Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and highly organized Director of Banquets to lead our banquet and event services team in our ultra-luxury Resort. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in hospitality management, event planning, and customer service, with a proven track record of overseeing large-scale events and ensuring exceptional guest experiences. As the Director of Banquets, you will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of banquet operations, from planning and marketing to execution and post-event follow-up. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape memorable events while driving revenue growth through strategic upselling and effective team leadership.
The successful candidate will be accountable for the overall success of the Banquets Department. Demonstrates their knowledge by leading the team to accomplish daily goals. Ensures the highest level of service by training and developing staff and executing the requirements of events based on standards. Sees themself as support to the Sales Team and understands who the client is. Drives customer satisfaction and capitalizes on revenue during the event phase of a function. Provides clear and concise communications to everyone having ownership in the success of the event. Monitors and controls financial and administrative responsibilities to meet or exceed department goals.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the planning, organization, coordination, and execution of all banquet events, ensuring they meet quality standards and client expectations.
- Develop and implement product and service strategies for banquet services to reatin existing and attract new clients.
- Manage event budgets, control costs, and maximize profitability through effective budgeting and upselling techniques.
- Lead, train, and motivate the banquet team to deliver outstanding guest services consistently.
- Collaborate with catering, culinary, and hospitality teams to ensure seamless event execution from setup to breakdown.
- Monitor guest feedback post-event to identify areas for improvement and implement service enhancements accordingly.
- Foster strong relationships with clients through excellent communication skills, ensuring repeat business and positive referrals.
Skills
- Proven experience in event planning, events management, and banquet operations within hospitality or hotel environments.
- Strong customer service orientation with excellent communication skills tailored to diverse clientele.
- Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously under tight deadlines.
- Knowledge of budgeting principles, catering operations, restaurant or hotel experience preferred.
- Skilled in upselling additional services or packages to enhance revenue opportunities during events.
- Familiarity with fundraising activities related to hospitality or community events is a plus.
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or GED; 4 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area. OR
- 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; 2 years experience in the event management, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or related professional area.
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Managing Banquet Operations
- Plans properly for all events.
- Projects supply needs for the department, (e.g., china, glass, silver, buffet presentations, props).
- Applies knowledge of all laws, as they relate to an event.
- Uses banquet beverage “Use” records to control liquor costs and manage the banquet beverage perpetual inventory.
- Ensures accurate and tiomely customer billing for banquet events.
- Ensures coordination and execution throughout the event.
- Attends pre-conference and resume meetings to ensure specifications of the group event are well executed.
Leading Banquet Team
- Attends and participates in all pertinent meetings.
- Leads shifts and actively participates in the servicing of events.
- Leads discussions to review scheduled events and proactively avoid service challenges and failures.
- Incorporates guest satisfaction as a component of departmental meetings with a focus on continuous improvement.
Managing Profitability
- Assists team in developing lasting relationships with groups to retain business and increase growth.
- Manages department controllable expenses to achieve or exceed budgeted goals.
- "Stewards" all supplies so they are in supply when needed.
Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service
- Anticipates guests' needs and responds promptly.
- Displays leadership in guest hospitality, exemplifies excellent customer service and creates a positive atmosphere for guest relations.
- Handles guest problems and complaints.
- Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
- Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service.
- Strives to improve service performance.
Conducting Human Resources Activities
- Communicates and executes departmental and property emergency procedures and ensures staff are trained in safety procedures.
- Observes service behaviors of employees and provides feedback to individuals and/or managers.
- Interviews and hires management and hourly employees with the appropriate skills to meet the business needs of the operation.
- Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently.
- Monitors and manages the payroll function.
- Schedules banquet service staff to forecast and service standards, while maximizing profits.
- Ensures employees are treated fairly and equitably.
- Effectively schedules to business demands and for tracking of employee time and attendance.
- Celebrates successes and publicly recognizes the contributions of team members.
- Strives to improve employee retention.
- Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations.
- Sets goals and delegates tasks to improve departmental performance.
- Provides additional training to employees of other departments when additional assistance is needed for larger functions.
At Next Hospitality, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.
Attracting the world’s top hospitality professionals is our job. Those who curate lifelong memories, we believe that everyone succeeds when they are empowered to be creative, thoughtful and compassionate.
Every day, we set the standard for rare and special luxury service and pride ourselves on delivering excellence in the care and comfort of our guests.
Your role will be to ensure that the our standards are delivered graciously and thoughtfully every day.
Join us as we deliver extraordinary banquet experiences that delight guests and elevate our venue’s reputation through innovative planning, exceptional service, and strategic growth initiatives!
Pay: $85,000.00 - $96,071.29 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Education:
Experience:
- Events management: 10 years (Required)
Language:
- English & Spanish (Required)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Napa, CA 94559 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Napa, CA 94559: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
