Director Groups & Events | One&Only Aesthesis, Athens 
(21768)

At One&Only, we exist to create joy for our guests through anticipation, creativity, precision, empathy and warmth. We tailor every aspect of our guests’ stay to bring their dreams and desires to life. With an atmosphere that’s chic but wonderfully unstuffy™, and a team who are meticulous but warm, we seek to exceed our guests’ expectations at every possible turn. 

Wrapped in ancient mythology in the heart of the Athenian Riviera, where lavender lands meet sapphire waters and our collection of rooms, suites and villas embody the timeless glamour of the Aegean. The warm Mediterranean hospitality is one of our most unique and valued assets. With abundant knowledge and generosity, we anticipate our guest’s every need and surpass expectations. Whether we are designing the perfect family day out or arranging a romantic private dinner, we approach everything with imagination to spark a sense of playfulness, discovery and adventure. This is not simply our job, it’s our passion.

Job Summary
The Director of Groups & Events leads the Groups & Events team and is accountable for the commercial performance, conversion and planning of group and event business at One&Only Aesthesis. The portfolio includes corporate groups, meetings, incentives, weddings, social celebrations, private events and resort buyouts, with and without accommodation.
Reporting to the Director of Sales & Marketing, the role translates the resort’s commercial strategy into clear team priorities, profitable business and consistently high standards of client service. The Director oversees the journey from enquiry and contracting through detailed planning, operational handover and post-event follow-up.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Team leadership and development

• Lead, coach and develop the Groups & Events sales and planning team, setting clear responsibilities, individual objectives and performance expectations.
• Allocate enquiries, accounts and confirmed events according to business priorities, expertise and workload; maintain effective coverage and continuity during absences.
• Run regular pipeline, planning and performance meetings, removing obstacles and ensuring timely decisions and follow-up.
• Support recruitment, induction, training, succession planning and performance reviews in partnership with the Director of Sales & Marketing and Human Resources.
• Plan team schedules and leave in line with business needs and resort procedures, escalating staffing gaps and resource requirements early.

Commercial strategy and conversion

• Develop and execute the Groups & Events sales plan with the Director of Sales & Marketing, supporting revenue targets, market positioning and demand during shoulder and winter periods.
• Lead the enquiry pipeline and conversion process, ensuring prompt responses, tailored proposals, disciplined follow-up and accurate forecasting.
• Work with Revenue Management and Food & Beverage to assess rates, space allocation, minimum spends, concessions and the total value and profitability of each opportunity.
• Oversee negotiations and contracting within approved authority, ensuring commercial terms, cancellation conditions, deposits and payment schedules follow resort policies.
• Build relationships with key corporate clients, luxury agencies, event and wedding planners, destination management companies and relevant partners.
• Personally lead strategic negotiations, major site inspections and presentations for high-value groups, events and buyouts; represent the resort at relevant sales activities.
• Identify opportunities to grow accommodation, dining, wellness and experience revenue through relevant proposals and collaboration across departments.

Event planning and operational coordination

• Oversee the transition from signed contract to planning, ensuring complete files, clear ownership and consistent communication with clients.
• Ensure accurate and timely Group Resumes and Banquet Event Orders, covering room blocks, schedules, set-ups, menus, technical requirements, billing instructions and approved changes.
• Lead or oversee pre-convention and event coordination meetings, confirming departmental responsibilities, readiness and outstanding actions.
• Maintain a clear handover to Banqueting and operational departments. Groups & Events owns sales, client planning and communication; Banqueting, under Food & Beverage, owns event set-up, service and on-site execution.
• Act as the senior commercial escalation point for clients and the team, coordinating solutions with relevant department heads while protecting agreed commitments and brand standards.
• Ensure indoor alternatives, weather contingencies, capacity limits and required approvals are addressed during planning with Operations.
• Oversee post-event feedback, account reviews and rebooking opportunities; coordinate billing reconciliation and outstanding payments with Finance.

Reporting and standards

• Maintain accurate CRM and event systems, including booking status, account activity, forecasts, deposits, lost business reasons and planning documentation.
• Review pace, conversion, revenue, profitability indicators and client feedback; recommend corrective actions to the Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, data confidentiality, contracting procedures and applicable resort policies; maintain clear records and approval trails.

Skills Experience and Educational Requirements

• Proven leadership experience in groups and events within luxury hospitality, with a track record of managing and developing sales and planning teams.
• Typically at least seven years of relevant hospitality experience, including three years in a senior Groups & Events management role.
• Demonstrated success in converting and managing complex groups, corporate events, weddings and high-value private events; buyout experience is an advantage.
• Strong commercial judgment, negotiation skills and understanding of group pricing, forecasting, event profitability and total resort revenue.
• Sound knowledge of event planning, room blocks, contracts, Group Resumes, Banquet Event Orders, operational handovers and billing processes.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, allocate workloads and maintain clear accountability in a demanding resort environment.
• Excellent relationship management, presentation and written and verbal communication skills in English and Greek; additional languages are an advantage.
• Understanding of luxury clients, international markets and the expectations of ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
• Proficiency in CRM, hotel sales and event management systems and Microsoft Office.
• University or college degree in Hospitality, Business Administration or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Our brand is expanding faster than ever before. We are investing in the growth of our company, and that means we are committed to investing in you. Join a team that is open-hearted, intuitive, generous, and spontaneous in spirit. We believe in making our guests happy beyond anything they have ever imagined. We wow them at every turn and create memories that will last a lifetime. You will be at the heart of this vision, to constantly innovate to deliver Amazing Experiences and Everlasting Memories.