Director of Event Planning

JOB SUMMARY

There is a key position to be filled at one of Sydney’s most iconic waterfront hotels, Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection. Set on a 1912 heritage wharf built over the water at Walsh Bay, directly beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Pier One offers 189 guest rooms and suites, a collection of waterfront event spaces including the Water Room, the Bridge Room and clear-roofed Bridge Marquee, and the Dawes Point Rooms, with capacity for up to 1,500 guests across the pier, plus PIER dining and PIER BAR on the water. With panoramic harbour views and a heritage setting that simply cannot be replicated, this is a hotel where every event tells a story.

There is no better time to join Pier One Sydney Harbour and the Marriott International family!

• Be part of Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott’s portfolio of independent, one-of-a-kind hotels that are Exactly Like Nothing Else, and help shape Sydney’s most experiential waterfront hotel.
• Great Places To Work. Marriott is one of the top places to work in 2025, being certified by Great Places To Work. The Trust Index featured words such as Family, People, Benefits, Culture, Care and Opportunity all stated by Marriott employees globally. 
• Forbes Top 100 companies to work at, Marriott features as number 29
• Fortune Top 100 companies to work at, ranking number 8.
• When you join Pier One Sydney Harbour, you are giving yourself the chance to grow, as we invest in you, with the backing of Marriott International’s global platform. 
• You will have the opportunity to travel and live in other destinations across Marriott’s global portfolio should you wish.   

If you’re a team player who is excited to deliver a meaningful, experiential guest and client journey, we encourage you to explore your next career opportunity with Pier One Sydney Harbour.

As the Director of Catering and Events you will be responsible for managing a team of Events Managers and Executives.  You will be responsible for accurately forecasting monthly catering and AV revenue to the hotel and you will work on some of the most exciting events to come to Sydney (Rugby Union World Cup, Sydney Marathon, Sydney Festival and Vivid to name but a few). 

You have a passion for exceeding your client’s expectation, whilst also being instrumental in delivering events, leading the team, negotiating pre and post event phases of all residential conferences, meetings, incentives, social events and weddings. 

You will oversee the day to day running of the events team, ensuring the team maximises revenue opportunities and accurately forecasts (catering and group rooms) all events. The position is responsible for achieving guest and employee satisfaction in the event sales team.

About the role:

• Responsible for conducting site inspections for prospective clients to the hotel
• Management of the event delivery process for large-scale events and residential conference opportunities for the hotel
• Develop and sustain relationships based on an understanding of customer needs and actions consistent with the company’s service standards, responding to guest feedback in a timely and efficient manner 
• Ensures profitable and accurate proposals and contracts
• Champion for hotel’s event management event system, ensuring all team are fully proficient and accredited for use
• Working closely with the Culinary and Food and Beverage team to ensure guest satisfaction on the event and maximum profitability
• Close liaison with Rooms Division, Groups Department and Proactive Sales Team
• Supporting a strong team by identifying career progression opportunities for talent and future development opportunities
• Responsible for accurate forecasting and budgeting of catering and event revenue

About you:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management.
• 5 years’ experience in planning sales, events and groups. 
• Experience in leadership, management and coaching of a team
• Able to lead discussions to review event complexity and proactively avoid service challenges and failures
• Has a strong business acumen and understands and utilises information and data to ensure property financial performance

In return we will provide:

• A workplace like no other: a heritage wharf on Sydney Harbour, steps from The Rocks and Barangaroo
• Discounted accommodation and food and beverage at Marriott International hotels worldwide, including Autograph Collection properties
• Rewards and recognition program celebrating the people who bring the Pier One experience to life
• Training and development opportunities within Marriott International, with a clear pathway to your next career step
• Discounted parking onsite
• Discounted staff meals