Banquets & Special Events Director (Salary)

Mauna Kea Resorts • Waimea, HI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Mauna Kea Resort, every event is an opportunity to create unforgettable experiences. From intimate celebrations and luxury weddings to large-scale conferences, banquets, and signature resort events, our Banquet and Special Events team brings the spirit of Aloha to life through exceptional service, creative execution, and meticulous attention to detail. As part of our iconic collection of resorts, we are committed to delivering memorable experiences that exceed expectations and showcase the highest standards of hospitality. We are seeking a Director of Banquets and Special Events who is a dynamic and strategic hospitality leader with a passion for service excellence, operational leadership, and event innovation. This role is ideal for a results-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building strong client relationships, and has a proven ability to lead teams in delivering exceptional events while achieving financial and operational goals. Our culture is built on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. We empower our leaders to inspire their teams, develop innovative solutions, and create experiences that leave lasting impressions on our guests and clients. Here, your leadership will shape the success of one of the resort's most visible and impactful operations while fostering a culture of excellence, engagement, and teamwork. As a Hawaii Business Magazine "Best Places to Work" recipient for five consecutive years, we are committed to investing in our people through competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, career development opportunities, recognition programs, and outstanding travel perks through Marriott and Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. If you are ready to lead exceptional events, inspire high-performing teams, and contribute to the continued success of one of Hawaiʻi's premier resort destinations, we invite you to join us.

Requirements

• 4 year college with degree; or minimum 2 years related work experience
• Must be personable, tactful, patient, tolerant, assertive and self-motivated.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all banquet and special event operations at Mauna Kea Resort, ensuring exceptional client service, flawless event execution, and strong financial performance.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Banquet team while collaborating closely with Culinary, Catering and Conference Services, Food & Beverage, Stewarding, and other operational departments to deliver seamless and memorable event experiences.
• Drive department revenue and profitability, maintaining operational excellence, developing and coaching team members, and ensuring all events are executed to the highest standards of quality and professionalism.
• Serve as a key partner in creating innovative event experiences while fostering strong client relationships and ensuring that every banquet, meeting, conference, wedding, and resort event reflects the exceptional hospitality standards of Mauna Kea Resort.
• Review all written communication, i.e., resumes, daily/weekly, Banquet Event Orders to determine appropriate staffing levels, room/station assignments, buffet décor and enhancements as they relate to banquets and meeting room set-ups.
• Responsible for the appropriate and timely set up of all functions and meetings while maintaining standards of food, beverage and meeting specifications.
• Maintain a strong client relationship and ensuring that all convention specifications are communicated to and executed by all hotel operating departments making for a successful meeting experience for the meeting planner and attendees.
• Work with the Director of Catering and Conference Services, Executive Chef, Director of F&B, and Director of Restaurants in ensuring an exceptional guest experience through: Delivery of restaurant-quality service, Timely, consistent, and detailed event sets and maintenance, Development of creative event and meeting presentations.
• Manage the Mauna Kea Luau, including operations, staffing, vendors, and third-party sales.
• Manage, in conjunction with the Executive Steward, the inventory, control and breakage/loss reduction of china, glass and silver as it relates to function services and banquet services.
• Manage the Banquet Houseman team to ensure proper care and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and props.
• Develop and manage annual Banquet Department capital improvement projects.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of a training plan to ensure a high quality presentation and level of customer service within the Banquet and Outlet service staff.
• Work with the individual outlet managers to improve and maintain food and beverage quality, service, cleanliness, merchandising, and promotions.
• Move throughout facilities and kitchen areas to visually monitor and take action to ensure food quality and service standards are met.
• Maintain profitability of the Banquet departments to support overall hotel operation.
• Direct the control of payroll, beverage, and controllable expenses to minimize loss and misuse.
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with other departments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required.
• Attend division and hotel meetings and events.
• Meet regularly with Director of Food and Beverage to review Banquet performance.
• Perform administrative tasks such as processing of Banquet gratuities, budgets and forecasting, scheduling, and manager/team member coaching and counseling.

Benefits

• competitive pay
• comprehensive benefits
• career development opportunities
• recognition programs
• outstanding travel perks through Marriott and Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director