Burning Tree Country Club
Director of Events
Department: Food & Beverage Reports To: Clubhouse Manager Direct Reports: Banquet Manager, Banquet Captain Classification: Exempt
Position Summary
Burning Tree Country Club is one of Connecticut's premier private clubs, recognized for exceptional hospitality, personalized service, and a vibrant calendar of Member experiences.
As the Club continues to invest in its future—including the development of our new Aquatics & Recreation Center—we are seeking an experienced hospitality professional to lead our Events Department and help shape the next generation of Member programming, celebrations, and special events.
The Director of Events provides strategic leadership for the Club's events program, overseeing the planning, execution, and financial performance of all Member social events, private functions, weddings, golf outings, meetings, holiday celebrations, and family programming.
This highly visible leadership role partners closely with Members, clients, the Social Committee, department leaders, and the Executive Team to create memorable experiences while ensuring operational excellence, exceptional service, and strong financial results.
Who We Are
Founded in 1962, Burning Tree Country Club is proud to be the family-oriented private club of choice in the Greenwich area. We are committed to providing exceptional experiences for our Members and guests through personalized service and a culture built on teamwork, professionalism, authenticity, consistency, excellence, and innovation.
Our Club features:
- An 18-hole championship golf course that has hosted U.S. Open Qualifiers and Met PGA events
- An eight-lane, 25-meter swimming pool with diving well
- Har-Tru tennis courts and a platform tennis complex
- Multiple dining venues, including The Grille Room, Founders Bar, Patio, and Salons
- A robust calendar of Member events and junior programming in golf, tennis, aquatics, and family activities
Every employee plays an important role in delivering the first-class hospitality our Members have come to expect. We are looking for leaders who inspire their teams, embrace collaboration, and continually raise the standard of service across the Club.
Who You Are
You are an experienced hospitality leader who is passionate about creating exceptional experiences and building strong relationships. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, lead with professionalism, and are driven by a commitment to excellence. You:
- Have a proven track record of planning and executing high-end private events
- Excel at building relationships with Members, guests, and colleagues
- Communicate with confidence, professionalism, and diplomacy
- Lead by example while developing and inspiring your team
- Possess exceptional organizational, planning, and time management skills
- Thrive in a dynamic environment while successfully managing multiple events and priorities
- Demonstrate outstanding attention to detail and a commitment to delivering flawless execution
- Approach challenges with creativity, flexibility, and a solutions-oriented mindset
- Have experience with event planning software, budgeting, and banquet operations (preferred)
- Are passionate about delivering personalized service that consistently exceeds Member expectations
As the Director of Events, you are responsible for leading all aspects of the Club's private events program, creating memorable experiences that reflect Burning Tree Country Club's commitment to authenticity, consistency, excellence, and innovation. You will partner closely with Members, vendors, and department leaders to ensure every event is executed seamlessly while fostering collaboration, accountability, and an exceptional culture of hospitality.
Essentials
The Director of Events & Member Experiences is responsible for the strategic leadership and day-to-day success of the Club's event operations:
- Lead the planning and execution of all Member social events, family programming, weddings, private functions, golf outings, meetings, and Club celebrations.
- Develop and manage the Club's annual social calendar in partnership with the Executive Team and Social Committee.
- Drive the development of innovative programming and new event opportunities within the Club's Aquatics & Recreation Center and other evolving venues.
- Build lasting relationships with Members, guests, and private event clients by delivering personalized, attentive hospitality.
- Oversee the entire event lifecycle, including inquiries, proposals, contracts, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), timelines, on-site execution, and post-event follow-up.
- Manage the department's operating budget while monitoring labor performance, pricing strategies, and revenue goals.
- Identify opportunities to grow private event business while protecting and enhancing the Member experience.
- Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing Events team that reflects the Club's service standards.
- Partner with Culinary, Food & Beverage, Golf, Racquets, Aquatics, Youth, Facilities, and other departments to deliver seamless events and exceptional service.
- Establish and maintain efficient operating procedures, organizational systems, and communication standards that support consistent execution.
- Honor the Club's valued traditions while introducing fresh, relevant, and memorable experiences that strengthen Member engagement.
Expectations
The Director is expected to:
- Lead with integrity, professionalism, and emotional intelligence.
- Demonstrate exceptional hospitality.
- Inspire confidence among Members and employees.
- Build collaborative relationships throughout the Club.
- Communicate proactively and effectively.
- Solve problems calmly and decisively.
- Embrace continuous improvement.
- Hold themselves and others accountable.
- Represent Burning Tree Country Club with pride.
Standards
Preferred qualifications include:
- Five or more years of progressive leadership experience in private clubs, luxury hotels, resorts, event venues, or high-end hospitality.
- Proven success managing member/client events, weddings, private functions, and large-scale social programming.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, labor, pricing, profitability, and revenue performance.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong knowledge of food and beverage operations, event planning, and luxury service standards.
- Ability to remain composed, adaptable, and decisive in a fast-paced environment.
- Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field preferred.
- Private club experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience with Jonas Club Software or a similar club management system preferred.
What success looks like at BTCC
Leadership Philosophy
At Burning Tree Country Club, the Director of Events is more than an event professional; they are a hospitality leader.
Success in this role is measured not only by flawlessly executed events, but by the relationships built, the teams developed, the traditions created, and the lasting memories experienced by our Members and guests.
This dynamic leader champions authenticity, embraces innovation, cultivates consistency, and strives for excellence, using every interaction to reflect Burning Tree Country Club's culture and standards.
The successful candidate will:
- Increase Member engagement through creative and inclusive programming.
- Successfully activate new and existing Club venues through thoughtful events and experiences.
- Grow private event revenue while maintaining strong operational standards.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and well-communicated Banquet Event Orders.
- Develop an engaged, accountable, and service-oriented Events team.
- Build strong partnerships across every department of the Club.
- Introduce new ideas while honoring the traditions that are meaningful to Burning Tree’s membership.
Physical Requirements
This position requires the ability to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Lift up to 30 pounds.
- Work indoors and outdoors.
- Navigate stairs and multiple event venues.
- Work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during peak event seasons.
