Director of Conference Services

Director Of Conference Services A brand-new luxury oceanfront resort in Fort Lauderdale is seeking an experienced and detail-driven Director Of Conference Services to join its opening leadership team. This role sits at the heart of ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction for all group-related events while helping craft truly memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences. Working in close partnership with Sales, the Executive Chef, and Banquet leadership, the Director will be instrumental in exceeding group expectations while achieving budgeted catering and banquet revenues. The Director Of Conference Services will report to the Director Of Sales & Marketing. The ideal candidate will have outstanding verbal and written communication skills, a commitment to service excellence, and a passion for leading high-performing teams. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a founding team and contribute to the success of a premier new resort. ResponsibilitiesLead, organize, and direct the activities of Senior Conference Services Managers, Conference Services Managers, the Catering & Conference Services Manager, and the Conference Services Coordinator. Ensure all departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines are consistently followed. Anticipate operational needs, forecast results, and optimize workflow for maximum efficiency. Drive financial outcomes by ensuring adherence to contract terms, increasing F&B spend above minimums, enforcing room rental for underperformance, and applying attrition where applicable. Oversee the overall condition and presentation of all function rooms and Conference Services equipment. Provide leadership, motivation, and training for all department personnel. Participate in final interviews and manage hiring for all departmental positions. Maintain strong relationships with outside vendors supporting the Catering & Conference Services operation. Establish efficient office procedures that support smooth departmental operations. Ensure banquet revenue goals are achieved. Facilitate effective communication between Sales, Banquets, Operations, and the Food & Beverage Division. Maintain a strong working partnership with the Banquet Manager to ensure seamless event execution. Forecast public room revenue and meeting covers annually, quarterly, and monthly. Uphold department standards and ensure compliance with all company policies. Create and review monthly/quarterly performance benchmarks for Conference Services Managers. Attend daily RevMax meetings, BEO meetings, and weekly resume meetings. Conduct daily walkthroughs of all function spaces and spot-check meeting room setups. Maintain exceptional presentation standards for all event space, including scheduled cleaning programs. Ensure all equipment is in working order and adhere to preventative maintenance schedules. Oversee consistent, high-quality meeting room setups. Manage the turnover process from Sales to Conference Services, ensuring all requirements are fulfilled. Oversee coordination of the resort's function books. Advise department heads of group needs and special requirements. Review in-house groups daily and act immediately to resolve any issues. Attend outside meetings as required. Maintain relationships with peers at other hotels and resorts. Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings and monthly departmental meetings. Qualifications3+ years of experience leading a Conference/Convention Services department in an upscale hotel or resort. Demonstrated success motivating teams to exceed goals while delivering exceptional guest service. Strong understanding of forecasting, budgeting, labor scheduling, P&L analysis, productivity, inventory controls, and food & beverage cost management. Strong technical proficiency; experience with systems such as Micros and Birchstreet preferred. Ability to track and analyze departmental performance trends and implement corrective actions. Proven leadership skills, including talent development, mentorship, and corrective coaching when necessary. Experience collaborating with sales and catering leadership to ensure accurate event execution. Flexibility to work varied hours during peak periods and major events.