Development Coordinator

Role Purpose

This role will be responsible for assisting in the execution of all Development & Relationship Marketing events, owner networking and conference/tradeshow participations. He/she will work with the Development Marketing team, once unique networking events have been identified, to assist in invitation process, entertain current owners and industry influencers and support the recognition of key existing IHG franchisees in order to provide the best environment to connect the right owners with the right brands to obtain Great Hotels Guests Love. This role will also be responsible for assisting in facilitating IHG’s presence at industry tradeshows and conferences where an exhibit is required for franchise and/ or new hotel development. Additionally, this role will assist Development Marketing with maintaining/updating all marketing materials necessary for assisting the franchise sales team with pipeline growth and hotel development.

Key Accountabilities

• Leads and supports numerous assigned events each year, partnering with internal clients to identify goals, preferred locations, dates, budget, and on-site support requirements for execution of successful events.
• Assists with maintaining and updating all marketing materials, including brochures, custom presentations and the IHG Development website. Updating includes writing and proofing marketing material copy.
• Assists with team budget by processing all department invoices, setting up new vendors in accounting, reconciling GL on a monthly basis and quarterly phasing of the budget. Also monitors and tracks expenses against events’ budgets by identifying all anticipated costs and works to ensure balances are paid off by respective due dates. Works with team to help ensure all invoices are paid and to develop cost summaries for internal client and department file.
• Assists with conference registrations and rooming lists by communicating confirmations, stay details and collecting credit card information. Also responsible for registration of paid attendees and company comp attendees; management of rooming list, including all changes leading up to the event, and final communication to attendees with confirmation of registration and rooming details.
• Assists in creating and distributing approved conference related communications materials: registration forms, event summaries, signage, agendas, and event invitations.
• Provides on-site support as needed, in conjunction with owner meetings and events to oversee contracted arrangements, ensure outstanding service from the vendors and provide event related assistance as needed.
• Submits feedback for post meeting/event reviews of event to help team raise the bar for future events.

Key Skills & Experiences

Education –

Associate’s or Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Marketing, Communications or Business, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.

Experience –

Corporate or direct work-related experience within the hotel industry, with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines related to the position, including marketing communications, event planning, experience with internal and external communications and creative development.

Technical Skills and Knowledge –

• Strong attention to detail and meeting project deadlines.
• Proven effective organizational and time management skills; must be able to prioritize/coordinate multiple projects/activities in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Customer service focused with exceptional interpersonal skills including professionalism, diplomacy, team orientation, respect for business protocol and confidentiality. Enthusiastic and an excellent listener with ability to extract client's needs and translating those needs to deliver successful events satisfying client's business objectives and ensuring attendees comfort.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to effectively interact within a team and collaborate with diverse internal and external business partners, customers and various levels of management.
• Experience with Banquet and Meeting Event orders, event summaries, list management and project planning.
• Demonstrated ability to remain composed under stress and takes personal responsibility to deliver on personal and corporate commitments.
• Strong track record of sound business judgment with minimal supervision, resourceful and generating effective solutions quickly while on-site at meeting/event or within the department. Demonstrated ability to direct vendor staff and business unit volunteers with a professional and respectful demeanor.
• Demonstrated ability to work with manager, peer and/or client guidance to deliver projects in a timely manner, utilizing standard procurement practices with a creative, proactive approach and providing regular progress reports. Skilled at appropriate escalation to resolve problems and/or issues internal and external.
• Ability to travel (up to 10%) and work some long hours/day independently on events including a few evenings, and weekends per year.
• Proficient in Excel spreadsheet development for meeting/event budgets and creation of cost analysis reports. Also proficient in other Microsoft Office programs, especially Word, PowerPoint. Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator a plus.