Luxury Banquets Director — Guest Experience & Strategy

Cliff House Maine; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Cliff House Maine seeks a Director of Banquets to lead the strategic vision and operational excellence of all Front of House banquet and event experiences, setting the tone for service culture across the department.

The role accountable for the banquet division's financial performance, service standards, and team leadership, partnering with Sales, Event Planning, and Culinary leadership to deliver seamless, memorable events that reflect the property’s luxury brand promise.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive banquet or event management experience, ideally within a luxury resort or high-volume hospitality environment.
• Demonstrated experience owning departmental budgets, labor management, and financial reporting.
• Strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders.
• Polished, professional presence and demeanor, with the poise and discretion expected in a luxury hospitality setting.
• Familiarity with Forbes service standards strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall guest experience and service quality across all banquet and event functions, from intimate gatherings to large-scale, high-profile events.
• Set and uphold service standards that meet or exceed luxury/Forbes-level expectations, continuously evaluating and evolving standards to stay ahead of guest expectations and industry trends.
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Event Planning, and Culinary leadership to ensure flawless execution and alignment on client vision, from initial planning through event delivery.
• Represent the banquet department in property-wide leadership discussions, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Oversees the banquet department's P&L, driving labor efficiency, cost control, and revenue optimization within budgetary and forecasted guidelines.
• Analyze operational and financial performance data to identify opportunities for margin improvement and service enhancement.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing banquet team, overseeing recruitment, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Cultivate a strong service culture rooted in the brand's hospitality standards, acting as a role model and mentor for team leaders and staff at all levels.
• Drive alignment across the team on service philosophy, guest engagement, and brand expectations.
• Serve as the point of contact for guest concerns related to banquet and event services, ensuring timely and thoughtful resolution.
• Anticipate guest needs and proactively elevate the experience beyond expectations, reinforcing Cliff House Maine's reputation for premium service.
• Champion consistency in brand voice and service delivery across every banquet touchpoint.

Skills

Banquet management

Budget ownership

Team leadership

Communication

Forbes standards familiarity

Job description

Cliff House Maine seeks a Director of Banquets to lead the strategic vision and operational excellence of all Front of House banquet and event experiences, setting the tone for service culture across the department.

The role accountable for the banquet division's financial performance, service standards, and team leadership, partnering with Sales, Event Planning, and Culinary leadership to deliver seamless, memorable events that reflect the property’s luxury brand promise.