Manager, Sales Support HWS-GCM (Event Experienced)

Job description

About Hilton 

Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with more than 7,200 properties with more than 1,050,400 rooms in 123 countries and territories. In the 104 years since our founding, we have defined the hospitality industry and established a portfolio of 18 world-class brands, with the emergence of the Tempo brand and including our flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, which is the most recognized hotel brand in the world. We have more than 170 million members in our award–winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors.

Position Statement: 

 The Manager Sales Support GCM you are responsible for developing the strategy and leading the project management and planning for events on behalf of the Hilton Worldwide sales teams across Asia Pacific. This position will work with executive partners and business collaborators to understand event objectives, requirements, fund allocation, and timelines to plan the scope and build the event strategy. 

You will lead the planning, ideation, execution, and delivery of these customer facing events. Alongside collaborate with the global special evets team to align the global customer engagement objectives and narrative for stakeholders, ensuring cross-collaboration ad all workstreams are accurately defined and implemented. The Manager will also suggest initiatives to reach the goals of the event for the business owners’ approval, and if approved will lead the planning and activation of those initiatives.

In addition, the Manager will support the administrative and reporting efforts and processes for the various Hilton Worldwide Sales team hubs in Asia Pacific including Greater China, India, Japan & Korea, Australasia, and Southeast Asia. The role holder will help drive efficiency, consistency, and governance to enable sellers to dedicate more time to clients, to maximize performance and drive results. 

 The Manager will guide and carry out Special events and oversee the responsibilities of the Sales Support team which include but is not limited to the extraction and maintenance of data & reporting, creation of best practices and SoPs, preparation of customer & internal communications, maintenance of account information in HWS systems, as well as the planning & preparation of customer events & trade shows and supporting the delivery of sales initiatives.  The role will exercise sound judgement to balance team workload and prioritize tasks and develop and maintain a culture aligned with Hilton Worldwide Sales and Commercial Services, bolstering team strength, establishing succession plans, and mentoring team members. 

Position Summary: 

What will I be doing?

•         Develop the APAC Special Events annual plan and lead calls with stakeholders and other core team members to ensure conference tasks are documented and completed on time 

•         Develop agendas, presentation decks via PowerPoint, and lead meetings with executives 

•         Lead management and tracking of tasks using established tools available 

•         Prioritize and delegate work to vendors and project team members accordingly, while ensuring optimal allocation of resources 

•         Lead all event logistics with planning team, including scheduling the dates, housing (room blocks), breakouts, booths / tradeshows, shipping / receiving, staffing, supplies, transportation, sponsorships, Audio Visual, amenities, VIP / executive logistics, speakers, event technology and others as assigned

•         Lead RFP and RFQ processes with agencies, vendors, event venues, and hotels 

•         Lead the sourcing and contracting of hotel, convention center, destination management company (DMC), agency partner, transportation, entertainment, speakers, booth vendors, and any other vendor partners as needed. Work with Hilton Supply Management and Hilton legal teams to implement. 

•         Lead planning calls with internal Hilton teams and agency partners and ensure timely follow-up with next steps and notes

•         Plan for feedback mechanisms and implement more efficient processes

•         Assess and communicate event / meeting potential risks to address as needed, providing potential solutions as applicable

•         Lead events from conception to planning and execution. This includes participating in the tactical planning process for meetings and events.

•         Connect with the conference team and finance lead to run the event funding, track and report expenditures, pay invoices, and reconcile event billing

•         Align with Hilton Travel and Entertainment (T&E) policy (or Strategic Meetings Management Programs - SMMP policy) for event compliance, including legal, branding, procurement, and financial

•         Formulate and distribute regular reports to update partners on all event elements, such as attendee registrations, work completed, work in progress, and upcoming timelines

•         Guide direction of event creative and branding, maintain relationships and approvals with vendors and internal members to confirm consistent messaging, branding, and identity across workstreams

•         Plan site visits including creating visit / meeting agendas, coordinate with hotels and agencies

•         Travel for site selections, pre-planning meetings and execution of final event

•         Work with conference coordinator to maintain organized and accurate storage of all documents and files

•         Manage coordinator, event contractor(s) or interns as assigned by Director

•         Support the implementation of the HWS Sales Support Strategy for APAC.

•         Conduct regular individual and combined team discussions covering recent performance, initiatives, progress against objectives and personal development, providing 360-degree feedback and course correcting.

 

What are we looking for?

 

A Manager Sales Support GCM serving Hilton Brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:

·       Ability to think quickly and accurately during all phases of the planning process and be well-versed in all aspects of meeting and event planning

·       Communicate effectively with executives, partners, internal team members, company representatives, contracted event planners, meeting participants, and vendors 

·       Experience leading large-scale conferences, including trade show / supplier showcase components, multiple general sessions, meal functions, breakout sessions, and technology components

·       Organized and meets timelines with attention to detail and process as well as possesses planning skills 

·       Solve problems through analytical skills optimally and creatively while maintaining a high level of flexibility, professionalism, and integrity 

·       Ability to learn new skills in different event / meetings-related areas 

•         Effective communication skills both verbally and in writing.

•         Ability to analyse departmental financial data.

•         Excellent interpersonal skills to build trust and confidence to motivate and influence others.

•         Demonstrates the highest standards of ethical behaviour and absolute discretion with sensitive information.

•         Ability to take initiative to identify, prioritize and implement actions required to achieve functional goals.

•         Ability to adapt to changing scenarios and pro-actively share ideas and solutions to maximise performance and productivity. 

•         Strong problem-solving skills including ability to address any issues in collaboration with others identify and prevent potential and develop problem-solving skills in others.

•         Ability to work well under pressure and effectively handle multiple and concurrent demands.

•         Ability to quickly learn new programs and train others.

•         Strong, project management skills including ability to manage details through to completion and ensure deadlines are met and proven track record in delivering successful projects through to completion.

•         Knowledge of business mathematics (weighted averages, percentages).

•         Advanced Excel & PowerPoint skills and ability.

•         Open minded, creative, entrepreneurial and uses initiative to resolve issues.

•         Understands the importance of the quality of communication (written & verbal) skills sufficient to produce sales communication that reflects the Hilton image in a dignified form towards customers and negotiating partners.

•         To be motivated, committed, and enthusiastic, seizing opportunities to learn new skills or knowledge to improve personal performance.

•         To maintain a high level of professionalism in dealings with customers, face to face and on the telephone and ready to take calculated risks.

•         To maintain team, focus by showing co-operation and support to colleagues in the pursuit of department goals.

•         Excellent collaboration skills.

•         Ability to articulate a clear vision and provide direction.

•         Ability to manage multiple stakeholders.

 

Qualifications

 

Required Qualifications

·       Minimum Years of Experience: 10 years in Hospitality, Commercial, Distribution or related industry

·       Management Experience (type): Supervisory or Project Leadership

·       High proficiency with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

·       Some proficiency with MS Access/SQL/VBA, MS Visio, Tableau or MicroStrategy applications

·       Basic to intermediate knowledge of Salesforce and Delphi FDC.

·       Experience working in multi-cultural or international settings

·       Fluency in English & Mandarin, (Added value Japanese/Korean)

·       Additional Requirements: Flexible with the ability to travel  

 

Preferred Qualifications

•         BA or equivalent work experience.

•         Experience working in a sales and hospitality environment.

•         Experience and understanding of Sales Force.

•         Significant experience working at manager level 

•         Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills and expert proficiency in Sales Systems and processes 

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its  global brands .  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!