Director of Banquets - Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

The Condado Collection•San Juan, PR

About The Position

The Director of Banquets directs and oversees banquet operations at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, ensuring high standards of service, presentation, cleanliness, organization, and efficiency for every event. The role oversees execution of banquet event orders and coordinates event details, including guest preferences, timelines, room setups, menus, service sequences, and special requests. It champions personalized, anticipatory service aligned with the hotel’s luxury standards and applicable Forbes Travel Guide expectations. The director collaborates with Culinary, Sales & Catering, Stewarding, Engineering, Housekeeping, and other departments to coordinate events seamlessly. The position leads the recruitment, training, coaching, evaluation, scheduling, and development of banquet managers, supervisors, captains, and service associates. It also maintains client and guest relationships, leads event briefings and pre-shift meetings, inspects spaces and setups, and remains visible during events. The role oversees labor planning, payroll, inventory, equipment use, and departmental expenses while controlling costs and maintaining service quality. It ensures compliance with hotel policies and food safety, sanitation, responsible alcohol service, and health and safety standards; identifies opportunities to improve service and operations; and takes ownership of departmental results and other responsibilities assigned by hotel executive leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
At least four years of banquet operations experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
Strong knowledge of Food & Beverage operations, banquet service standards, and event execution.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with guests, clients, and team members at all levels.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Professional demeanor, strong leadership presence, and commitment to exceptional guest service and attention to detail.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and perform in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a luxury hotel or upscale hospitality environment.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee banquet operations, ensuring high standards of service, presentation, cleanliness, organization, and operational efficiency.
Review and oversee execution of banquet event orders, including event specifications, guest preferences, timelines, room setups, menus, service sequences, and special requests.
Promote personalized, anticipatory, detail-oriented service consistent with luxury standards and applicable Forbes Travel Guide expectations.
Coordinate with Culinary, Sales & Catering, Stewarding, Engineering, Housekeeping, and other departments for event execution.
Recruit, train, mentor, coach, and develop banquet managers, supervisors, captains, and service associates.
Set performance expectations, conduct evaluations, manage scheduling and staffing, and address performance concerns in accordance with hotel policies and procedures.
Lead or oversee pre-convention meetings, event briefings, and daily pre-shift meetings.
Build relationships with clients and guests, anticipate needs, respond to requests, and resolve service challenges professionally and effectively.
Inspect banquet spaces, table settings, service stations, equipment, and event presentation for compliance with standards.
Oversee labor planning, payroll, inventory, equipment utilization, and departmental expenses while maximizing productivity and controlling costs.
Ensure compliance with hotel policies, food safety requirements, sanitation procedures, responsible alcohol service regulations, and health and safety standards.
Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, operational processes, team performance, and the banquet experience.
Maintain a visible leadership presence during events, take ownership of departmental results, and perform additional responsibilities as assigned by hotel executive leadership.