Convention Services Director

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel; Prior Lake (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Mystic Lake Casino is seeking a Convention Services Director to provide strategic leadership for banquet, catering and convention operations. You will oversee multiple functional areas within the convention center and casino hotel, driving guest satisfaction and revenue growth while upholding operational excellence.

You will lead a team, partner across departments, and shape a long-term strategy for profitable event services in a dynamic resort environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 10+ years in progressive event planning and convention services, casino industry preferred.
• 5+ years of direct people leadership and team development.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, and controlling operating expenses.
• Strong relationships with external vendors and internal partners.

Responsibilities

• Oversee coordination and execution of all banquet and event services.
• Serve as liaison between F&B, Marketing and Group Sales to implement banquet orders.
• Develop and enforce policies, procedures and quality standards.
• Identify ways to maximize revenue by leveraging space on peak/off-peak dates.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop banquet/event staff and leaders.
• Own guest experience from pre-event to post-event, ensuring satisfaction.
• Monitor labor and operating expenses; manage P&L; influence budgeting tools.
• Collaborate with Sales, Executive Chef and Beverage for menu and wine goals.
• Represent the department in internal and public relations contexts.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Event planning

People management

Budgeting

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field

Tools

Audio-Visual basics

Job description

Come join Mystic Lake Casino as a Convention Services Director! In this impactful role, you will provide strategic leadership for all banquet, catering, and convention services operations, overseeing our premier casino resort and entertainment event spaces. You will serve as the driving force behind exceptional event execution, cross-functional collaboration, revenue optimization, and guest satisfaction while ensuring operational excellence across all meeting and event spaces. If you are a visionary leader who excels at developing teams, building strong partnerships, and creating unforgettable experiences for guests and clients, we are looking for you! Enjoy weekly pay and health benefits. Whatever your career goals may be, let Mystic Lake Casino help get you there!

Job Overview:

This position is responsible for leading the efficient and seamless operation of all banquet/convention functions at Mystic Lake Casino. This includes managing individuals responsible for multiple functional areas within the convention center and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and administrative oversite of all banquet and catering events under the leadership of the Director of Food and Beverage Services.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight for coordination and execution of all banquet and event services.
• Operate as primary liaison between F&B, Marketing and Group Sales team to implement
• banquet/catering event orders to ensure clear communication and flawless execution.
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of all policies, procedures, and quality
• standards with the department, utilizing a continuous improvement approach to ensure a
• high quality, cost effective and customer focused operation.
• Identify and implement ways to maximize revenue by developing strategies to utilize available
• space during peak and off-peak dates.
• Partner with department and division leaders to interview, select, hire, and promote team
• members; plan training and development, and manage all aspects of continuous performance
• management.
• Overall ownership of all aspects of event spaces, including identifying and resolving property
• maintenance issues, ensuring functioning equipment, safeguarding assets, and creating a safe
• environment.
• Assist in selecting, evaluating, leading, motivating, and coaching leaders in the Banquets and
• Event Services departments.
• Manage overall guest experience before/during and post events.
• Create a long-term strategic business model for departmental operations to drive increased
• profitability, customer service, and team member engagement.
• Oversee labor and operating expenses through effective budgeting, purchasing and inventory
• control, direct oversight of all departmental P&Ls; provides input into developing tools to
• analyze past performance and upcoming pace.
• Represent department and Gaming Enterprise while on and off-property in a favorable light;
• assist when needed, provide recognition, promote good public relations, and handle
• complaints, concerns or special requests for guests, clients, and group contacts.
• Monitor trends in catering and events; produce comparison shops from local and external
• markets.
• Work closely with Sales and Catering Director, Executive Chef, and Director of Food and
• Beverage Services to design an effective menu and wine list to achieve department revenue
• goals and meet client/guest satisfaction.
• Attend regular operational meetings to ensure effective coordination and cooperation
• between departments.
• Perform other duties as requested by Food & Beverage Leadership

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive event planning, banquets and/or convention services experience; 5+ years of experience managing 100,000+ square feet of flexible and full-service convention/meeting space. Experience in an event planning, banquets or convention services role within the Casino industry strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of direct people leadership experience.
• Significant experience in budgeting, forecasting, managing labor and operational expenses, vendor management and procurement.
• Skilled in building and maintaining strong working relationships with external vendors and internal partners.
• Experience in managing and engaging department/event stakeholders (i.e., Group Sales, Food & Beverage, Audio Visual, Player Development, Hotel, Property & Facilities, Finance).
• Ability to navigate and resolve complex guest concerns in a timely and efficient manner.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment that requires agility, organization, emotional intelligence, and innovation.
• Excellent at communicating and presenting information to all levels of the organization.
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with leading teams, goal setting and creating action plans that drive positive team member engagement and performance.
• Working knowledge of Audio-Visual functionality, design, and operations preferred.

Outstanding Benefits & Awesome Perks:

Enjoy competitive weekly pay, outstanding benefits and advancement opportunities. Generous benefits include medical, dental, life and disability insurance, onsite medical clinics and pharmacy, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, wellness programs and more. Plus, take advantage of perks like discounts on childcare, fuel, bus passes and fitness membership, free uniforms, free uniform cleaning and tuition reimbursement.

Who We Are:

We're not just in the business of entertainment; we're in the business of crafting unforgettable experiences. We believe in the power of possibility, to unite and uplift, rallying around every triumph, big and small. At Mystic Lake and Little Six, every moment is a chance to be the experience.

Different backgrounds, different strengths, and different passions, we value the diversity that everyone brings to the table. Our values are a direct reflection of the diverse communities that we proudly serve, represent, and invest in. We invite you to the place to learn, grow, thrive and lead. Let's create moments that matter, celebrate diversity, and build a brighter future for all.

Be the Experience. Be Bold. Be Mystic.