General Manager 1 - Conference Center

Sodexo•Washington, DC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

General Manager 1 – Conference Center Location: Washington, DCClient Site: Fannie MaeCompany: Sodexo Corporate Services Are you a dynamic hospitality leader who thrives in high‑profile environments? Do you excel at creating seamless, unforgettable event experiences for executive‑level clients? Sodexo Corporate Services is seeking an exceptional General Manager 1 – Conference Center / Director of Events to join our team at the prestigious Fannie Mae headquarters in Washington, DC. In this influential, client-facing role, you will oversee a premier conference center operation, lead a talented service team, and shape the experience for C‑Suite executives and enterprise‑wide events. If you’re energized by high standards, strategic partnership, and operational excellence, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Your leadership will guide a team of 10 skilled hourly employees—including porters and waitstaff—while collaborating with cross-functional groups to deliver superior service every day. Why This Role Matters As the everyday face of Sodexo to our Fannie Mae partners, you will: Build and sustain high-trust client relationships Identify new, forward-thinking enhancements to elevate the meeting and event experience Play a vital role in the success of one of our most high-profile client accounts This is more than an operational position—it’s an opportunity to champion service excellence at an enterprise level. Incentives M-F 8am to 5pm with some evenings What You'll Do Your Areas of Impact You will coordinate and elevate the full spectrum of event and meeting operations, including: Event & Hospitality Operations Oversee conference services, meeting planning, catering, banquets, and premium food & beverage experiences Serve as lead liaison supporting C‑Suite executives and high-level client partners Drive excellence in both daily operations and large-scale, multi-day event production Cross-Department Collaboration Partner closely with teams in: Hospitality and front desk services Housekeeping Audiovisual/technology Finance, HR, Sales & Marketing Leadership & Development Mentor and develop management team members Guide event team members across additional client locations Act as the primary point of contact for all enterprise-level event needs What We Offer Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include: Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions Paid Time Off and Company Holidays Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire. What You Bring We’re looking for a polished, service‑driven leader with: Strong expertise in catering and high-end banquet service Experience in Client Dining Services and AV/event management systems A background in events or conference center operations, including large-scale or multi-day productions Proven success managing union hourly staff A passion for innovation and elevating the client experience Who We Are At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide. Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Requirements

Strong expertise in catering and high-end banquet service
Experience in Client Dining Services and AV/event management systems
A background in events or conference center operations, including large-scale or multi-day productions
Proven success managing union hourly staff
A passion for innovation and elevating the client experience
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 5 years of work experience in hospitality services including hotel management, conference center services, food services, etc.

Responsibilities

Oversee conference services, meeting planning, catering, banquets, and premium food & beverage experiences
Serve as lead liaison supporting C‑Suite executives and high-level client partners
Drive excellence in both daily operations and large-scale, multi-day event production
Mentor and develop management team members
Guide event team members across additional client locations
Act as the primary point of contact for all enterprise-level event needs