About Us
Yas Plaza Hotels by Aldar Hospitality is a dynamic collection of six international hotels located in the heart of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. This vibrant destination offers a seamless blend of relaxation, indulgence, and recreation, making it the ultimate gateway to the Yas Island experience.
About the Job
The Cluster Assistant Director MICE is the hands-on commercial and operational leader who owns both sides of the MICE value chain across the cluster: the proactive team that generates, negotiates and closes MICE business (trade shows, roadshows, corporate / PCO / DMC outreach, RFP management), and the reactive team that services confirmed business (pre-con/post-con meetings, BEO creation and updates, banquet liaison, onsite upsell, day-of execution). This role converts pipeline into contracted revenue and then protects and grows on-property meeting revenue and ancillary spend through excellent account handover, operational alignment, and commercial coaching. The role ensures repeat business and a healthy group and events pace in accordance with the overall strategy of the company.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Commercial delivery - proactive
- Lead cluster MICE business development strategy: target segments (PCOs, DMCs, corporate conferences, associations, incentives), and achieve annual targets by hotel and by product (rooms, meeting revenue, F&B, A/V etc)
- Lead and coach the proactive team that represents the cluster at trade shows, roadshows and client events; set trade-show calendar and ROI targets; ensure follow-up cadence and proposal turnaround targets
- Lead RFP responses and commercial negotiation for high value group business; approve pricing frameworks and ensure negotiations meet RevPAR/meeting revenue objectives.
- Maintain CRM discipline for the proactive team: accurate pipeline entry, staged opportunities, and reliable forecasting
Group and event delivery reactive (servicing)
- Own the cluster servicing standards and SOPs for confirmed events: timely pre-con and post-con meetings, accurate and timely Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), rooming list and pick-up management, function sheets, and master billing
- Define and enforce the handover process between proactive and reactive teams (clear timelines, client expectations, single point of contact, escalation path).
- Coach the reactive team to upsell on-site (A/V upgrades, F&B enhancements, breakout rooms, F&B experiences, day-use) and to protect billing integrity
- Ensure banquet operations and event services teams receive complete and correct BEOs and function sheets
Sales operations and commercial alignment
- Work with Revenue Management to align group ceiling, group and event rate structures, concessions, attrition/liquidated damages, space release policies, and meeting space yield management
- Ensure negotiated group and event rates, master accounts, and add-ons are correctly loaded into PMS/CRS/booking tools; monitor pick-up and wash
- Create MICE product packages (day-meetings, hybrid packages, incentive add-ons) to increase conversion
Team leadership & people development
- Line-manage and coach proactive and reactive MICE Sales team: conduct one-on-ones, performance reviews, and deliver targeted coaching to lift conversion and activity levels
- Recruit and onboard new team members when needed; foster a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on delivery
- Provide up-skilling on group and event handling, commercial negotiation, contract compliance, and stakeholder mapping
Cross-functional collaboration
- Work daily with revenue management, banquets/F&B, operations, marketing, distribution, and finance to align pricing, packaging, and promotional activity to maximize conversion and profitability for MICE
- Provide commercial input into product and meeting experience development (event packages, offsite experiences etc) to create compelling, differentiated offers
- Prepare and lead MICE segment plans in weekly and monthly commercial meetings; ensure sales activations support asset revenue targets and brand positioning
Trade shows, partnerships & market representation
- Own trade-show strategy and budget: justify ROI, pre-show appointment setting, post-show conversion follow-up up and pipeline logging
- Build strategic relationships with PCOs, TMCs, DMCs, convention bureaus, corporate travel managers, and local destination partners to capture pipeline and preferred supplier status
- Manage group booking tools and GSO networks to optimize the MICE pipeline and conversion
Reporting, tools & continuous improvement
- Produce regular segment performance reports, action plans, and account health reviews; monitor pipeline KPIs (pace, conversion, upsell revenue, NPS)
- Champion efficient use of CRM, RFP/proposal templates, and automation tools to reduce admin burden and increase selling time
- Maintain and update sales kits, contract templates, and the storytelling playbook for sales use
About You
- Hotel Management graduate specialized in sales
- 6 years of experience in MICE sales
- Strong knowledge of local businesses and business trends, as well as key source markets
- Strong Team Leadership Skills
- Computer literate with effective and outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written
Shape Your Career with Yas Plaza Hotels by Aldar Hospitality
At Yas Plaza Hotels, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Against the vibrant backdrop of Yas Island, you will be part of an inspiring environment where every day brings an opportunity to create meaningful guest experiences. By joining our culture of excellence, your passion for hospitality helps craft unforgettable moments and sets new standards for refined hospitality.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Aldar is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate all forms of diversity and remain committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all applicants and employees. We will ensure that all candidates are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process, be considered for a range of critical job functions and receive other benefits and privileges of employment, ensuring equitable opportunities and accessibility for all. Please contact us to request accommodation. Your data will be treated confidentially
