Director of Events and Dining

Philadelphia Museum of Art•Philadelphia, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Events and Dining serves as a strategic leader overseeing the museum’s revenue-generating dining services, facility rentals, and hospitality experiences. This senior-level role is responsible for ensuring exceptional quality, operational excellence, and alignment with the museum’s mission. As the principal liaison with the museum’s third-party food and beverage provider, the Director ensures delivery of a best-in-class experience for museum visitors, clients, and event guests. The Director is expected to exercise sound judgment, lead with professionalism, and operate independently under the leadership of the CFO and Head of Operations

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in Business, Hospitality Management, or related field preferred.
Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality, event management, or facility operations, preferably in a cultural or nonprofit setting.
Demonstrated success in revenue generation, vendor management, and high-profile client engagement.
Strong financial acumen, including budget development, contract negotiation, and performance analysis.
Excellent judgment, professionalism, and ability to work across all levels of an organization.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic vision, planning, and execution of all events and dining programs, with accountability for performance, revenue generation, and brand alignment.
Serve as the museum’s senior authority on event management and hospitality, setting high standards for event service, operational execution, and financial stewardship.
Act as the senior relationship manager with the museum’s food and beverage partner, driving collaboration, performance monitoring, and strategic alignment.
Represent Events and Dining leadership on cross-functional strategic committees and senior planning initiatives.
Direct the lifecycle of all private and internal events, from inquiry to execution, ensuring seamless coordination across museum departments.
Oversee and enforce space utilization priorities in alignment with institutional programming and mission-driven activities.
Define and enforce standard operating procedures and decision-making frameworks related to event bookings, exceptions, and internal service levels.
Ensure robust risk mitigation, safety compliance, and preservation of museum assets in all event and hospitality operations.
Develop and manage the annual operating budget and marketing plan in coordination with Finance and external partners.
Monitor revenue performance, expense controls, and profitability of all events and dining programs; lead regular financial reviews with CFO and Head of Operations.
Collaborate with Finance to assess vendor reporting, ensuring accuracy and transparency in commissions, guarantees, and shared earnings.
Deliver monthly executive reporting packages, including analysis, corrective actions, and forecasts.
Lead and mentor cross-departmental project teams; establish clear performance standards and accountability systems for internal stakeholders and external partners.
Champion a culture of excellence, inclusiveness, and proactive communication among operational teams supporting visitor-facing services.
Serve as an institutional ambassador to external clients, donors, and dignitaries during high-profile museum events.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, permitting, and food safety standards.
Maintain clear and consistent documentation for contracts, agreements, and approvals related to events and dining operations.

Benefits

Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
Discounted guest tickets for admission
Discounts on gift memberships
Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
Health savings or flexible spending account program
Retirement savings program with museum match
Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays