Director of Events - Regent Kuala Lumpur (Pre-opening)
IHG · Malaysia
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