Tucked away within a lush polo estate in Dubai, Meliá Desert Palm is a luxury urban resort where wellness, personalised service, and meaningful experiences come together. With expansive event spaces, lush gardens and sweeping views of the polo fields, the resort offers a distinctive setting for elegant weddings, intimate gatherings and grand celebrations.
We are looking for a Manager - Social Events & Weddings, bringing together a passion for exceptional hospitality, an eye for detail and the commercial expertise to grow our weddings and events, creating celebrations that reflect the individual stories of our guests.
Own and deliver the annual Weddings, Social and Private Events revenue target in line with the approved budget and commercial strategy.
Develop monthly, quarterly and annual sales action plans, forecasts and initiatives to grow the segment.
Generate new business through sales calls, referrals, networking, wedding exhibitions, site inspections, showcases and strategic partnerships.
Build strong relationships with wedding planners, event agencies, destination-wedding specialists, luxury partners, suppliers and private clients.
Qualify enquiries, conduct client consultations and create tailored proposals reflecting each client’s vision, cultural requirements, guest profile and budget.
Negotiate rates, packages, minimum spends, inclusions and contractual terms within approved authority.
Maximise event revenue through accommodation, food and beverage, venue hire, spa, transportation, activities and other hotel services.
Maintain an accurate sales pipeline, recording client activities, proposals, contracts, next actions and lost-business reasons in the designated systems.
Monitor competitor activity, pricing, wedding trends and market developments, sharing actionable recommendations with the Director of Sales.
Collaborate with Revenue Management, Marketing, Events, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Rooms, Finance and other departments on pricing, packages, promotions and client requirements.
Ensure contracts, deposits, payment schedules, amendments, concessions and approvals comply with hotel policies.
Ensure a complete and timely handover to Event Management and operational teams, covering contractual commitments, client expectations, payment status, cultural requirements, timelines and outstanding decisions.
Remain the senior commercial relationship owner throughout the event journey, working closely with Event Management on detailed planning and delivery.
Monitor client satisfaction, coordinate the resolution of concerns and conduct post-event follow-up to generate repeat and referral business.
Represent the hotel at approved wedding exhibitions, trade shows, networking events, familiarisation visits and promotional activities.
Support Marketing with wedding campaigns, sales collateral, showcases, digital content and qualified lead follow-up.
Submit regular reports covering revenue, pipeline, conversion, forecasts, account activity, market intelligence, risks and opportunities.
Comply with brand standards, commercial controls, confidentiality requirements, hotel policies and applicable regulations.
Oversee event operations in collaboration with the hotel teams, ensuring a seamless experience for clients and guests.
3 - 5 years of relevant experience in wedding, social event, catering or hospitality sales, preferably within a luxury hotel or premium venue.
Fluency in English & Arabic is required.
A proven ability to achieve revenue targets and convert qualified leads into confirmed business.
Strong commercial, negotiation, presentation, relationship-building and organisational skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with OPERA, CRM, PMS, catering or event-management systems.
Knowledge of the UAE wedding and social events market is preferred.
A bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Events Management or a related field is an advantage.
Flexibility to attend client appointments, wedding exhibitions, showcases and selected events outside regular working hours, when required.
