Wicked Event Management is a Gold Coast-based event and group travel company specialising in creating memorable group experiences across Australia and New Zealand

We organise everything from hens parties, bucks and stag events to sporting and team travel, celebrations, group getaways and small events. Behind every successful event is a well-organised bookings team, strong supplier relationships and exceptional customer service.

We are looking for an experienced Reservations & Event Bookings Manager to take ownership of our reservations department and oversee group bookings from the initial reservation through to successful event delivery.

This is a hands-on senior management position for someone who is highly organised, commercially minded, confident leading a team and comfortable managing a large volume of bookings in a fast-paced environment with seasonal peaks.

A major part of this position will also be the management and continued development of our supplier network, including maintaining relationships with our existing suppliers and actively sourcing, negotiating with and onboarding new suppliers across Australia and New Zealand as the business grows.

Ideally, you will have at least two years' management or supervisory experience, with previous experience in travel, tourism, reservations, events, accommodation, group bookings or a related industry.

The Role

As the Reservations & Event Bookings Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operation of the reservations department while managing a portfolio of group bookings across Australia and New Zealand

You will be a key point of contact between our customers, internal team and supplier network, ensuring bookings are accurate, payments remain on schedule, suppliers are properly coordinated, and every component of an event is organised and delivered correctly.

You will also play an significant role in expanding Wicked Event Management's supplier network by identifying new experiences, accommodation providers, venues, transport operators and other tourism and event suppliers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage a high volume of group bookings from initial confirmation through to event completion.

- Oversee the day-to-day workflow and performance of the reservations department.

- Manage, support and allocate work to booking assistants and other reservations staff.

- Coordinate accommodation, activities, venues, transport, experiences and other event arrangements with suppliers.

- Ensure suppliers are confirmed, prepared and fully briefed ahead of upcoming groups.

- Maintain accurate booking records and closely monitor the progress of all upcoming events.

- Ensure booking deadlines, customer requirements and supplier commitments are met.

- Provide a high level of customer service throughout the entire booking journey.

- Communicate regularly with customers regarding arrangements, payments, outstanding information, changes and important event details.

- Identify potential booking issues early and take ownership of resolving them.

- Develop processes and procedures that improve the efficiency, accuracy and performance of the reservations department.

Customer Payments & Accounts

A key responsibility of this position is ensuring customer payments remain on schedule and bookings are financially managed correctly.

You will be responsible for:

- Monitoring customer payment schedules and outstanding balances.

- Ensuring deposits, instalments and final balances are received by their required due dates.





- Professionally following up with customers when payments become overdue.

- Clearly communicating payment deadlines and requirements.

- Maintaining accurate records of payments received and amounts outstanding.

- Identifying overdue or potentially at-risk bookings early and taking appropriate action.

- Coordinating customer payment schedules with supplier deposit and final payment requirements.

- Preparing and organising invoices, payment records and relevant financial documentation for the bookkeeping team.

- Ensuring customer payments and supplier commitments are appropriately coordinated to protect the business and maintain smooth event delivery.

The successful candidate must be comfortable having professional conversations regarding money and confident following up outstanding balances when required.

Supplier Management & Development

Our supplier network is a critical part of Wicked Event Management, and this position will take significant responsibility for both managing existing supplier relationships and expanding our network of suppliers.

You will be responsible for:

- Building and maintaining strong, professional relationships with existing suppliers.

- Acting as a key point of contact between Wicked Event Management and our supplier network.

- Managing suppliers across accommodation, activities, attractions, venues, transport, hospitality, tourism experiences and other event services.

- Maintaining regular communication regarding upcoming bookings, availability, operational changes and special requirements.

- Ensuring supplier invoices, confirmations, deposits and payment deadlines are managed correctly.

- Resolving supplier booking issues, discrepancies or service concerns quickly and professionally.

- Negotiating rates, packages, commissions, allocations, terms and commercial arrangements where appropriate.

- Maintaining a strong understanding of supplier products, pricing, terms, cancellation policies and operational requirements.

- Reviewing existing supplier arrangements and identifying opportunities to improve pricing, service levels, inclusions and customer experience.

- Ensuring Wicked Event Management remains a reliable, organised and valued business partner to our suppliers.

Sourcing New Suppliers

As the business continues to grow, you will also be responsible for actively developing our supplier network across Australia and New Zealand.

This will include:

- Researching and identifying new suppliers, activities, experiences, venues, accommodation providers and transport operators.

- Proactively contacting potential suppliers and establishing new business relationships.

- Identifying supplier gaps within existing destinations and sourcing suitable alternatives or additional options.

- Developing supplier networks in new destinations as the business expands.

- Comparing products, pricing, commissions, service standards and commercial terms.

- Negotiating competitive rates and preferred supplier arrangements.

- Assessing whether new suppliers meet our service, operational and customer experience standards.

- Coordinating the onboarding of approved suppliers into our booking processes and systems.





- Maintaining accurate supplier contact details, rates, booking procedures, terms and product information.

- Continually looking for recent products and experiences that could strengthen our packages and create additional opportunities for the business.

We are looking for someone who enjoys building commercial relationships and is confident picking up the phone, introducing the business and developing new partnerships.

Booking Accuracy & Event Delivery

You will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of accuracy across all bookings and ensuring events are properly prepared before delivery.

This includes:

- Ensuring tickets, itineraries, confirmations and customer documentation are accurate and delivered on time.

- Thoroughly checking booking information before it is provided to customers or suppliers.

- Confirming customer numbers, dates, times, venues, inclusions, transport arrangements and payment details.

- Ensuring changes to bookings are communicated promptly to all relevant parties.

- Obtaining and checking supplier confirmations ahead of each event.

- Ensuring suppliers have all necessary customer and operational information.

- Identifying and resolving potential problems before they affect the customer.

- Managing last-minute changes, cancellations and supplier issues professionally and efficiently.

- Ensuring the reservations team follows consistent booking and checking procedures.

- Taking ownership of ensuring every event is properly prepared before the customer arrives.

About You

We are looking for someone who is confident, organised and capable of taking ownership of a busy reservations department.

You will need to be comfortable making decisions, managing staff, communicating with customers, negotiating with suppliers, following up payments and managing a large number of bookings without compromising accuracy or customer service.

You will ideally have:

- A minimum of three years experience in a management or supervisory position.

- Previous experience in travel, tourism, events, reservations, accommodation, or group bookings.

- Experience managing multiple bookings, customers or projects simultaneously.

- Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage, support and develop a bookings team.

- Excellent customer service skills with a genuine focus on delivering a positive customer experience.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Strong supplier and relationship management skills.

- Confidence sourcing, approaching and developing relationships with new suppliers.

- Confidence negotiating rates and commercial arrangements.

- Confidence discussing payments and professionally following up on outstanding balances.

- Exceptional attention to detail.

- Strong organisational and administrative skills.

- Excellent time management and the ability to prioritise competing deadlines.

- Experience working with reservation, CRM, travel or booking systems.

- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond quickly when plans change.

- The ability to remain calm, organised and professional during high-pressure and peak booking periods.

- The ability to work independently while contributing positively to the wider team.

- Commercial awareness and an understanding of the importance of supplier pricing, margins and service standards.

- A proactive attitude and willingness to take responsibility rather than waiting for issues to be escalated.

- A genuine interest in developing new products, supplier partnerships and destinations for the business.

📌 Reservations & Event Bookings Manager (Surfers Paradise)
🏢 Wicked Event Management
📍 Surfers Paradise