Special Events & Experience Manager

About Us

Don't meet every single requirement of this job? At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization!

We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.

Overview

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prospect, solicit, and secure new events through direct outreach, networking, site inspections, and community engagement.

• Sell and package full-experience offerings, including event space, food & beverage, specialty cocktails, entertainment, A/V, and production enhancements.

• Apply strategic pricing and yield management techniques to maximize revenue and profitability.

• Manage forecasting, pace reporting, and budget accountability to achieve or exceed revenue goals.

• Conduct professional and compelling site tours and client presentations.

• Utilize effective sales techniques across social, corporate, and lifestyle market segments.

• Collaborate with culinary, banquet, and beverage teams to design creative menus, event concepts, and specialty functions aligned with lifestyle positioning.

• Oversee the execution of all sold events, ensuring seamless coordination between clients, vendors, and operations teams.

• Manage A/V and production services as revenue-generating components where applicable.

• Maintain accurate documentation and event records within sales and event management systems.

• Represent the hotel at networking events, trade shows, nightlife industry functions, and community engagements.

• Maintain awareness of competitor venues, rooftop/lifestyle spaces, and emerging event trends in NYC. Cultivate strong relationships within the local event, entertainment, and lifestyle community to generate repeat and referral business.

• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• 2+ years of experience in catering sales, special events, hotel catering or nightlife, lifestyle hospitality, rooftop venues, restaurants, lounges, clubs, or experiential event environments.

• Experience in a high-volume, high-energy urban market strongly preferred.

• Ability to sell a full spectrum of events - from corporate meetings and plated dinners to after-parties and experiential activations.

• *Proven ability to drive revenue through proactive prospecting, networking, and relationship-building.

• Experience collaborating with culinary, beverage, production, and operations teams in fast-paced service environments.

• Hotel experience preferred; lifestyle or nightlife venue experience highly valued.

• Strong revenue management and forecasting skills with an understanding of pace, profitability, and yield strategies.

• Confident closer with strong negotiation and presentation skills.

• Comfortable working evenings and attending events as needed to support execution and build client relationships.

• Ability to thrive in dynamic, high-energy environments.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and hotel sales/event systems.

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and client service skills with exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.

Compensation

Benefits

HEI Hotels and Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.