet established departmental goals related to guest satisfaction, event execution, revenue generation, and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Full-time management position requiring schedule flexibility, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Event Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience in Event Planning, Event Services, Catering, Hotel Operations, or Hospitality Management required.
• Hotel or resort experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and hotel event management systems.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative team approach.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining high service standards and attention to detail.

Working Conditions

• Primarily an indoor position within a professional office environment, with regular interaction throughout the resort property.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the resort for extended periods during meetings, site tours, and event execution.
• Requires frequent use of computers, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Must be able to perform repetitive hand and arm movements, including typing, writing, and using office systems.
• Must be able to bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, and lift materials occasionally as required.
• Regularly required to walk both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and wind.
• Must be able to navigate stairs and traverse multiple resort venues and event locations.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business demands and event schedules.
• Occasional attendance at events before, during, and after standard business hours is required to ensure successful execution and guest satisfaction.

Colleagues hired at Wild Dunes Resort will be verified through the Federal E-Verify system.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.