Director of Events - Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You Picture yourself brightening someone’s day. When you join our Hotels team, that’s exactly what you’ll do every time you come to work! You will manage the Catering Sales, Weddings, and Events Management team, working closely with the rest of the Sales & Marketing team to actively convert customer enquiries into confirmed sales. As a Director of Events , you’re not just providing strategic leadership and direction for the hotel’s events function – you’re spreading the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering memorable experiences that make the stay for every guest. Here’s what you’ll do during a typical day: Commercial Strategy & Revenue Generation • Drive the promotion and sale of all hotel event-related products and services, including meetings, conferences, banquets, weddings, catering, and guestrooms. • Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue targets and maximize event, banquet, and group business opportunities. • Analyze market trends, customer production, competitor activities, and source market performance to identify opportunities and adjust sales strategies accordingly. • Develop, maintain, and grow relationships with key customers, convention organizers, conference service companies, travel agents, and Hilton Worldwide Sales Office (HWS). • Forecast event and banquet revenue, contribute to budgeting and business planning processes, and ensure achievement of departmental financial objectives. Event Planning & Operational Excellence • Oversee the end-to-end event sales and planning process, ensuring timely preparation of Group Resume, Banquet Event Order, Pre-con meeting and client follow-up. • Ensure seamless communication and coordination between the Events Team and hotel operational departments to deliver successful events and exceptional guest experiences. • Lead event planning meetings and support operational teams in managing high-profile events, meetings, and banquets. • Welcome key clients, event planners, and VIP guests, ensuring their expectations are met or exceeded. Commercial Collaboration & Service Delivery • Collaborate closely with Revenue Management, National Sales Office (NSO) and National Marketing Office (NMO) to optimize hotel performance and profitability. • Partner with Culinary and Food & Beverage teams to develop innovative event concepts, banquet packages, and themed menus that enhance guest satisfaction and drive revenue. Compliance, Safety & Quality Assurance • Ensure events are conducted in compliance with hotel policies, health and safety regulations, fire safety requirements, and food hygiene standards. • Promote awareness of food safety, hygiene, and guest complaint handling procedures within the team • Identify and address operational risks to ensure a safe and successful event environment. Team Management & Development • Lead, motivate, and develop the Events Team to achieve departmental goals and deliver outstanding customer service. • Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities. • Deliver training programs to enhance product knowledge, sales effectiveness, customer engagement, and operational processes. • Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, customer service excellence, and revenue achievement. Communication & Market Intelligence • Participate in key commercial and operational meetings, including sales reviews, revenue meetings, forecasting sessions, and business planning discussions. • Gather, analyze, and share market intelligence, competitor information, and industry trends to support informed business decisions and strategic planning. • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of hotel products, services, and competitor offerings to strengthen the hotel's market position. Additional Responsibilities • Perform any other duties as assigned by the Commercial Director/Manager. • The hotel reserves the right to amend or supplement this job description as required by business needs. At Hilton, our core values define what it takes to succeed here and guide the qualities we look for in every team member: A passion for spreading the light and warmth of Hospitality . Acting with Integrity and always doing the right thing. Inspiring others through Leadership . A belief that Teamwork drives the best outcomes. A sense of Ownership and accountability. And a focus on the Now , bringing urgency and discipline to every moment, knowing it can make a lasting impact. In addition, this role requires the following minimum qualifications: • Degree qualifications in Hospitality/Business Management or equivalent. • At least 5 years of experience in managing hospitality sales/event planning team role preferred. • Proven experience in leading large-scale event operations within hospitality. • Strong financial acumen and experience managing complex budgets. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills. • Proficiency in hotel/event management software and digital tools. • Strategic thinker with a creative mindset and attention to detail. • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment. • Knowledge of industry trends and commitment to continuous innovation.