Director of Banquets & Multi-Venue Events

Zohorecruit; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University in Auburn, AL, seeks a Director of Banquets & Multi-Venue Events to lead all banquet, catering, conference, and special event operations across its luxury venues. This role drives financial performance, champions service standards, and builds high-performing teams in a AAA Four Diamond environment.

Collaborating with Sales, Culinary, and Operations, you will optimize space use, manage budgets and labor, and ensure flawless execution of weddings, galas, and corporate conferences

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive banquet leadership experience.
• 2+ years leading large-scale banquet or multi-venue operations.
• Proven budgets, labor productivity, and P&L management.
• Expertise in luxury banquet operations and AAA Four Diamond standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all banquet and events across multi-venue spaces.
• Maintain luxury service standards aligned with AAA Four Diamond environment.
• Develop annual goals, budgets, forecasts, and KPI monitoring.
• Recruit, coach, and develop banquet leadership and hourly teams.
• Oversee major weddings, corporate conferences, donor galas, and large activations.
• Collaborate with Sales, Culinary, Marketing, and Operations to optimize space usage.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and alcohol service standards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Team development

Operational excellence

Event operations

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Microsoft Office

Event software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality

Tools

Banquet software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Director of Banquets & Multi-Venue Events

Auburn University, United States

Job Description: Director of Banquets & Multi-Venue Events

Position Overview

The Director of Banquets & Events provides strategic and operational leadership for all banquet, catering, conference, and special event operations across a multi-venue luxury hospitality portfolio. This position is responsible for driving departmental financial performance, maintaining operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and ensuring the successful execution of premier hospitality experiences across diverse event spaces.

Working collaboratively with Sales, Catering & Conference Services, Culinary, Marketing, and key stakeholder partners, the Director advances organizational goals while delivering exceptional guest experiences consistent with AAA Four Diamond service standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

Provide overarching operational leadership for all banquet and catered events across multi-use venue spaces, indoor/outdoor facilities, and approved off-site locations.

Establish and maintain luxury service standards consistent with a AAA Four Diamond environment.

Develop annual departmental goals aligned with overall corporate strategic objectives.

Continuously evaluate operational workflows and implement innovative initiatives that improve service, efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction.

Drive innovation in banquet service styles, event execution, hospitality technology, and operational systems.

Recruit, interview, select, onboard, coach, mentor, and develop banquet leadership and hourly team members.

Foster a workplace culture centered on servant leadership, accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Conduct regular performance evaluations, succession planning, and career development discussions.

Develop comprehensive annual training plans and oversee completion of onboarding, safety certifications, and ongoing professional development.

Enhance employee engagement through active recognition, cross-training opportunities, and regular departmental communications.

Maintain total accountability for the financial performance of the Banquet and Events Department.

Formulate and manage annual operating budgets, monthly forecasts, and business outlooks.

Monitor key financial metrics and KPIs, including revenue, labor costs, food and beverage costs, productivity, event profitability, forecast accuracy, and overtime control.

Implement strategic labor models that maximize guest service while adhering to strict productivity targets.

Identify and cultivate revenue enhancement opportunities, including premium service upgrades, specialty bar packages, equipment rentals, and bespoke activation concepts.

Oversee cost-control initiatives without compromising the guest experience or brand standards.

Participate in capital expenditure planning for equipment, furniture, technology, and facility enhancements.

Event Execution & Client Relations

Provide executive-level leadership for high-profile weddings, corporate conferences, donor galas, executive retreats, VIP receptions, and large-scale community activations.

Personally oversee major functions to ensure flawless execution and high client satisfaction.

Partner with clients, event planners, and external stakeholders throughout the planning and execution phases.

Utilize operational planning tools, force-casting models, and Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to optimize staffing and resource allocation.

Champion continuous improvement by reviewing post-event feedback, financial returns, and operational metrics.

Sales & Conference Services: Partner closely to maximize space utilization and revenue while ensuring operational feasibility; participate in pre-convention meetings, menu discussions, floor plan design, and major client presentations.

Culinary Team: Collaborate on menu development, seasonal offerings, service timing, and presentation; participate in tastings and ensure front-of-house teams hold deep product knowledge.

Property Operations & Facilities: Ensure approximately 25,000+ square feet of event space, along with off-site venues, are maintained to immaculate presentation and cleanliness standards. Ensure preventive maintenance programs are strictly followed.

Community & Educational Partnerships: Support experiential learning, student internships, mentoring, and event shadowing programs where applicable.

Compliance & Administration

Prepare detailed monthly operational and financial performance reports for senior executive leadership.

Active leadership and participation in weekly strategy, operations, BEO, and forecasting meetings.

Maintain comprehensive departmental SOPs, training manuals, and administrative records.

Enforce strict compliance with all local, state, and federal health, safety, sanitation, and alcohol service standards (e.g., ServSafe, Responsible Vendor guidelines).

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive banquet leadership experience, including at least 2 years leading a large-scale banquet, conference center, or multi-venue event operation.

Proven track record in luxury hotel banquet operations, conference centers, or multi-unit hospitality groups required.

Demonstrated history of successfully managing departmental budgets, labor productivity models, and P&L outcomes.

Knowledge & Skills

In-depth expertise in luxury banquet operations within a AAA Four Diamond (or equivalent) environment.

Strong financial acumen with advanced capabilities in budgeting, forecasting, and labor management.

Proven ability to build, train, and retain high-performing, service-oriented teams.

Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and manage multiple complex event operations simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and industry-standard banquet/event management software.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shift execution.

Ability to lift and transport equipment/items up to 50 lbs. as necessary.

Flexibility to work varied schedules, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays according to business demand.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.