Special Events Manager

About Orient Express

Artisan of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with its luxury trains, hotels, and sailing yachts. The brand has just launched its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome – which will be followed by Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in 2026. The experience continues with the recent launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, followed by Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and finally, the return of L’Orient Express train to railways. Since 2022, Orient Express is part of Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury brands with a century-old legacy in the hotels and fine- dining sectors. In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com.

About Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli

Orient Express will open its second hotel in Italy at the exceptional in Venice. 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. He/She is responsible for the operational management of in-house groups and the coordination of departments from the signing of the contract by sales onwards. In addition to Banquet Event Orders, group resumes will also be part of the tasks.

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.