We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and entrepreneurial Events Director to lead and grow the private events program for a new fine dining Italian restaurant concept. This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing the vision, sales performance, operational excellence, and long-term growth of all events in the restaurant.
As the Director of Events, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of event operations, from initial client contact to event execution. This includes driving sales by building strong client relationships, maintaining a high standard of service, and ensuring events are flawlessly executed. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and experienced in high-end hospitality or fine dining event management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Business Development:
- Proactively reach out to luxury brands, corporate partners, and high-profile clients to promote the restaurant as a premier event venue.
- Build long-term relationships with clients and past event hosts to drive repeat business.
- Identify market trends and provide strategic recommendations to enhance event offerings.
- Event Planning & Coordination:
- Oversee the planning and execution of all events, ensuring they align with the restaurant brand standards.
- Collaborate closely with the Director of Operations, Executive Chef, kitchen, and front-of-house teams to coordinate event logistics.
- Manage Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), ensuring all event details are clearly communicated and executed flawlessly.
- Host client walkthroughs, tastings, and pre-event meetings to finalize event plans.
- On-Site Event Management:
- Act as the primary point of contact during events, ensuring an exceptional guest experience and addressing any issues promptly.
- Lead post-event debriefs, collect client feedback, and manage continuous improvement initiatives.
- Administrative Duties:
- Manage event contracts, timelines, budgets, and post-event financial reconciliations.
- Oversee the event calendar and ensure optimal use of the venue for revenue-generating activities.
- Respond to event inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
- Assist with marketing initiatives, including event promotion and maintaining a social media presence.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in event management, sales, or hospitality, preferably in a luxury or fine dining environment.
- Proven track record of driving event sales and executing high-end events.
- Skills:
- Strong organizational and project management skills with an exceptional eye for detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with high-profile clients.
- Ability to manage multiple events simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and event management platforms.
- Experience with Toast, SevenRooms, and TripleSeat is highly preferred.
- Personal Attributes:
- Passion for hospitality and delivering outstanding guest experiences.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by the event schedule.
What We Offer:
- Opportunity to shape and grow a dynamic, design-forward events program
- Leadership role with meaningful ownership and creative input
- Collaborative and hospitality-driven culture
- Competitive salary + performance incentives
- Benefits package
