Year Round
Classic, consistent quality from a winning team!PURPOSE OF POSITIONThe Director of Catering & Events provides strategic leadership for the resort's catering, conference services, weddings, and special events business. This position is responsible for driving revenue growth, leading a high-performing sales, conference services and event team, cultivating key client relationships, and ensuring the flawless execution of group, social and public events that reflect the resort's hospitality standards.
As a member of the resort's leadership team, the Director collaborates closely with Sales & Marketing, Food & Beverage, Banquets, Culinary, Lodging, Finance, and Resort Operations to maximize group revenue, enhance the guest experience, and achieve the resort's financial and operational goals. The Director is a member of Deer Valley's Strategic Alignment team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Sales Leadership
- Develop and execute annual catering and conference sales strategies aligned with overall resort revenue objectives.
- Lead all sales efforts for corporate meetings, conferences, incentive travel, weddings, social events, and destination group business.
- Identify new market opportunities and expand relationships with corporate clients, event planners, destination management companies, and industry partners.
- Establish pricing strategies and oversee contract negotiations to maximize profitability while maintaining the resort's position.
- Collaborate with the Director of Group Sales to develop annual business plans, forecasts, and revenue targets.
Revenue & Financial Management
- Own the annual catering and conference revenue budget and consistently achieve or exceed established goals.
- Analyze market trends, booking pace, competitive positioning, and demand forecasts to optimize pricing and business mix.
- Monitor key performance indicators, including conversion rates, average check, revenue per event, banquet profitability, and guest satisfaction metrics.
- Partner with Finance to ensure accurate forecasting, billing, and financial reporting.
- Recommend capital improvements and operational investments that enhance event capabilities and revenue generation.
Leadership & Talent Development
- Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing Catering Sales and Conference Services team, as well as the resorts Public Events Manager and Event Specialist.
- Establish individual and team performance goals, conduct evaluations, and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional guest service- the Deer Valley Difference.
- Lead regular sales meetings, event review meetings, and cross-functional planning sessions.
Client & Guest Experience
- Build and maintain relationships with key accounts, repeat clients, industry partners, and VIP guests.
- Participate in major client presentations, site visits, and contract negotiations.
- Ensure every client receives personalized, proactive service from initial inquiry through post-event follow-up.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee conference services and event execution to ensure seamless coordination across all resort departments.
- Lead weekly banquet event order (BEO) meetings and operational planning sessions.
- Collaborate with Food & Beverage, Culinary, Banquets, Lodging, Mountain, and Facilities teams to deliver exceptional event experiences.
- Continuously evaluate and improve service standards, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction.
Marketing & Business Development
- Partner with Marketing to develop promotional campaigns targeting group, conference, and wedding markets.
- Represent the resort at industry trade shows, networking events, and professional associations.
- Maintain awareness of industry trends, luxury hospitality innovations, and competitive market conditions.
- Develop strategic partnerships that expand the resort's market presence and group business opportunities.
Compliance & Administration
- Ensure compliance with resort policies, contractual obligations, safety regulations, and brand standards.
- Oversee the use of sales and event management systems, ensuring accurate reporting and documentation.
- Prepare executive reports on revenue performance
QUALIFICATIONSRequired
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
- Seven to ten years of progressive experience in luxury hospitality sales, catering, conference services, or resort operations
- Minimum of five years of leadership experience managing catering, conference sales, or group sales teams.
- Demonstrated success achieving multimillion-dollar catering and conference revenue goals.
- Strong financial acumen with experience developing budgets, forecasts, and pricing strategies.
- Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
- Experience with hotel sales and event management systems such as Delphi, Amadeus Sales & Catering, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
Preferred
- Luxury resort, destination hotel, or ski resort experience.
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), or similar industry certification.
- Knowledge of mountain resort operations and seasonal business cycles.
Core Competencies- Strategic sales leadership revenue optimization
- Executive relationship management
- Financial planning and analysis
- Luxury guest experience
- Team leadership and coaching
- Contract negotiation
- Event operations
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Business development
- Change leadership
- Decision-making under pressure
DATES OF EMPLOYMENTPAY RATE
