Director of Events - Regent Kuala Lumpur (Pre-opening)

YOUR DAY TO DAY People • Lead and manage the events team's day-to-day activity, ensuring the right staffing levels at all times • Develop the team and improve performance through coaching and feedback, setting clear performance and development goals • Train colleagues to ensure compliance with Regent standards, fostering a strong sense of one team across departments • Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments • Recommend or initiate HR-related actions as needed • Build and maintain relationships with external contacts, including guests, vendors, and planners Financial • Own the preparation of the events department's annual budget and departmental goals • Monitor budget and control expenses, with a focus on food, beverage, and labour costs • Complete forecasts, plans, and productivity reports for the department • Monitor spend and identify opportunities to optimise sales while minimising waste • Negotiate sales prices within approved booking guidelines Guest Experience • Ensure every client experience is successful and memorable, acting as brand ambassador and key contact throughout the guest journey • Build long-term relationships with planners and hosts to increase loyalty to the Regent brand • Consult with meeting planners at the pre-event stage to optimise space, flow, menu, and design for every meeting, event, and wedding • Oversee agreed event details, including room set-ups, staging, and lighting • Conduct pre- and post-event meetings with clients and catering colleagues to identify opportunities for improvement • Meet with meeting planners daily to debrief on events, review consumption, billing, and any exceptions • Welcome groups and conduct event briefings ahead of each session • Analyse client satisfaction surveys and act on feedback to improve service • Conduct banquet and catering facility tours, entertaining clients to enhance their event experience Responsible Business • Raise awareness and reputation of the hotel and Regent brand within the local market • Ensure guest safety remains a priority, with minimal interruptions or issues • Advise clients on ways to reduce waste, save energy, and minimise environmental impact • Maintain a safe, secure property, participating in Fire Life Safety activities as required • Perform other duties as assigned, stepping in wherever needed to get the job done Accountabilities • Full leadership of the Events department, including event managers, coordinators, and banqueting operations • Achievement of events revenue and profitability targets against budget • Consistent delivery of Regent's brand standards across every meeting, conference, wedding, and banqueting experience • Strong, lasting relationships with meeting planners, corporate clients, and repeat event hosts WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU • To thrive in this role and bring poise and precision to the guest journey, you'll need: • Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field • Minimum 5–7 years' experience in event or banquet management, including at least 2 years in a leadership role, ideally within luxury hospitality • Strong negotiation, client relationship, and event planning skills • Proven ability to lead and develop a team • Fluent English required; other languages an advantage