Special Events Manager

About Orient Express 

Orient Express embodies the refined and nomadic spirit of travel. Its exceptional assets portfolio includes experiences such as The Orient Express — its iconic carriages reinvented as a modern-day tribute to French luxury, with ARSENALE Group owner — La Dolce Vita, a train celebrating the elegance of Italian art de vivre, and a collection of luxury hotels opened in Rome – La Minerva – and soon in Venice – Palazzo Dona Giovannelli, and with Sailing Yachts  - the O.E Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing ship.  

While redefining the future of luxury hospitality, Orient Express places particular emphasis on the employee experience, development, and engagement. 

As a symbol of ultra-luxury hospitality, the brand is currently undergoing an ambitious phase of rebirth and expansion accelerated since 2024 as a Joint Venture between ACCOR and LVMH. 

Now, as Orient Express grows under the steam of its 140-year own glorious reputation and brand, it stands unique and identifiable from the other luxury brands under the ACCOR brands, aiming to become a pioneer of contemporary luxury hospitality, creating immersive experiences that combine exceptional design, impeccable service, culinary excellence, wellness offerings, cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and authentic local experiences, while also actively engaging in local community initiatives and support social causes, making a positive contribution to the destinations its properties operate in. What remains distinctly Orient Express is its spirit of adventure, sublime service and enchanting storytelling. Refreshing and reinvigorating, Orient Express is loved by those with an adventurous spirit and a taste for the very best, linking travel and destinations as part of the same journey. 

About Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli 

Orient Express will open its second hotel in Italy at the exceptional Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice, in partnership with the Italian luxury hotel group Arsenale. Architect and interior designer Aline Amar d’Amman, alongside her studio Culture in Architecture, has been entrusted to design and decorate the space. 

Venice, once the gateway to Constantinople and a mythical stop on the legendary Orient Express train – that opened its doors in 1919 with the completion of the Simplon tunnel linking Switzerland to Italy – will be the home of the second Orient Express hotel, set to open in 2026. 

As a Special Events Manager, you will be responsible for orchestrating exceptional meetings, conferences, and social functions that reflect the prestige and elegance of our hotel. From the first client inquiry to the final guest farewell, you will ensure every detail is flawlessly executed, exceeding expectations and creating memorable experiences. This role requires a balance of strategic planning, operational excellence, and refined guest service, delivered with the discretion and sophistication expected in a luxury environment. 

Key Responsibilities 

Client Engagement & Planning 

• Serve as the primary liaison for clients, from contract handover through event completion. 
• Build strong, long-term relationships with corporate clients, event planners, and private hosts. 
• Conduct venue tours, craft detailed proposals, and tailor event concepts to reflect each client’s vision. 
• Anticipate guest needs and adapt services to deliver truly bespoke experiences.* 

Event Operations 

• Oversee daily operations of all events, ensuring set-ups, service, and timelines meet luxury standards. 
• Lead pre-service briefings and coordinate with Sales, Culinary, Stewarding, Housekeeping, and AV teams. 
• Monitor floor plans and Banquet Event Orders, ensuring flawless execution and seamless communication. 
• Maintain an active presence during events, addressing client requests and resolving issues swiftly. 

Leadership & Team Development 

• Lead, motivate, and mentor event staff to deliver service excellence with grace and precision. 
• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. 
• Ensure staff are equipped with proper training, uniforms, and resources, upholding the highest presentation standards. 

Financial & Strategic Management 

• Manage event budgets, costs, and billing with accuracy and transparency. 
• Support sales initiatives by identifying upselling opportunities and promoting hotel event offerings. 
• Monitor staffing levels to ensure both guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. 

Health, Safety & Compliance 

• Ensure strict adherence to food hygiene, health, and safety standards. 
• Anticipate potential hazards, implementing proactive measures for guest and staff safety. 
• Stay informed on industry trends, technologies, and best practices, incorporating them into service delivery. 

• 3–5 years of experience in luxury hotel event management or group coordination. 
• Proven expertise in delivering high-profile meetings, events, and social functions. 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams. 
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities. 
• Advanced knowledge of event management systems (Opera preferred) and Microsoft Office. 
• Professional appearance, polished demeanor, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. 
• Fluency in English and Italian required, additional languages highly valued. 
• Previous experience within a luxury hotel environment working with LQA, Forbes 5* or equivalent standards.  
• Flexible availability to support a 24-hour operation when needed. 

• A competitive package (base salary and yearly bonus) 

• Medical Insurance, integrating Collective Labor Agreement one and extended to the family 

• Ticket Restaurant 

• Annual leave 

• ALL - Heartist® Program: Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at all Accor locations and partner venues worldwide. 

• Learning & development: Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!  

• Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.