Summary Statement:
The Executive Director, Catering & Conference Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the resort's catering and conference services function. This position is accountable for developing and executing departmental strategy, maximizing catering and group food and beverage revenue, optimizing function space, ensuring exceptional event execution, and strengthening long-term client relationships. The Executive Director leads departmental performance, talent development, financial planning, cross-functional coordination, service standards, and continuous improvement to deliver successful group experiences consistent with the standards of Resorts World Las Vegas.
- Primary Job Duties: - Includes but is not limited to:
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for Catering & Conference Services, translating resort and division goals into departmental priorities, service standards, operating plans, and measurable results.
- Lead the end-to-end transition and servicing of group business from contract turnover through event execution, billing, post-conference review, and client follow-up.
- Drive catering, banquet, group food and beverage, and function-space revenue by establishing strategies for upselling, space optimization, pricing discipline, repeat business, and conversion of new opportunities.
- Oversee departmental forecasting, budgeting, revenue pacing, production reporting, expense management, and financial performance; identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
- Ensure accurate review and administration of sales contracts, room blocks, cutoff dates, concessions, attrition provisions, deposits, credit requirements, and other commitments affecting group execution and profitability.
- Establish standards and quality controls for proposals, menus, contracts, Banquet Event Orders, resumes, forecasts, billing instructions, and all client-facing and operational documentation.
- Provide executive oversight for complex, high-profile, and large-scale conferences, conventions, catering programs, and property events, ensuring all requirements are communicated and delivered.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for clients, meeting planners, and internal stakeholders; resolve complex service, contractual, operational, and financial matters in a timely and professional manner.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with key clients, meeting professionals, industry partners, and internal business leaders to strengthen loyalty, retention, and future business opportunities.
- Partner with Sales, Banquets, Food and Beverage, Culinary, Hotel Operations, Finance, Revenue Management, Audio Visual, Security, Facilities, and other departments to ensure coordinated planning and seamless execution.
- Lead pre-conference strategy, operational readiness, and post-event review processes for priority groups, ensuring commitments, service expectations, and opportunities for improvement are clearly addressed.
- Develop and implement department policies, procedures, service standards, workflows, and performance measures that improve accountability, consistency, efficiency, and the guest experience.
- Recruit, select, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing leadership and professional team; establish clear expectations, succession plans, development priorities, and performance accountability.
- Create a culture of collaboration, service excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement while modeling the company's values and leadership expectations.
- Monitor market trends, client expectations, competitive practices, and industry developments; recommend new programs, technology, products, and service enhancements that support business growth.
- Ensure departmental compliance with company policies, contract terms, internal controls, applicable laws, safety requirements, and position-specific licensing requirements.
- Provide executive updates and recommendations regarding departmental performance, business outlook, client feedback, operational challenges, and strategic opportunities.
- Use personal device/cellular phone for job-related operational tasks, job duties, review of company documents, and related business needs.
- Perform other job-related duties as requested.
Qualifications: - Includes but is not limited to:
- Advanced knowledge of luxury resort catering, convention services, banquet operations, contract administration, event planning, and group business processes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead leaders and professional teams, establish strategic priorities, manage performance, and develop talent.
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to develop and manage budgets, analyze forecasts and performance reports, and make data-informed business decisions.
- Exceptional executive presence, communication, negotiation, presentation, relationship-management, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to lead complex, high-profile events and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with excellent attention to detail.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft applications and relevant catering, sales, event-diagramming, hotel, and customer relationship management systems.
- Ability to obtain and maintain full knowledge and understanding of company and department rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and service standards.
- Ability to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on business needs.
Minimum Education and Experience: - At least 21 years of age.
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- At least ten years of progressive experience in catering, convention services, conference services, banquet operations, hotel sales, or a related field.
- At least seven years of leadership experience, including responsibility for managers or department leaders, in a luxury resort, convention hotel, or comparable complex hospitality environment.
Preferred:
- CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and/or CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering & Events) designation.
- Working knowledge of Delphi, Opera, and Social Tables or comparable platforms.
- Executive leadership experience in a large, luxury, integrated resort or convention hotel environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Hotel Administration, or a related field.
Certificates, Licenses, Regulations:
- Proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
- Position required licenses.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- How is work typically performed? Office / Conference Environment.
- Must be tolerant to varying conditions of noise level, temperature, illumination and air quality.
- Prolonged sitting/standing.
- Bending and reaching.
- Transporting, pushing, pulling, lifting and maneuvering items weighing up to 10 lbs.
- Eye/hand coordination.
- Ability to comply with Policies and Procedures, Job Description, daily memorandums, chemical labels (SDS) and other instructions.
