Banquets & Special Events Director (Salary)

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel seeks a Director of Banquets and Special Events to lead all banquet and special event operations, ensuring flawless execution and exceptional client service. You will collaborate with Culinary, Catering, Conference Services, and F&B to deliver memorable experiences while guiding revenue growth and cost management.

The role requires a 4-year college degree or equivalent, 2+ years in related events, and proven leadership and relationship-building skills to elevate our resort

Qualifications

• 4-year college degree or higher required.
• Minimum 2 years related banquet/events experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication and guest-service skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all banquet and special event operations to ensure exceptional client service and flawless execution.
• Drive department revenue and profitability; manage payroll, beverage, and expenses.
• Collaborate with Culinary, Catering, F&B and related departments to deliver seamless events.
• Develop and coach team members; implement training to raise service standards.
• Maintain strong client relationships and ensure convention specifications are met.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Client relations

Operations leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Division: Management & Non-Union (MAN010)

Band 4

MKR Director of Banquets and Special Events

Aloha & Welcome to Something Exceptional

At Mauna Kea Resort, every event is an opportunity to create unforgettable experiences. From intimate celebrations and luxury weddings to large-scale conferences, banquets, and signature resort events, our Banquet and Special Events team brings the spirit of Aloha to life through exceptional service, creative execution, and meticulous attention to detail. As part of our iconic collection of resorts, we are committed to delivering memorable experiences that exceed expectations and showcase the highest standards of hospitality.

We are seeking a Director of Banquets and Special Events who is a dynamic and strategic hospitality leader with a passion for service excellence, operational leadership, and event innovation. This role is ideal for a results-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building strong client relationships, and has a proven ability to lead teams in delivering exceptional events while achieving financial and operational goals.

Our culture is built on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. We empower our leaders to inspire their teams, develop innovative solutions, and create experiences that leave lasting impressions on our guests and clients. Here, your leadership will shape the success of one of the resort's most visible and impactful operations while fostering a culture of excellence, engagement, and teamwork.

As a Hawaii Business Magazine "Best Places to Work" recipient for five consecutive years, we are committed to investing in our people through competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, career development opportunities, recognition programs, and outstanding travel perks through Marriott and Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

If you are ready to lead exceptional events, inspire high-performing teams, and contribute to the continued success of one of Hawaiʻi's premier resort destinations, we invite you to join us.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

As Director of Banquets and Special Events, you will oversee all banquet and special event operations at Mauna Kea Resort, ensuring exceptional client service, flawless event execution, and strong financial performance. You will provide leadership and direction to the Banquet team while collaborating closely with Culinary, Catering and Conference Services, Food & Beverage, Stewarding, and other operational departments to deliver seamless and memorable event experiences.

This role is responsible for driving department revenue and profitability, maintaining operational excellence, developing and coaching team members, and ensuring all events are executed to the highest standards of quality and professionalism. The Director of Banquets and Special Events will serve as a key partner in creating innovative event experiences while fostering strong client relationships and ensuring that every banquet, meeting, conference, wedding, and resort event reflects the exceptional hospitality standards of Mauna Kea Resort.

Essential Duties:

1. Review all written communication, i.e., resumes, daily/weekly, Banquet Event Orders to determine appropriate staffing levels, room/station assignments, buffet décor and enhancements as they relate to banquets and meeting room set‑ups. Responsible for the appropriate and timely set up of all functions and meetings while maintaining standards of food, beverage and meeting specifications.


2. Maintain a strong client relationship and ensuring that all convention specifications are communicated to and executed by all hotel operating departments making for a successful meeting experience for the meeting planner and attendees.


3. Work with the Director of Catering and Conference Services, Executive Chef, Director of F&B, and Director of Restaurants in ensuring an exceptional guest experience through:


4. Delivery of restaurant-quality service


5. Timely, consistent, and detailed event sets and maintenance


6. Development of creative event and meeting presentations


7. Manage the Mauna Kea Luau, including operations, staffing, vendors, and third-party sales.


8. Manage, in conjunction with the Executive Steward, the inventory, control and breakage/loss reduction of china, glass and silver as it relates to function services and banquet services.


9. Manage the Banquet Houseman team to ensure proper care and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and props.


10. Develop and manage annual Banquet Department capital improvement projects.


11. Responsible for the development and implementation of a training plan to ensure a high quality presentation and level of customer service within the Banquet and Outlet service staff.


12. Work with the individual outlet managers to improve and maintain food and beverage quality, service cleanliness, merchandising, and promotions.


13. Move throughout facilities and kitchen areas to visually monitor and take action to ensure food quality and service standards are met.


14. Maintain profitability of the Banquet departments to support overall hotel operation. Direct the control of payroll, beverage, and controllable expenses to minimize loss and misuse.


15. Maintain a cooperative working relationship with other departments.


16. Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

Other Duties:

1. Attend division and hotel meetings and events.


2. Meet regularly with Director of Food and Beverage to review Banquet performance.


3. Perform administrative tasks such as processing of Banquet gratuities, budgets and forecasting, scheduling, and manager/team member coaching and counseling.


4. Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

1. Outdoors, both covered and exposed areas of the resort


2. Indoors, typical office environment

Work Hours:

1. Must be able to work schedule determined by the Director of F&B


2. Must be able to work long and irregular hours (including evenings for special events as needed).


3. Must be able to work in excess of 40 hours per week.

Equipment Use:

1. Proficient in the use of a computer and with the resort’s word, spreadsheet and other required software.


2. Ability to use the telephone


3. Ability to use various office equipment including but not limited to calculators, photocopiers and facsimile machines.

Mental and Physical Demands:

1. Ability to prioritize and organize workload to ensure deadlines are met.


2. Able to manage stressful and challenging situations.


3. Able to stand and walk up to 8 hours in a day in an outdoor environment.


4. Able to sit at a desk to do administrative duties.


5. Lift, carry, push and pull up to 50 lbs.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

1. 4 year college with degree; or minimum 2 years related work experience


2. Must be personable, tactful, patient, tolerant, assertive and self-motivated.