Manager Weddings & Social Events - Meliá Desert Palm Dubai

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. 

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

What You Bring

• 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.