Description

Senior Director of Hospitality

Reports to: Chief Programming Officer & Manager of the ArtsQuest Center

Direct Reports: Hospitality Sales Manager(s), Hospitality Assistant

Position Overview:

The Senior Director of Hospitality is accountable for the design, planning, implementation and fulfillment of all private, corporate, and group rental events for all ArtsQuest venues and programs. Responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with Members, Sponsors, Donors, and corporate and social clients/guests. Responsible for lead revenue generation, business development, and hospitality operations across all ArtsQuest venues through strategic sales initiatives, exceptional client service and executional excellence. Collaborate with internal departments, food and beverage partners, vendors and external stakeholders to deliver unique guest experiences and exceed client expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a multi-year hospitality and venue rental strategy aligned with ArtsQuest's organizational goals.
• Identify and evaluate new revenue opportunities, partnerships and hospitality offerings to drive growth.
• Monitor market trends, competitor offerings and customer insights to enhance ArtsQuest's competitive position.
• Establish annual sales goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for hospitality operations and venue rentals.
• Develop, manage and monitor annual operating budget for Hospitality department operations, ensuring achievement of revenue and profitability goals.
• Coordinate with Levy Restaurants (or current F&B Concessionaire) to develop and sell food and beverage packages for all rental events at ArtsQuest venues.
• Consult with corporations, individuals, and groups to create and sell the experience they envision for their event at one of ArtsQuest's venues or events.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with regional business organizations, tourism agencies, community partners and economic development groups to increase awareness of ArtsQuest hospitality and rental opportunities.
• Collaborate with multiple departments including Visual Arts, Programming, Production and Retail to create packages for corporate events, teambuilding activities, tour companies, and other groups to utilize ArtsQuest venues and events for their activities.

• Establish, optimize and monitor sales processes, systems and performance metrics that drive efficiency, accountability and customer satisfaction.

• Oversee the operation and fulfillment of contract agreements for all private and hospitality events to ensure compliance with organization policies, insurance requirements and risk management standards.
• Direct the Hospitality department for coordination and execution of all events, including BEO creation and communications, contracting and invoicing, event planning and execution, and final payment.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct coaching and performance evaluations, and support professional growth and success planning for Hospitality team members.
• Create and maintain a positive work environment by fostering team spirit, recognition, and engagement.
• Address employee concerns and conflicts professionally and promptly while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and mutual respect.
• Guide the team through any organizational changes and process updates, ensuring smooth transitions.
• Collaborate with the ArtsQuest team to create fundraising and cultivation events for the development of new members and partners.
• Work with the Operations department to oversee the operation of all Hospitality/rental events.
• Work with the Finance department to ensure proper accounting of all revenues and expenses for related events and private functions.
• Work with the Marketing department to ensure complete and accurate information on websites and promotions as well as strategy to promote rental business and all hospitality offerings throughout the year.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible hospitality, venue management, event operations, hotel, catering or related experience, including at least five (5) years in a senior leadership role overseeing teams, budgets and revenue generation.
• Proven ability to achieve revenue and profitability targets aligned with annual budget.
• Strong contract negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of the Lehigh Valley business community.
• Ability to design, implement, and direct multiple projects, set deadlines and ensure program accountability.
• Professional communication, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CRM platforms, event management software, and data reporting tools; experience with Raiser's Edge or similar CRM systems preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Extremely organized, initiative-taking, and energetic work ethic with strong time-management skills.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Regularly required to communicate, either verbally and/or in writing. Frequently required to stand; walk, stoop, bend, crawl, kneel; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds, and up to 25 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable assistance.

Frequently required to travel between our facilities, using reliable transportation. Employee may

occasionally be required to travel offsite for business meetings.

Employee should have the ability to read, write and communicate in English; bi-lingual ability in Spanish or other language is a plus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time management level position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., however the employee must be willing and able to work outside normal business hours to support our events and activities throughout the year as needed, including evenings, weekend and holidays when necessary and during events and festivals.

Travel: Travel is required between buildings, for off-site meetings and events and is expected for this position. Employee to have a valid driver's license and reliable means of transportation to enable them to travel between our buildings, facilities and festivals.

Working Conditions

• ArtsQuest offices are smoke-free.
• Ability to work harmoniously in a diverse office environment
• Normal working environment is mostly indoors, however, the ability to work indoors and outdoors in all types of weather conditions during festivals and events is required.

FLSA Status: Exempt/in-person