Associate Director of Events

About the role

The Associate Director of Events supports the Director of Events in leading the strategic planning, execution, and overall success of the Events Department for Hotel Bardo and Hotel Recess. This position is responsible for overseeing a team of Event Managers, ensuring seamless execution of social, corporate, wedding, and group events while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

What you'll do

• Leverage your leadership and team development skills to lead, mentor, and develop the Events team to achieve departmental and individual goals.
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and service-focused culture among the team.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance feedback to Event Managers.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Act as the department leader in the Director's absence.
• Manage a portfolio of high-profile events, weddings, corporate meetings, and social celebrations.
• Build strong relationships with clients from initial planning through post-event follow-up.
• Conduct planning meetings, site visits, menu tastings, and pre-conference meetings.
• Accurately document all event details in event management systems and communicate them to operational departments.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively resolve challenges before they impact the guest experience.
• Oversee execution of all events to ensure adherence to brand standards and client expectations.
• Partner closely with Culinary, Banquets, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Revenue teams to ensure flawless event execution.
• Review Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), rooming lists, diagrams, and billing instructions for accuracy.
• Maintain event quality and guest satisfaction while responding promptly to operational needs.
• Support achievement of departmental revenue and profitability goals.
• Monitor event profitability, food and beverage minimums, labor efficiencies, and upsell opportunities.
• Aid in forecasting, budgeting, and reporting.
• Review final billing for accuracy and ensure timely invoicing and collections.
• Collaborate with the Sales and Catering teams to maximize event revenue.
• Identify opportunities to increase banquet, catering, and ancillary revenue.
• Build relationships with local vendors, wedding planners, corporate partners, and community organizations.
• Participate in networking events, site tours, and industry functions to promote Hotel Bardo and Hotel Recess.
• Maintain accurate client files and event documentation.
• Evaluate compliance with company policies, safety standards, and contractual obligations.
• Prepare departmental reports and participate in weekly revenue, operations, and leadership meetings.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and departmental standard operating procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of luxury hotel event management experience.
• Minimum 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience managing weddings, social events, corporate meetings, and group business.
• Strong knowledge of banquet operations, food & beverage service, and luxury guest expectations.
• Experience with Delphi, Opera, Cvent, or similar event management software preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and coaching
• Exceptional guest service
• Organization and attention to detail
• Financial acumen
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Professional communication
• Time management
• Relationship building
• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Cross-functional collaboration

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands.
• Ability to navigate multiple event spaces during active operations.

Success Measures

• Achievement of catering and event revenue goals
• Client satisfaction and event execution scores
• Team engagement and employee development
• Accuracy of event documentation and billing
• Operational efficiency and communication
• Growth in repeat business and client referrals
• Collaboration with hotel departments and leadership